Launch Buttons vs Grip
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- MIDI controller for music production
- 8x8 button grid
- Scene and transport controls
- Step sequencer (with script)
- Scale mode (with script)
- Apple Watch extension
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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 :)
Grip
Control Ableton Live remotely from your iOS device. Manage transport, recording, track settings, and clips wirelessly. Includes a built-in MIDI keyboard for on-the-go note input.
- Wireless Ableton Live control
- Voice control for transport and recording
- Track arming, soloing, and muting
- Clip launching and scene navigation
- Built-in MIDI keyboard
- Project saving and volume control
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Grip is the missing app for Ableton Live. This app requires Grip Desktop to be running on the same computer as Ableton Live. Download that app first at www.gripforlive.com. Stay in creative flow with Grip: Remote control Ableton from anywhere in your studio, bedroom, or battlestation—at your synth, in the vocal booth, or from the couch. Grip connects to your computer over Wi-Fi as a native Live control surface. No MIDI mapping required. Stop running from your mic to the computer, or having to play guitar near your computer. With Grip, you can literally use your voice to say "record" and play directly into Ableton Live. Keep Grip with you at whatever instrument you're playing, to play, record, undo, redo, and even save from your phone or tablet. TRANSPORT & RECORDING • Control Live with your voice • Play, stop, record, and overdub • Undo and redo • Preview and record into scenes • Quickly loop between sections of your song in arrangement • Pre-roll recording before your locators • Toggle metronome • Save your project from your phone • Change volume • Arm, solo, and mute tracks MIXER & NAVIGATION • Record & launch clips, move and copy them between tracks and scenes on the session view • Jump to locators • Launch scenes • Scrub through your arrangement with your finger • Switch between session and arrangement view • Mixer controls for volume, sends, pan, and arm/solo • Insert, duplicate, or delete tracks or scenes • Rename locators and scenes MIDI PIANO & DRUM PAD • Built-in piano for playing notes into Live • Push-like drum pad for playing notes or drum kits • Requires the Mac version of Grip. (Windows support for MIDI forthcoming.)
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Grip at 100% against Launch Buttons's 38%. Grip also leads on rating (5.0 vs 2.2) and monetization model (free vs freemium). Launch Buttons's advantage is ratings volume (41 vs 2) and iOS requirement (7.0 vs 15.1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Grip holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Launch Buttons has 41 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 38% of Launch Buttons's written reviews are positive against 100% of Grip's.
Launch Buttons ships an update every 2 months, Grip every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Launch Buttons | Grip |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.2 (41 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 38.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 41 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 7.0 — better | 15.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 26 MB | 54 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | XAN Software GmbH & Co. KG | Adam Baker |
Customer experience
Launch Buttons
Grip
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
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- 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
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- 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
Grip
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Launch Buttons
No in-app purchases
Grip
No in-app purchases







