Comparison

Launch Buttons vs Bluetooth Midi Pads

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Launch Buttons

This app acts as a MIDI controller for music production software, allowing users to perform tracks without needing physical hardware. It offers a grid of buttons, scene and transport controls, and can be expanded with additional features through an in-app purchase.

Highlights
  • MIDI controller for music production
  • 8x8 button grid
  • Scene and transport controls
  • Step sequencer (with script)
  • Scale mode (with script)
  • Apple Watch extension
Features
Read full description

THIS APP DOES NOT PLAY AUDIO BECAUSE IT'S A MIDI CONTROLLER FOR ABLETON LIVE Launch Buttons is a MIDI controller that lets you perform your tracks wherever you go. You don't need to carry your expensive gear; your phone/tablet is just about enough. Works with virtually any DAW after a very simple set up. Ableton + Launchpad 95 script is recommended. This free version gives you access to all 64 buttons on the 8x8 grid, 8 scene launch buttons, 8 buttons to navigate and 7 buttons for transport controls. The Launchpad95 script gives you a step sequencer, scale mode, and many more functions. The Apple Watch extension lets you access about one fifth of the Buttons. This means that you can use the app to control a 3x3 clip launchers, 3 scene launchers, and 4 arrow keys to navigate through your clips. It also can display some of the buttons used for step sequencing, good enough for a little stunt in a live set I'd say. It includes the the "old" colors (red-orange-yellow-green) - if you want to upgrade, Launch Buttons Plus provides you with - full color support (RGB) - 16 more functions buttons (in addition to the 16 you already have) - 16 freely assignable knobs Have fun :)

About

Bluetooth Midi Pads

Transform your iOS device into a wireless MIDI controller. Play your favorite DAWs and instruments on iOS, iPadOS, and desktop using Bluetooth Low Energy MIDI. Features a 16-pad matrix with selectable octaves.

Highlights
  • Wireless MIDI controller
  • 16-pad matrix
  • Selectable octave
  • Bluetooth Low Energy MIDI
  • iOS and iPadOS support
Read full description

Bluetooth Midi Pads turns your iOS and iPadOS devices in a wireless Midi pads controller. Play your favourites iOS, iPadOS and desktop Bluetooth LE Midi DAWs and instruments from your iPhone and iPad. -16 pads matrix. -Selectable octave. -Bluetooth Low Energy Midi. How does it works: Push connect button and in the opened view turn on the switch button. This will make your device discoverable by your Bluetooth MIDI Host, connect it from it and you will can play your MIDI Host from B.M.P.. If your MIDI Host don't support Bluetooth MIDI there are some free apps on the market that creates virtual Bluetooth Midi Ports. Demo video on developer's page.

Screenshots

Launch Buttons2 screens
Bluetooth Midi Pads2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Bluetooth Midi Pads at 4.0 against Launch Buttons's 2.2. Bluetooth Midi Pads also leads on monetization model (free vs freemium). Launch Buttons's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 66 months) and ratings volume (41 vs 3). On price, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Bluetooth Midi Pads holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 2.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Launch Buttons has 41 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Launch Buttons ships an update every 2 months, Bluetooth Midi Pads every 66 months. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Launch Buttons versus Bluetooth Midi Pads: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLaunch ButtonsBluetooth Midi Pads
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.2 (41 ratings)4.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews38.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings41 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 66 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS7.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperXAN Software GmbH & Co. KGpablo lopez

Customer experience

Launch Buttons

All ratings41 ratings
Positive26.8%
Neutral4.9%
Negative68.3%
Written reviews108 reviews
Positive38.0%
Neutral7.4%
Negative54.6%

Bluetooth Midi Pads

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

Bugs and requests

Launch Buttons

Reported bugs

10 issues
  • App doesn't work for many users
  • Cannot connect to Ableton Live
  • Buttons don't respond
  • Pads don't light up
  • Transport controls perform wrong functions
Show 5 more
  • MIDI messages not recognized by Ableton
  • App crashes or freezes
  • Watch app doesn't sync properly
  • Menu overlay bug
  • Occasional lack of sound/light

Requested features

10 requests
  • Make the app fully functional without payment
  • Improve connection stability
  • Iron out minor glitches
  • Add status indicator or labeled buttons
  • Provide visual feedback when buttons are pressed
Show 5 more
  • Allow users to put their own music on it
  • Add USB support
  • Improve watch app synchronization
  • Fix the menu bug where exit button is unpressable
  • Make the free version more functional

Bluetooth Midi Pads

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Launch Buttons

No in-app purchases

None

Bluetooth Midi Pads

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Launch Buttons free?
Launch Buttons is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Bluetooth Midi Pads free?
Bluetooth Midi Pads is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Launch Buttons or Bluetooth Midi Pads?
Bluetooth Midi Pads is rated higher. Launch Buttons averages 2.2 out of 5 from 41 ratings, while Bluetooth Midi Pads averages 4.0 from 3 ratings.
Do Launch Buttons or Bluetooth Midi Pads have ads?
Neither Launch Buttons nor Bluetooth Midi Pads shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Launch Buttons or Bluetooth Midi Pads?
Launch Buttons ships an update every 2 months, and Bluetooth Midi Pads every 66 months. Most recently, Launch Buttons was updated on October 7, 2026 and Bluetooth Midi Pads on September 24, 2026.

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