Comparison

PlaySections vs SWAM Soprano Sax

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

Head to head
About

PlaySections

This app allows users to mark and play specific sections of audio and video files. It's ideal for practicing music, learning languages, or transcribing audio with features like loop playback, speed and pitch adjustment, and vocal cancellation.

Highlights
  • Section marking and playback
  • Loop playback for sections or songs
  • Adjustable playback speed and pitch
  • Vocal cancellation and EQ
  • Import from Music Library and other apps
  • YouTube video support
  • Background playback
Features
Read full description

PlaySections is an audio/video player that allows you to freely set marks and play back specific sections of your audio/video files. For example, while you're playing music, you can insert marks where the song transitions between the verse and the chorus, dividing the song into sections. Then you can pick a section from the generated section list and listen to any part of the song. For each section title, you can enter multiple lines of text. As a result, in addition to verse/chorus labels, you can make notes about the chord progression, measure count, lyrics, and so on, offering a tool that you can use for many purposes. PlaySections supports section and song loop playback, allowing you to listen to your favorite section on loop. It also features useful functionality including tempo/playback speed adjustment, pitch shift, vocal cancellation, 7 band equalizer, and flip video, making it a perfect app to use in instrument, vocal, or dance practice, or when playing music by ear. Not only can it read files from the iOS Music Library, but by using the Share Extension/Open-in functionality, you can import files from other applications. For example, you can load a recording from the Voice Memo app that comes standard on the iPhone, letting you create and play back a section list for a song that you performed yourself. Even more, you can use it to study a new language, or to prepare meeting notes. Version 4.0.0 adds support for YouTube videos. Many uses - Set marks for intro, verses, chorus, instrumental solo - Set chord progressions and lyrics for each section - Practice of playing musical instruments, singing, and dancing - Analyze music structure, chords for music dictation - Great for language learners, transcription from audio files of meeting/conference Feature Highlights - Music Library Integration - YouTube video - Waveform scroll - Section Marks - Section title edit - Loop playback (section, song) - Speed control (-50% to +200%) * - Pitch control (-12 to +12) ** - 7 bands EQ control (-24dB to +12dB) ** - FX (vocal cancel) ** - Flip Video (except for YouTube videos) - Share Extension, Open-in support (File import) - Remote control, AirTurn support - Low latency playback (Audio Unit support) - Supports all major audio/video formats (AAC, MP3, WAV, AIFF, FLAC [requires iOS 11], MP4, MOV...) - Background playback (except for YouTube videos) - VoiceOver - Drag & Drop on iPad - Inter-App Audio,** * No support for DRM contents (Apple Music, ...) ** No support for Video, YouTube and DRM contents Support http://playsections.github.io/ https://twitter.com/PlaySections playsections@gmail.com --- Video by TRIAMPERSANDY - ROLLY-POP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RC_rV_dCCg

About

SWAM Soprano Sax

This app offers a highly realistic and expressive virtual soprano saxophone experience. It generates authentic sounds dynamically, responding to subtle playing nuances. Features include a room simulator, EQ, compressor, and extensive MIDI control for musicians.

Highlights
  • Physically modeled sound generation
  • Real-time expressive control
  • Room simulator with spatial control
  • Built-in EQ and compressor effects
  • Standalone and AUv3 plugin support
  • Intuitive interface for all users
Read full description

SWAM Soprano Sax for iOS: Unmatched Realism and Expressive Power in Your Hands! Whether you play with a wind controller like the EWI, a keyboard, or any other MIDI device, SWAM Soprano Sax for iOS gives you unparalleled expressivity. Part of the acclaimed SWAM Solo Woodwinds, SWAM Solo Brass, SWAM Solo Strings, and SWAM String Sections suite, it is a must-have for musicians seeking the most realistic and responsive virtual instruments available. Now featuring the revolutionary Room Simulator "Ambiente", this cutting-edge Physical Modeling technology delivers the depth and nuance of a real woodwind performance—in real time. Unlike sampled libraries, SWAM Soprano Sax doesn’t rely on pre-recorded sounds but generates authentic performances dynamically, responding to every subtlety of your playing, just like a real soprano saxophone player. New Features and Key Benefits Room Simulator "Ambiente": Take advantage of advanced spatial control with the built-in Room Simulator "Ambiente", allowing you to position the instrument in a realistic acoustic space, interact dynamically with other SWAM instruments in the same virtual room, and create truly immersive performances. Additionally, the EQ and Compressor effects are available for fine-tuning your sound. Standalone and AUv3 Plugin: Perform in real time or integrate SWAM Soprano Sax seamlessly into your mobile production workflow. Intuitive, Inclusive Interface: Designed for everyone, including blind and visually impaired users. Expressive Control: Play with unmatched expressivity using MPE controllers, keyboards, breath controllers, or other MIDI devices. Top Features at a Glance Access a library of presets, create your own, or import presets from the desktop version. Customize every detail of your sound, including timbre, vibrato, and dynamics. Micro-tune the instrument with the Pitch Manager, supporting devices like MAQAM for advanced tuning systems. Add built-in effects like EQ and Compressor. Play with different instrument models to explore a variety of tonal colors and expressive possibilities. Use AUv3 to integrate with your mobile DAW (Logic, Cubasis, AUM) or apps like Camelot PRO for live performances. Who is SWAM Soprano Sax for iOS Designed For? Wind Controller Players: Looking for a mobile setup to perform live without needing a computer while still achieving an incredible sound. Keyboard Players: Frustrated by the limited expressive capabilities of normal sample-based plugins? SWAM Soprano Sax unlocks the full range of expression. Music Producers: Need a mobile setup to produce music from anywhere without carrying around expensive gear? SWAM Soprano Sax is the solution. Musicians Seeking Expressivity: Looking for a virtual instrument that allows you to express the full range of your musicality easily on your iPhone or iPad. IMPORTANT To fully harness the expressive power of SWAM Soprano Sax, a controller capable of continuous expression (such as a breath controller, expression pedal, MPE device, or wind controller) is required. Just like a real soprano saxophonist shapes their sound with breath and embouchure, SWAM Soprano Sax needs expressive input for maximum realism. With SWAM Soprano Sax for iOS, you have the freedom to create lifelike woodwind performances on your iPhone or iPad. Redefine your music with unparalleled realism and expressive depth—anytime, anywhere.

Screenshots

PlaySections4 screens
SWAM Soprano Sax4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: PlaySections at $3.99 against SWAM Soprano Sax's $29.99. PlaySections also leads on rating (4.9 vs 3.5) and review sentiment (77% vs 50%). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model 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

PlaySections costs $3.99 and SWAM Soprano Sax $29.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PlaySections holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PlaySections has 16 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 77% of PlaySections's written reviews are positive against 50% of SWAM Soprano Sax's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PlaySections ships an update every 3 weeks, SWAM Soprano Sax every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
PlaySections versus SWAM Soprano Sax: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPlaySectionsSWAM Soprano Sax
Price$3.99 — better$29.99
Rating4.9 (16 ratings) — better3.5 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews76.9% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings16 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size14 MB140 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHiroshi KajihataAudio Modeling

Customer experience

PlaySections

All ratings16 ratings
Positive93.8%
Neutral6.3%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews39 reviews
Positive76.9%
Neutral10.3%
Negative12.8%

SWAM Soprano Sax

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

None

PlaySections

No in-app purchases

None

SWAM Soprano Sax

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PlaySections free?
PlaySections costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is SWAM Soprano Sax free?
SWAM Soprano Sax costs $29.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, PlaySections or SWAM Soprano Sax?
PlaySections is rated higher. PlaySections averages 4.9 out of 5 from 16 ratings, while SWAM Soprano Sax averages 3.5 from 2 ratings.
Do PlaySections or SWAM Soprano Sax have ads?
Neither PlaySections nor SWAM Soprano Sax shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PlaySections or SWAM Soprano Sax?
PlaySections ships an update every 3 weeks, and SWAM Soprano Sax every 2 months. Most recently, PlaySections was updated on November 1, 2026 and SWAM Soprano Sax on November 6, 2026.

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