# Mark Levinson Control vs JPLAY

The clearest difference is rating: JPLAY at 4.2 against Mark Levinson Control's 2.8. JPLAY also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 21 months) and ratings volume (55 vs 6). Mark Levinson Control's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 13.0). On price, review sentiment, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. JPLAY sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $49.99 per year. Mark Levinson Control asks for nothing beyond the download.

JPLAY holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 2.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: JPLAY has 55 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 67% of Mark Levinson Control's written reviews are positive against 59% of JPLAY's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Mark Levinson Control ships an update every 21 months, JPLAY every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Mark Levinson Control | JPLAY |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.8 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mark-levinson-control/id1091686380/reviews) | **[4.2 (55 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jplay/id1608773457/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 6 | **55** |
| Positive reviews | **66.7% of reviews** | 58.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 21 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Subscription |
| Size | 7 MB | 50 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES LIMITED](https://appshunter.io/developer/406639540) | [Marcin Ostapowicz](https://appshunter.io/developer/1608773459) |

## What reviewers say

### Mark Levinson Control

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mark-levinson-control/id1091686380)

This app provides comprehensive control for a specific audio player, allowing users to manage source selection, volume, and detailed audio settings. Stream music from various sources, tune into internet radio, and access podcasts wirelessly from your iOS device.

**Highlights:** Source selection control, Volume adjustment, Audio parameter configuration, Network settings, Music streaming, Internet radio access, Podcast listening

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### JPLAY

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jplay/id1608773457)

This app is a high-fidelity music player designed for audiophiles. It seamlessly integrates streaming services like Qobuz and Tidal with local music files, offering a unified interface for all your audio content. Experience superior sound quality and discover new music through its intuitive design and advanced features.

**Highlights:** Plays Qobuz, Tidal, and local music files, Works with most streamers and network DACs, HQPlayer Control API integration, Dramatically better sound quality, Radio feature for music discovery, Extended playlist management, Artist bios and album reviews

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| JPLAY Premium | $49.99 | per year |
| Lifetime | $149.00 | one-time |
| JPLAY Lifetime | $199.00 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎵 Superior sound quality compared to competitors
- 👍 Intuitive and clean user interface
- 🚀 Fast and responsive app performance
- 🔌 Seamless UPnP/DLNA integration
- 📱 Works without requiring a server

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive subscription pricing ($50/year, $199 lifetime)
- ❌ No monthly subscription option available
- 🐛 Frequent connectivity and playback issues
- 📱 iOS-only application
- 🔄 No cross-device synchronization

**Reported bugs**

- Tracks fail to render or play from Tidal
- App crashes on startup with older iOS versions
- Playback stuttering and lag issues
- Renderer in transition errors
- Device discovery failures

**Requested features**

- Monthly subscription option
- Cross-device synchronization for playlists and favorites
- EQ and tone adjustment controls
- DSD file playback support
- Multi-room audio capability


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Mark Levinson Control free?

Mark Levinson Control is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is JPLAY free?

JPLAY is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Mark Levinson Control or JPLAY?

JPLAY is rated higher. Mark Levinson Control averages 2.8 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while JPLAY averages 4.2 from 55 ratings.

### Do Mark Levinson Control or JPLAY have ads?

Neither Mark Levinson Control nor JPLAY shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Mark Levinson Control or JPLAY?

Mark Levinson Control ships an update every 21 months, and JPLAY every 3 weeks. Most recently, Mark Levinson Control was updated on October 24, 2026 and JPLAY on October 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*