Comparison

Motion Synth vs MIDI FX

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

Head to head
About

Motion Synth

This app turns your iPhone or iPod touch into a musical instrument. Play notes with touch and control sound with motion. It can be used standalone, with other iOS music apps, or even external hardware and laptop software.

Highlights
  • Play notes via touch
  • Shape sound through motion
  • Control in-app sounds
  • Control other iOS music apps
  • Control external hardware synths
  • Control laptop audio/visual software
Features
Read full description

Music through motion: The AUUG Motion Synth transforms your iPhone or iPod touch into an expressive musical instrument that lets you play notes via touch and shape their sound through motion. Visit http://www.auug.com to see a demonstration video. Available here is the free version of the AUUG Motion Synth App, designed to allow users to easily experience motion-based music creation. Follow the in-app video tutorial to learn how to play the musical instrument sounds included with the app (See 'SETUP VIDEO' button). An upgraded version of the app is also available, and has been carefully designed to work with the AUUG Motion Synth Grip. Together, the Motion Synth App and Grip transform your iPhone or iPod touch into a practical and powerful musical instrument. Get yours here: http://www.auug.com/order/ ------ Play in-app sounds, iOS music apps (e.g. GarageBand), or laptop software through movement: The AUUG Motion Synth tracks your movements and screen touches to expressively play in-app musical sounds. The AUUG Motion Synth also allows you to play the sounds of other iOS music apps, giving you access to a vast array of sounds and effects. You can also play external devices like hardware synths or vocal harmonizers as well as control audio or visual software on a laptop (via WiFi or cabled connections). The Motion Synth app is also compatible with the Music IO app, allowing you to control your laptop software via your iPhone cable (Lightning). ------ Use the Motion Synth App by itself or with a Motion Synth Grip: The Motion Synth App has two modes: 1) Single-Key mode (free version): This Motion Synth App mode allows you to quickly engage with motion-based music control, and includes tutorial videos explaining how to use the in-app sounds. 2) Multi-Key mode (upgrade): This Motion Synth App mode is designed to work with the AUUG Motion Synth Grip: a physical holder that securely attaches your iPhone or iPod touch to your hand, thereby improving the dexterity and accuracy with which you can trigger notes via the touch screen.

About

MIDI FX

This app allows you to control and process MIDI signals for music creation. It offers features like harmonization, transposition, and sequencing, enabling you to control external or virtual synthesizers and create complex musical arrangements.

Highlights
  • MIDI signal processing
  • Harmonize and Transpose
  • Sequencer for synths
  • Delay and Looper
  • Filter notes by velocity
  • Internal instruments
Features
Read full description

Buy once and get the iOS and Mac apps (with Family Sharing) Control your MIDI signals and process them in any combination of ways: Harmonize, Transpose, Arpeggiate, etc... Or use the Sequencer to play any external or virtual synth. Use a MIDI interface to unlock the power of the app to control multiple synths with one keyboard, play one note and generate chords, basslines, etc... Use the delay/looper or filter notes based on velocity or other parameters to send to different synths/effects. A MIDI workstation in your pocket (or your iPad/Mac) You can also use some internal instruments (drums sampler, piano or synth) if you are away from your MIDI gear, and sequence whole songs inside the app, or use other synth apps as input/output for MIDI FX. Your imagination is the limit!

Screenshots

Motion Synth4 screens
MIDI FX2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: MIDI FX at 5.0 against Motion Synth's 3.5. MIDI FX also leads on update cadence (every 9 days vs every 4 months) and device support (4 vs 2). Motion Synth's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (40 vs 4). On price, ads and monetization model 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. MIDI FX sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Motion Synth asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

MIDI FX holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Motion Synth has 40 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Motion Synth ships an update every 4 months, MIDI FX every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Motion Synth versus MIDI FX: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMotion SynthMIDI FX
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.5 (40 ratings)5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews73.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings40 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS9.0 — better14.7
Further details — not scored
Size48 MB263 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAUUGJorge Arroyo

Customer experience

Motion Synth

All ratings40 ratings
Positive60.0%
Neutral5.0%
Negative35.0%
Written reviews30 reviews
Positive73.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative26.7%

MIDI FX

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Motion Synth

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

MIDI FX

One-time1
  • Unlock app$9.99

Questions

Is Motion Synth free?
Motion Synth is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is MIDI FX free?
MIDI FX is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Motion Synth or MIDI FX?
MIDI FX is rated higher. Motion Synth averages 3.5 out of 5 from 40 ratings, while MIDI FX averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.
Do Motion Synth or MIDI FX have ads?
Neither Motion Synth nor MIDI FX shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Motion Synth or MIDI FX?
Motion Synth ships an update every 4 months, and MIDI FX every 9 days. Most recently, Motion Synth was updated on October 13, 2026 and MIDI FX on October 6, 2026.

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