Comparison

PlaySections vs Session Notes AU

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

Session Notes AU

This app integrates note-taking directly into your music production workflow, allowing you to manage lyrics, mix ideas, and session details within your DAW. Version 2.0 enhances writing tools, navigation, and data safety with features like iCloud sync and backups.

Highlights
  • Integrated DAW workflow
  • Markdown-aware writing
  • Keyboard accessory tools
  • Automatic iCloud sync
  • Backup and restore functionality
  • AUv3 plugin and standalone app
  • Customizable themes and fonts
Read full description

Session Notes AU keeps your lyrics, mix notes, set lists, production reminders, and session notes inside the same DAW workflow where you track, edit, rehearse, and mix. Instead of bouncing out to a separate notes app, you can keep the writing and the work in the same place. Version 2.0 turns Session Notes AU into a more capable production companion with better writing tools, better note navigation, a flexible editor layout, and a safer day-to-day writing flow. Built For Real Session Work - Keep notes inside your DAW workflow instead of breaking focus - Switch quickly between the note browser and the active note - Resize the editor and note list with a drag handle - Use a more polished note browser with clearer active-note focus Brand New Writing Tools In 2.0 - Markdown-aware writing support - Keyboard accessory tools for lists, checklists, links, undo, redo, find, stats, and quick structure helpers - List, checklist, numbered-list, and blockquote continuation - Indent, outdent, and paired insertion helpers - In-note Find with live match highlighting - Live document stats while you write - Autosave for existing notes while you work Safer Session Flow In 2.0 - Automatic iCloud sync across devices - Manual sync when you want more control - Backup to Files App - Restore from backup if needed - Safer handling for note changes across devices Also Included - AUv3 plug-in workflow plus standalone app - Save, Save As New Note, share, delete, and reorder actions - Multiple themes for different studio environments - Separate font and size controls for browser text, title text, and note body text - Comprehensive built-in in-app manual Session Notes AU is designed for musicians, producers, engineers, and performers who want notes to feel like part of the session, not a second app sitting off to the side.

Screenshots

PlaySections4 screens
Session Notes AU4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: PlaySections at 4.9 against Session Notes AU's 4.1. PlaySections also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months) and review sentiment (77% vs 63%). Session Notes AU's advantage is price ($1.99 vs $3.99). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases 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

PlaySections costs $3.99 and Session Notes AU $1.99 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 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 16 and 10 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 77% of PlaySections's written reviews are positive against 63% of Session Notes AU's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PlaySections ships an update every 3 weeks, Session Notes AU every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
PlaySections versus Session Notes AU: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPlaySectionsSession Notes AU
Price$3.99$1.99 — better
Rating4.9 (16 ratings) — better4.1 (10 ratings)
Positive reviews76.9% of reviews — better62.5% of reviews
Number of ratings16 — better10
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.616.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size14 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHiroshi KajihataChristian Thompson

Customer experience

PlaySections

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

Session Notes AU

All ratings10 ratings
Positive70.0%
Neutral30.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive62.5%
Neutral37.5%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

PlaySections

No in-app purchases

None

Session Notes AU

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PlaySections free?
PlaySections costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Session Notes AU free?
Session Notes AU costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, PlaySections or Session Notes AU?
PlaySections is rated higher. PlaySections averages 4.9 out of 5 from 16 ratings, while Session Notes AU averages 4.1 from 10 ratings.
Do PlaySections or Session Notes AU have ads?
Neither PlaySections nor Session Notes AU shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PlaySections or Session Notes AU?
PlaySections ships an update every 3 weeks, and Session Notes AU every 3 months. Most recently, PlaySections was updated on October 8, 2026 and Session Notes AU on October 1, 2026.

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