Comparison

PlaySections vs Hivolt 103 Custom

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

Hivolt 103 Custom

This app emulates a vintage guitar amplifier, offering two channels with shared EQ and interactive controls. It includes a full recording chain emulation and a custom noise gate. Works as a standalone app or an audio effect.

Highlights
  • Vintage Hiwatt DR103 emulation
  • Two channels with shared EQ
  • Normal and Brilliant inputs
  • Channel linking for blended sound
  • Recording chain emulation
  • Custom noise gate circuit
Features
Read full description

Hivolt 103 Custom Guitar Amplifier plugin is based on a vintage Hiwatt* DR103 year 1970 with original Partridge transformer and military point-to-point wiring. Hivolt 103 Custom Guitar Amplifier plugin is a 2 channels amplifier with shared EQ for both channels. It has 4 inputs, 2 for each channel (normal and brilliant). Hi inputs are DOWN and LO inputs are UP. Patching of channels works here, and you can blend for additional versatility. All amplifier parameters knobs work as EQ/drive controls basically, they are very interactive and very responsive. - Normal and Brilliant channels with independent High and Low inputs for each channel. Versatile and intuitive, perfect for bringing life out of dark pickups or taming shrill high end in bright pickups. - Link the two channels for extra punch and dynamic control of your EQ via the independent channel volumes. The Hivolt 103 Custom Guitar Amplifier includes a complete recording chain emulation and our custom design noise gate circuit. Works as a standalone app, AudioUnit v3 effect, or Inter-App Audio effect Legal Disclaimer: Hiwatt DR103 is a registered trademark of Hiwatt Electronics Ltd. Hivolt 103 was developed by Nembrini Audio SRL based on its own modelling techniques. Hiwatt Electronics Ltd has not endorsed nor sponsored the Hivolt 103 in any manner, nor licensed any intellectual property for use in this product.

Screenshots

PlaySections4 screens
Hivolt 103 Custom2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: PlaySections at every 3 weeks against Hivolt 103 Custom's every 56 months. PlaySections also leads on price ($3.99 vs $9.99) and ratings volume (16 vs 4). On rating, 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 Hivolt 103 Custom $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for PlaySections against 5.0 for Hivolt 103 Custom. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 16 and 4 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PlaySections ships an update every 3 weeks, Hivolt 103 Custom every 56 months. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
PlaySections versus Hivolt 103 Custom: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPlaySectionsHivolt 103 Custom
Price$3.99 — better$9.99
Rating4.9 (16 ratings)5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews76.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings16 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 56 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.615 — better
Further details — not scored
Size14 MB42 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHiroshi KajihataNembrini Audio

Customer experience

PlaySections

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

Hivolt 103 Custom

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

PlaySections

No in-app purchases

None

Hivolt 103 Custom

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PlaySections free?
PlaySections costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Hivolt 103 Custom free?
Hivolt 103 Custom costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, PlaySections or Hivolt 103 Custom?
Hivolt 103 Custom is rated higher. PlaySections averages 4.9 out of 5 from 16 ratings, while Hivolt 103 Custom averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.
Do PlaySections or Hivolt 103 Custom have ads?
Neither PlaySections nor Hivolt 103 Custom shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PlaySections or Hivolt 103 Custom?
PlaySections ships an update every 3 weeks, and Hivolt 103 Custom every 56 months. Most recently, PlaySections was updated on October 17, 2026 and Hivolt 103 Custom on October 6, 2026.

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