# Xkey Piano vs Patch Base

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Xkey Piano at none against Patch Base's 31. Xkey Piano also leads on iOS requirement (7.0 vs 13.0). Patch Base's advantage is review sentiment (53% vs 20%) and rating (3.4 vs 3.1). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Patch Base sells 31 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Xkey Piano asks for nothing beyond the download.

Patch Base holds the better App Store score, 3.4 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Patch Base has 85 ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 20% of Xkey Piano's written reviews are positive against 53% of Patch Base's.

## The numbers

| Metric | Xkey Piano | Patch Base |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.1 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xkey-piano/id971683503/reviews) | **[3.4 (85 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/patch-base/id1070270299/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 7 | **85** |
| Positive reviews | 20.0% of reviews | **52.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | — | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 42 MB | 65 MB |
| Requires iOS | **7.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ESI Audiotechnik GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/1627424644) | [Coffeeshopped LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/316294867) |

## What reviewers say

### Xkey Piano

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xkey-piano/id971683503)

This app transforms your iPad into a mobile piano, offering a full-size MIDI keyboard experience. It's designed to work seamlessly with a CME Xkey keyboard but can also be used on its own for musical exploration.

**Highlights:** Use iPad as a mobile piano, Connect and use CME Xkey keyboard, Select various instruments, Adjust tempo and use metronome, Experience polyphonic aftertouch

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Patch Base

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/patch-base/id1070270299)

This app allows users to visualize, edit, and organize patches for a wide range of hardware synthesizers. It offers real-time parameter editing, patch bank management, and the ability to create random or initial patches. Users can also test sounds with an on-screen keyboard.

**Highlights:** Visualize synth patches, Real-time parameter editing, Manage patch banks, Create random patches, On-screen keyboard for sound testing, Extensive synthesizer support

**In-app purchases (31)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Patch Base: Monthly | $5.99 | per month |
| All Access: Annual | $59.99 | per year |
| Casio CZ-101 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Oberheim Matrix-6r | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha DX7 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha TX7 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Ensoniq ESQ-1 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Korg Volca FM | $29.99 | one-time |
| Korg microKorg | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland JD-Xi | $29.99 | one-time |
| Korg Minilogue | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland JV-1080 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Waldorf Blofeld | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland D-50 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland D-05 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland D-110 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Novation Bass Station II | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha DX100 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Access Virus TI Snow | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha TG33 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland JV-1010 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha SY77 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland XV-5050 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha TX81Z | $29.99 | one-time |
| Oberheim Matrix-1000 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Korg Volca FM2 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Oberheim Matrix-6 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha DX7II | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland JV-880 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha Reface DX | $29.99 | one-time |
| All Access | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Intuitive and logical interface design
- 🎛️ Comprehensive parameter editing for supported synths
- 💾 Excellent patch management and librarian features
- 📱 Works seamlessly across iPad and Mac
- 🔄 iCloud integration for patch backup and sync

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 High pricing model ($30 per synth or subscription)
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues
- ❌ No free trial without subscription commitment
- 📖 Poor documentation and lack of tutorials
- 🔌 Inconsistent MIDI connectivity and configuration

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on iOS 14.2 and other versions
- MIDI buffer full errors with DX7IIFD
- Sysex transfer stalls and timeouts
- Cannot access operators 4-6 on Volca FM
- Algorithm changes crash app

**Requested features**

- MFB Dominion 1 editor
- Arturia Microfreak randomizer
- Novation Circuit Tracks support
- Korg Wavestate editor
- Roland MKS-70 and MKS-80 controllers


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Xkey Piano free?

Xkey Piano is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Patch Base free?

Patch Base is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Xkey Piano or Patch Base?

Patch Base is rated higher. Xkey Piano averages 3.1 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while Patch Base averages 3.4 from 85 ratings.

### Do Xkey Piano or Patch Base have ads?

Neither Xkey Piano nor Patch Base shows ads.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*