# HeatNext vs Now Playing

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Now Playing at none against HeatNext's 4. HeatNext's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 8 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. HeatNext sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Now Playing asks for nothing beyond the download.

HeatNext ships an update every 2 months, Now Playing every 8 months. The most recent releases landed on September 15, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | HeatNext | Now Playing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[3.6 (72 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/now-playing/id1459548310/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **72** |
| Positive reviews | — | 40.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 8 months |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Size | 32 MB | 3 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Nomnio](https://appshunter.io/developer/1440372439) | [Apple](https://appshunter.io/developer/284417353) |

## What reviewers say

### HeatNext

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/heatnext/id1440372440)

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Plus Package | $1.99 | per month |
| Advanced Package | $3.99 | per month |
| Plus Package | $18.99 | per year |
| Advanced Package | $37.99 | per year |


### Now Playing

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/now-playing/id1459548310)

Control and view media playing on your Apple Watch, iPhone, or connected devices like HomePod and Bluetooth speakers. Easily manage audio playback with relevant controls surfacing on your watch.

**Highlights:** Control media on Apple Watch, iPhone, and connected devices, Surface relevant media controls on Apple Watch, View currently playing content, Manage music, audiobooks, and podcasts, Complication to display listening status

**Features:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is HeatNext free?

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

### Is Now Playing free?

Now Playing is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do HeatNext or Now Playing have ads?

Neither HeatNext nor Now Playing shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, HeatNext or Now Playing?

HeatNext ships an update every 2 months, and Now Playing every 8 months. Most recently, HeatNext was updated on September 15, 2026 and Now Playing on September 19, 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.*