Comparison

PlaySections vs KQ Sampei 26

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

KQ Sampei 26

This powerful sampler synthesizer allows musicians to load and switch between various sound set formats, including SoundFont and DLS. It offers multi-timbral operation across multiple MIDI channels and supports standard and riff MIDI files for flexible music production and live performance.

Highlights
  • Supports SoundFont (sf2), Compressed SoundFont (sf3), and DLS formats
  • Multi-timbral operation across multiple MIDI channels
  • Plays Standard MIDI Files (SMF) and RIFF MIDI Files
  • AUv3 plugin for use with DAWs
  • Micro-tuning with AnaMark TUN files
  • Load on Demand / Streaming mode for large sound sets
  • External and virtual MIDI connections
Features
Read full description

KQ Sampei is a powerful sampler synthesizer for iOS that allows you to load and switch sound sets with ease. It supports multi-timbral operation across multiple MIDI channels, giving you rich flexibility for music production and live performance. Key Features - Supports SoundFont (sf2), Compressed SoundFont (sf3), and Downloadable Sound (DLS) formats - Multi-timbral operation across multiple MIDI channels with high polyphony depending on device performance - Compatible with GM, GS, XG, and MPE MIDI message sets - Plays Standard MIDI Files (SMF) and RIFF MIDI Files with multiple ports and loop support - AUv3 for use with GarageBand, AUM, Cubasis, and other apps - Micro-tuning with AnaMark TUN files for alternate tuning systems - Load on Demand / Streaming mode for handling large sound sets beyond device RAM limits - Supports external and virtual MIDI connections - Includes “GeneralUser GS v1.471” sound set with prepared modifiers - No user data collection beyond what iOS/iPadOS inherently collects Perfect For - MIDI/DTM users who want to play old SMF/GS/XG files - Musicians using SoundFont or DLS libraries - Mobile producers looking for a plugin synth with deep customization - Users needing micro-tuning or alternate temperament support Tips - For best compatibility with other SoundFont players, use Engine V3 and disable Custom GS Controllers, Slow LPF, and Smooth Volume Level. - With large sound sets, streaming mode is recommended. Machine generated text is included in this application and description.

Screenshots

PlaySections4 screens
KQ Sampei 264 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: PlaySections at $3.99 against KQ Sampei 26's $9.99. PlaySections also leads on review sentiment (77% vs 67%) and ratings volume (16 vs 4). On rating, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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 KQ Sampei 26 $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 4.8 for KQ Sampei 26. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 16 and 4 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 77% of PlaySections's written reviews are positive against 67% of KQ Sampei 26's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
PlaySections versus KQ Sampei 26: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPlaySectionsKQ Sampei 26
Price$3.99 — better$9.99
Rating4.9 (16 ratings) — better4.8 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews76.9% of reviews — better66.7% of reviews
Number of ratings16 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.6 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size14 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHiroshi KajihataRyouta Kira

Customer experience

PlaySections

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

KQ Sampei 26

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral33.3%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

PlaySections

No in-app purchases

None

KQ Sampei 26

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PlaySections free?
PlaySections costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is KQ Sampei 26 free?
KQ Sampei 26 costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, PlaySections or KQ Sampei 26?
PlaySections is rated higher. PlaySections averages 4.9 out of 5 from 16 ratings, while KQ Sampei 26 averages 4.8 from 4 ratings.
Do PlaySections or KQ Sampei 26 have ads?
Neither PlaySections nor KQ Sampei 26 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PlaySections or KQ Sampei 26?
PlaySections ships an update every 3 weeks, and KQ Sampei 26 every 3 weeks. Most recently, PlaySections was updated on October 24, 2026 and KQ Sampei 26 on October 25, 2026.

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