PlaySections vs Simple Slow Downer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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
Simple Slow Downer
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Simple Slow Downer is a music speed changer built for learning songs by ear. Slow any track down without changing the pitch, then bring it back up when you're ready. Loop the bar that keeps tripping you up. With precise time-stretching, a 10-band EQ, reverb and vocal cancel, everything you need to play a song by ear is right here. Runs on both iPhone and iPad. On iPad the waveform gets the room it deserves, so placing your A-B points is that much easier. TEMPO & PITCH Adjust playback speed without changing pitch. Shift pitch ±12 semitones without affecting tempo — perfect for dropped-tuning songs or practising with a different instrument. 10-BAND EQUALIZER Boost the bass to hear the bassline. Cut the mids to push the vocals back. Shape the sound to focus on exactly the part you want to learn. 6 presets included. EFFECTS Vocal Cancel to reduce centre-panned vocals. Compressor to even out dynamics. Reverb with 8 presets for a natural, immersive sound. 2D CONTROL PAD Control tempo and pitch at the same time with one finger. Find your practice speed instantly. A-B REPEAT Set a loop start (A) and end (B) to repeat any section endlessly. Drag the markers on the waveform for precise control. AUDIO EXPORT Export your adjusted track as WAV or M4A. Great for making custom practice files. PLAYLIST Continuous and loop playback for multiple tracks. Supports MP3, M4A, AAC, WAV and more. TEN LANGUAGES The interface follows your device language automatically: English, Japanese, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese and Korean. PREMIUM — ONE-TIME PURCHASE The app is free with full access to the core features. Premium is a single one-time purchase, not a subscription. It removes ads and unlocks two extra practice tools. - One-time purchase. No subscription, no recurring charges. - Unlocked forever, restorable on your devices with the same Apple Account. - Benefits: ad-free, per-track settings saved automatically, A-B region export (WAV / M4A) LEGAL Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://tenmais.jp/privacy.php?lang=en
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Simple Slow Downer at Free against PlaySections's $3.99. Simple Slow Downer also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). PlaySections's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On device support and iOS requirement 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
Simple Slow Downer is free to download; PlaySections costs $3.99 up front. Simple Slow Downer sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $0.99 per month. PlaySections asks for nothing beyond the download.
PlaySections ships an update every 3 weeks, Simple Slow Downer weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | PlaySections | Simple Slow Downer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.9 (16 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 76.9% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 16 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | 15.6 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 14 MB | 45 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Hiroshi Kajihata | Kenichi Ando |
In-app purchases
PlaySections
No in-app purchases
Simple Slow Downer
- Premium Plan$0.991 Month
Questions
Is PlaySections free?
Is Simple Slow Downer free?
Do PlaySections or Simple Slow Downer have ads?
Which is updated more often, PlaySections or Simple Slow Downer?
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