# Nota vs AurA LAB

The clearest difference is ads: AurA LAB at none against Nota's shown. AurA LAB also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 4 months) and monetization model (free vs ad-supported). Nota's advantage is ratings volume (1.5K vs 13). On price, rating, review sentiment and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.3 for Nota against 4.2 for AurA LAB. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Nota has 1.5K ratings behind it against 13, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 59% of Nota's written reviews are positive against 56% of AurA LAB's.

Nota ships an update every 4 months, AurA LAB monthly. Both last shipped on October 29, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Nota | AurA LAB |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.3 (1.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nota-player-for-files/id1444318808/reviews)** | [4.2 (13 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aura-lab/id1506697149/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.5K** | 13 |
| Positive reviews | **58.8% of reviews** | 55.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | **Free** |
| Size | 66 MB | 35 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | **15.6** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Markuss Irbe](https://appshunter.io/developer/1444318807) | [SIU KEUNG CHAN](https://appshunter.io/developer/1408408970) |

## What reviewers say

### Nota

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nota-player-for-files/id1444318808)

This app provides a full-featured audio playback experience directly from your system's Files app and cloud storage. Enjoy background playback, advanced sound customization with an equalizer, and flexible playback controls. It also offers robust file management capabilities, allowing you to organize and transfer your audio files seamlessly.

**Highlights:** Playback from Files app and cloud, Background playback and AirPlay, 10-band equalizer, Adjustable playback speed, File management (import, export, rename), Sleep timer, Smart shuffle and loop

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Simple and straightforward
- 🔒 No ads or subscriptions
- 👍 Plays local MP3 files well
- 💡 Useful features like equalizer and playback speed
- 👍 Clean and intuitive interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional playback issues
- 🐛 Metadata/album art not always displayed correctly
- 🐛 Duplication of imported files
- 🐛 Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
- 🔋 Drains battery when playing in background

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to download music from certain sources
- Playback stops when device is locked
- Metadata editing not working as expected

**Requested features**

- Add playlist/queue functionality
- Implement cloud storage integration
- Allow batch import of files
- Add more customization options (themes, gestures, etc.)
- Improve shuffle/repeat functionality


### AurA LAB

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aura-lab/id1506697149)

Transform your smartphone into a receiver controller. Adjust sound settings, manage audio sources, and customize backlight colors for compatible receiver models. Save your personalized sound profiles for easy recall.

**Highlights:** Sound adjustment, Receiver function control, Audio source selection, Multi-band equalizer, Volume control, Backlight color adjustment, Save sound presets

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Nota free?

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

### Is AurA LAB free?

AurA LAB is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Nota or AurA LAB?

Nota is rated higher. Nota averages 4.3 out of 5 from 1.5K ratings, while AurA LAB averages 4.2 from 13 ratings.

### Do Nota or AurA LAB have ads?

Nota shows ads; AurA LAB does not.

### Which is updated more often, Nota or AurA LAB?

Nota ships an update every 4 months, and AurA LAB monthly. Most recently, Nota was updated on October 29, 2026 and AurA LAB on October 29, 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.*