Comparison

Advance Playstream vs Backline

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Advance Playstream

Control multiroom audio playback across your home network. Stream music from various sources including local devices, NAS, and popular streaming services with high-fidelity sound.

Highlights
  • Multiroom audio playback
  • Stream from iPhone, iPad, Mac
  • NAS and UPnP device support
  • Integrates with Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz
  • Internet radio streaming
  • High-fidelity sound
Features
Read full description

Advance Playstream is the app which controls our line of multiroom streamers. Play all your music on your home network (Wi-Fi or Ethernet*) in multiroom. Music from your iPhone, iPad and Mac but also from your NAS or UPnP devices including cloud or streaming services as Spotify, Qobuz, Amazon Music Unlimited, Tidal, i.Heart radio, Tune-in and vTuner internet radio. Our network player delivers real high fidelity sound for audiophiles. * Ethernet only on some models.

About

Backline

Features
Read full description

Backline is the setlist manager built for working musicians. Create, organize, and manage your setlists with all the details you need for a flawless performance. POWERFUL SETLIST MANAGEMENT • Create unlimited setlists for different gigs, venues, or occasions • Drag and drop to reorder songs instantly • Duplicate setlists to create variations quickly • Long-press to rename setlists on the fly COMPREHENSIVE SONG DETAILS • Track key, tempo (BPM), and duration for every song • Add notes for cues, transitions, or reminders • See total setlist duration at a glance • Never forget an arrangement detail again SHARE AND EXPORT • Export setlists as professional PDF documents • Share with your bandmates instantly • Import and export your complete library • Keep your data backed up and portable BUILT FOR PERFORMERS • Clean, distraction-free interface • Works offline - no internet required • Fast and responsive, even with large libraries • Available in English and Spanish YOUR DATA, YOUR CONTROL • All data stored locally on your device • No account required • No subscriptions, no ads • Reset data anytime from Settings Whether you're a gigging musician, worship leader, cover band, or solo artist, Backline helps you stay organized so you can focus on what matters - the music. Download Backline and take control of your setlists today.

Screenshots

Advance Playstream4 screens
Backline2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Advance Playstream at Free against Backline's $1.99. Advance Playstream also leads on update cadence (every 4 months vs every 9 months) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 15.1). On ads, in-app purchases and device support 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

Advance Playstream is free to download; Backline costs $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Advance Playstream ships an update every 4 months, Backline every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Advance Playstream versus Backline: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAdvance PlaystreamBackline
PriceFree — better$1.99
Rating2.6 (7 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews20.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings7 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 months — betterEvery 9 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS10.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size154 MB22 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperADVANCE PARISBitscribbler, LLC

In-app purchases

None

Advance Playstream

No in-app purchases

None

Backline

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Advance Playstream free?
Advance Playstream is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Backline free?
Backline costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Advance Playstream or Backline have ads?
Neither Advance Playstream nor Backline shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Advance Playstream or Backline?
Advance Playstream ships an update every 4 months, and Backline every 9 months. Most recently, Advance Playstream was updated on October 24, 2026 and Backline on October 11, 2026.

Other comparisons