Hexler
For professional musicians, audio engineers, and multimedia artists requiring bespoke control interfaces for live performance and studio production.
TouchOSC
Snapshot
Who is Hexler?
Providing professional-grade modular control surfaces for multimedia artists to build custom hardware and software interfaces.
Target audience
Portfolio
Free 1Last updated
TouchOSC
v1.5.0
6mo ago
Publisher DNA
What defines Hexler?
Publisher DNA
Primary focus
Professional multimedia and music control tools
Scale
indie
Target audience
Professional musicians, audio engineers, and multimedia artists requiring bespoke control interfaces for live performance and studio production.
Origin
Founded in 2007, Hexler launched their flagship TouchOSC shortly after the App Store's debut in 2008.
Signature Patterns
- •Deep integration of professional protocols including MIDI and OSC
- •Premium monetization strategy via one-time paid downloads
- •Cross-platform utility with integrated editors for custom layout creation
- •Long-term product lifecycle management, maintaining legacy versions alongside next-gen releases
Portfolio momentum
Maintained a consistent development cycle with 5 updates across the portfolio in the last 6 months, focusing on the modernization of their flagship platform.
Company profile
medium confidence- Founded
- 2007
Portfolio
What does Hexler ship?
Apps
5 apps analysed
Analysis in progress
Multi-protocol support for MIDI, OSC, and Art-Net
- Real-time monitoring of MIDI and OSC messages provides immediate diagnostic clarity for complex synthesizer setups
- Unresponsive touch interface makes precise preference adjustments and navigation difficult during standard usage sessions
Robust support for both OSC and MIDI protocols
- Versatility and Power
- Connectivity and Sync Issues
Integration with external music apps and protocols enables complex audio-reactive visual performance workflows
- Professional VJ performance capabilities provide essential utility for live visual sets on iPad hardware
- Frequent application crashes when accessing the camera roll prevent users from loading personal media
Americas-centric footprint across 2 markets.
Based on 3 of 5 apps with localized market data, more coverage rolling in as scans complete · last scanned .
Americas (1)
- United States3 / 3
Asia-Pacific (1)
- Japan1 / 3
Core markets (3/3 apps)
User Sentiment
How do users feel about their apps?
2
Positive apps
1
Neutral / mixed
0
Negative apps
64/100
Avg sentiment score
Unlock the app dragging this portfolio down.
Access the full report for freeRivals
Who does Hexler compete with?
The rivals identified
Nemeses(3)
Both applications target professional musicians and studio engineers requiring custom interfaces for MIDI and OSC hardware control, creating direct competition for users seeking studio automation.
Offers modular, tactile control specifically designed for Ableton Live and MIDI-compliant hardware.
While functionally distinct, this app competes for the same 'utility-focused' musician demographic that requires reliable, low-latency audio processing tools.
Contenders(19)
Offers a canvas-based digital MIDI controller for arranging custom controls for MIDI-compatible software.
Acts as a technical utility for monitoring and troubleshooting MIDI data streams and connectivity.
Both applications target professional users requiring OSC message transmission for live performance and hardware control, creating direct competition for the same technical audience.
Both applications target professional musicians and audio engineers requiring custom MIDI and OSC control surfaces for studio and live performance environments.
Transforms mobile devices into custom MIDI controllers using USB, WLAN, or Bluetooth connectivity.
Provides a portable, hardware-free MIDI input solution for triggering notes and manipulating parameters.
Both applications target users requiring OSC message transmission for audio-visual software and multimedia installations. They compete for the same user base seeking mobile-to-desktop control interfaces.
Both apps target professional musicians and sound engineers by providing custom MIDI control surface creation. They compete directly for users seeking hardware-integrated remote control for audio software and synthesizers.
Both applications target music producers requiring tactile control over production software, with FL Studio Remote serving as a free, specialized companion for FL Studio users versus the platform-agnostic, professional toolset of TouchOSC.
Both apps target professional musicians and sound designers, competing for limited screen real estate during live performance and studio production.
Both applications target professional musicians and sound engineers requiring custom MIDI control surfaces for desktop production environments.
Both apps target musicians requiring mobile MIDI control, though TouchOSC Mk1 focuses on professional modularity while MIDIKeys targets hobbyists with a free, tilt-based interface.
Both applications target musicians requiring MIDI control interfaces for DAWs and hardware, competing for the same user base seeking mobile-to-desktop control solutions.
Both applications target users requiring MIDI hardware control for audio equipment, with Ui MIDI mixer focusing on specific Soundcraft hardware integration while TouchOSC provides a general-purpose control surface.
Both applications target musicians and audio engineers requiring MIDI control for DAWs and hardware, though they differ in complexity and connectivity methods.
Both apps target musicians requiring MIDI control, but they differ in input method: Sidecar maps physical QWERTY keyboards, while TouchOSC provides custom GUI layouts.
Both applications target musicians and producers requiring MIDI control, with TouchOSC providing custom interface design and Midi Amuser focusing on hardware routing.
Both apps target the DAW remote control market by providing modular MIDI and OSC interfaces for professional musicians and producers. They compete directly for users seeking portable control surfaces to manage studio hardware and software.
Both applications target musicians requiring portable MIDI control surfaces, with Launch Buttons focusing on Ableton Live integration while TouchOSC Mk1 provides broader, customizable protocol support.
Same space(25)
Offers basic TV navigation and media casting functionality for home entertainment systems.
Functions as a virtual cable hub for chaining disparate music apps and AUv3 units.
Enables wireless control of professional audio and video software like Pro Tools and Media Composer.
Serves as a native, hardware-specific remote for Logic Pro and GarageBand users.
Acts as a central hub for complex signal chains and MIDI routing within an iOS environment.
Routes virtual MIDI ports to Bluetooth or USB for low-latency communication between apps.
Replicates a Eurorack-style modular synthesis environment for sound design and MIDI processing.
Provides a utility for playing and managing standard MIDI files on mobile and desktop devices.
Provides remote control for PC and Mac DJ software over a Wi-Fi network.
Loopy Pro serves touring musicians needing hardware-like control for live looping, competing for the same professional performance-centric user base.
Delivers high-fidelity sound synthesis for producers who require studio-grade results without a full DAW.
This app shares the same technical audience of MIDI-focused creators who require precise control over signal modulation.
Provides a modular sound laboratory for beat-making and live performance as a standalone app or plugin.
Fluss offers experimental granular synthesis tools for sound designers, sharing the same professional creative audience as TouchOSC.
Targets the same hardware-integrated musician demographic, specifically those using MIDI synchronization for performance.
GoVJ provides visual mixing tools for live performers, serving the same multimedia artist audience that uses TouchOSC for audio control.
Facilitates wireless connection between Korg Bluetooth MIDI controllers and iOS devices.
Targets power users with a deep, professional-grade synthesis engine for mobile audio production.
Both apps serve the professional musician's workflow, though they focus on different stages of the performance lifecycle.
MKSensation Xtreme delivers high-fidelity piano emulation for live performance, appealing to the same professional keyboardist audience as TouchOSC.
Minimoog Model D Synthesizer targets the same professional sound design market as TouchOSC but focuses on high-fidelity analog emulation.
Provides a complete, portable music production environment that functions as an alternative to desktop DAWs.
Focuses on synthetic drum production through multi-engine sound design and advanced pattern sequencing.
iRemote operates as a universal TV remote, serving a consumer home entertainment audience distinct from the professional audio production market.
Knobbler provides a dedicated control surface for Ableton Live, directly competing with TouchOSC's role as a remote controller.
New entrants(5)
Serves as a wireless remote for lighting programmers using grandMA3 consoles and onPC software.
A new tool for Ableton users that competes for the same 'control and monitoring' screen real estate during live performances.
Designed as a remote controller for Ableton Live to assist solo live-instrument recording.
A new entrant targeting the technical maintenance needs of professional DJs, overlapping with Protokol's utility-first positioning.
DAW Controller acts as a dedicated MIDI wheel and fader controller for DAWs, serving the same professional studio audience as TouchOSC.
The Analyst's Read
The bottom line on Hexler
Bottom line
Hexler is a highly specialized studio that has successfully defended its position as the professional standard for mobile control surfaces for over 15 years. Their commitment to technical depth and disciplined one-time purchase models makes them a stable, high-trust incumbent in the creative tools category.
Frequently asked questions
How many apps does Hexler publish?
What kind of apps does Hexler make?
What is Hexler's top app?
In how many countries are Hexler's apps available?
What fed this analysis
- Apps analyzed:
- 2
- With full intel:
- 1
- With overview:
- 2
- Website scraped:
- yes
- Social presence:
- yes
