Comparison

modstep vs Factory

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

Head to head
About

modstep

Create music with a powerful MIDI sequencer for iPad. Control external hardware, IAA apps, and Audio Units. Features unlimited tracks, real-time editing, and integrated synths/samplers for on-the-go or studio production.

Highlights
  • Session-style MIDI sequencer
  • Unlimited tracks and scenes
  • Real-time editing and modulation
  • Integrated synth and sampler
  • IAA and Audio Unit integration
  • Ableton Link sync
  • MIDI and Audio export
Features
Read full description

Modstep Introducing Modstep, Modulation Monster and the first full-blown MIDI sequencer for the iPad. Modstep allows you to create music and jam with your iPad and your favorite IAA Apps, Audio Units, Mac and PC software and MIDI hardware as well as the internal drum sampler and synth. Use it as the centerpiece of your setup to create and perform music on the go, in the studio and on stage. "If you´re looking for a versatile, adaptable MIDI sequencer for iOS, Modstep comes highly recommended" Sound On Sound “Modstep could change how an iPad fits into your music making” CDM “If you’ve ever dreamed of a touchscreen brain for your studio, this is it.” FACTMag "Modstep is a great step forward for step sequencing.” Audionewsroom FEATURES: -Session-style MIDI sequencer with unlimited tracks & scenes. -Play individual clips or whole scenes, or use the included arrangement features to manage more sophisticated song-structures. -Clips are pattern based which allows quick edits on the fly. Set a variable speed per pattern. -Edit clips with either the Step Sequencer or the Piano Roll -Step Sequencer with active steps and step-shifting. -Piano Roll with variable quantization including triplets, access to modulations, velocities and scales. -Everything can be edited, arranged, modulated or changed in real-time. -Note Repeat from 1-48th to 1/4th. -Global Swing -Unlimited MIDI & Audio tracks - only restricted by the power of your iPad. -Tempo range from 20 to 999bpm. -Sync via Ableton Link. -Stable and low-latency MIDI Clock In & Out with latency adjustment. -Trigger out -integrated global keyboard with scales & drum-pads allow quick recording of individual tracks with a single surface. -Use an external controller or keyboard to control, record or play any given track. -Midi mappable via external MIDI controllers -Internal additive synth with up to 64 harmonics per voice, 3-band eq, delay, reverb, lfo and detune. -Internal sampler with pitch, volume, reverse, fx per slot, 3 band-eq, delay and reverb. -Integrate any IAA compatible app or Audio Unit as an instrument or effect. -unlimited number of effects per track. -Audiobus support. -convenient plugin management via drag and drop. -Integrated mixer with Arm, Mute, Solo per track -Any loaded instrument or external MIDI hardware is completely modulatable via CCs. -Up to 128 CC modulations per track. -Audio and MIDI streaming directly via charger cable to Mac and PC using studiomux technology -Export sample perfect loops of audio per track. Choose which channels to record. The internal quantization will make sure they are sample-perfect and ready for any DAW. -Import / Export of MIDI files. -Import / Export of Audio & MIDI files via AudioShare. -A sophisticated template system allows quick setup of tracks to control external MIDI hardware, apps or plugins. -Includes many preconfigured templates for popular external hardware. -Template editor to create your own templates for IAA Apps, desktop Apps and external MIDI devices -Supports all MIDI interfaces for the iPad -Works on all iPads (iPad 1 restricted to MIDI only) Requirements: iOS 8 or later for audio and MIDI streaming to a Mac or PC, the studiomux server software is required: get the latest for free at studiomux.net Manual: You can find the manual here: http://www.modstep.net/manual

About

Factory

This app offers a powerful modular synthesizer experience with a vast array of DSP for complex sound design. Explore analog-style oscillators, wavetable synthesis, and a dynamic signal flow with a unique morph crossfader. Easily find and manage sounds with a tagged preset browser.

Highlights
  • Modular synthesizer with extensive modulation matrix
  • Multiple synthesis types including wavetable and analog
  • Dynamic signal flow with 3-FX chain
  • Morph crossfader for drastic sound changes
  • Preset browser with tagging and rating
  • Sequencers, arpeggiator, and quantizer
Read full description

Made for complex and organic sounds, Factory sports a big modulation matrix with all kinds of features to create a wildlife of sounds. A vast array of DSP is ready to play: Analog style oscillators and filters, but also different flavors of wavetable synthesis, Wavetable driven Waveguide resonators and a 3-FX-Chain in a dynamic signal flow. With the Morph crossfader, sounds can be changed drastically, but always musically. The Preset Browser with tags and rating makes finding sounds easy and fun. Don´t miss out on super sonic modular mayhem and check Factory today! Key Features: • Poly Synth with Mod-Matrix and Sequencers • 2x10 Oscillator Engines • Sub-Oscillator with Ringmodulation • Noise Generator with 5 colors • 8-voice VA-Sync, Wavetable, Waveguide & Fractal Synthesis • 8x10 Mod Matrix with 36 targets • Morph Fader, 2 States & Copy/Paste • Envelopes and LFOs • Sample & Hold Modul • 4x Sequencers for all kinds of Gates and CV's, incl. 36 motion curves, uni/bipolar. • Arpeggiator, Intonation engine, Scale Quantizer • 11 Filter models & 3x Multi-Effect with drag 'n' drop signal flow • Audio Unit v3 & Standalone • Virtual, Network, External & Bluetooth MIDI • Ableton Link • MIDI Learn & Host Automation • Preset iCloud Sync • Preset Share

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Factory at Free against modstep's $9.99. Factory also leads on rating (4.9 vs 2.8) and review sentiment (81% vs 46%). modstep's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months). On ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Factory is free to download; modstep costs $9.99 up front. Factory sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. modstep asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Factory holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 2.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Factory has 487 ratings behind it against 39, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 46% of modstep's written reviews are positive against 81% of Factory's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

modstep ships an update every 3 weeks, Factory every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
modstep versus Factory: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametermodstepFactory
Price$9.99Free — better
Rating2.8 (39 ratings)4.9 (487 ratings) — better
Positive reviews45.8% of reviews81.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings39487 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPadiPad
Requires iOS7.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size99 MB351 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChristian BlomertSugar Bytes GmbH

Customer experience

modstep

All ratings39 ratings
Positive41.0%
Neutral5.1%
Negative53.8%
Written reviews155 reviews
Positive45.8%
Neutral14.2%
Negative40.0%

Factory

All ratings487 ratings
Positive97.3%
Neutral1.0%
Negative1.6%
Written reviews97 reviews
Positive81.4%
Neutral5.2%
Negative13.4%

User reviews

modstep

From 39 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🎛️ Powerful MIDI sequencing capabilities
  • 🎨 Clean and polished user interface design
  • 🔗 Excellent integration with external hardware and IAA/AU apps
  • 🎵 Ableton Live-like clip launching workflow
  • 🎚️ Extensive automation and CC control options

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues
  • ⏸️ App appears abandoned with no recent updates
  • 🔌 IAA/AU instrument loading causes crashes
  • 📖 Poor documentation and lack of tutorials
  • 🎚️ Confusing and unintuitive user interface

Factory

From 487 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Powerful synth engine
  • 👍 Intuitive and easy to use interface
  • 🎨 Vast sound design capabilities
  • 💡 Innovative modulation matrix
  • 🎶 Inspiring and unique presets

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes and freezes
  • 🔌 Compatibility issues with other apps
  • 🖥️ Pixelated interface on high-res displays
  • 🔇 Note-sticking problems

Bugs and requests

modstep

Reported bugs

18 issues
  • App crashes when loading external IAA/AU instruments
  • Constant clicking sound with metronome off
  • Projects fail to load or require multiple restart attempts
  • MIDI input routing ignores channel settings
  • Track names change when using 'save as' function
Show 13 more
  • App crashes when adding second synth to project
  • Black screen on startup
  • Crashes when editing notes in pattern editor
  • MIDI note hanging and stuck notes
  • Random crashes during playback or editing
  • Instruments deleted after app crash
  • Inter-app audio broken on newer iOS versions
  • App crashes when deleting tracks
  • Editing while playing causes crashes
  • Clip deletion causes crashes
  • IAA apps lock in slots
  • Screen goes blank during operation
  • Skipped notes and misfired triggers

Requested features

18 requests
  • Undo/redo functionality
  • MIDI import capability
  • Pre-roll for recording
  • Dedicated mixer with send/returns
  • Audio loop recording and playback
Show 13 more
  • State saving for synth presets
  • Bank MSB/LSB support for program changes
  • Precise CC automation entry
  • Song mode for arrangement
  • MIDI CC scene launching
  • Metronome volume and pan control
  • Note selection tool in piano roll
  • Groove templates
  • Better transposition tools
  • Pan control for instruments
  • Reset function for faders and values
  • AU MIDI plugin support
  • Sample upload over IP

Factory

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Presets not loading correctly in DAW projects
  • CC assignment issues causing controls to freeze

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to modulate morph slider
  • Option to modulate effects parameters individually
  • Arpeggiator with retrigger on key press
  • Better integration with GarageBand and other DAWs

In-app purchases

None

modstep

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Factory

One-time1
  • Factory Full Version$24.99

Questions

Is modstep free?
modstep costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Factory free?
Factory is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, modstep or Factory?
Factory is rated higher. modstep averages 2.8 out of 5 from 39 ratings, while Factory averages 4.9 from 487 ratings.
Do modstep or Factory have ads?
Neither modstep nor Factory shows ads.
Which is updated more often, modstep or Factory?
modstep ships an update every 3 weeks, and Factory every 3 months. Most recently, modstep was updated on November 5, 2026 and Factory on November 3, 2026.

Other comparisons