Comparison

DownBeat Mag vs RealPlay

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

Head to head
About

DownBeat Mag

Explore the world of Jazz, Blues, and beyond with in-depth interviews, historical features, and expert reviews. Access back issues and future content through various subscription options.

Highlights
  • In-depth interviews
  • Historical music features
  • World-class reviews
  • Blindfold Test articles
  • Access to back and future issues
  • Subscription options
Features
Read full description

DownBeat is the granddaddy of American music magazines. Our editors, writers and photographers scour the world to bring back the best of Jazz, Blues & Beyond. From insightful interviews and historical gems to world-class reviews and iconic features like the Blindfold Test, DownBeat delivers an insider's guide to jazz, improvised music and all of its offshoots. Auto Renewing subscription: *Back issues and future issues are available for purchase within the App. You can purchase single issues for $3.99 (non-subscription). Future issues are also available through the following auto-renewing subscription(s): DownBeat Magazine subscriptions - 3-month subscription for $9.99, 6-month subscription for $15.99 and a 1-year subscription for $23.99 automatically renewed until canceled. Payment for all purchases will be charged to your iTunes account at the confirmation of your purchase. The subscription will include the current issue if you do not already own it, and subsequently published future issues. Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. This subscription will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period, your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period. The cost of the renewal will match the initial subscription price. You may turn off auto-renewing subscriptions by going to your user’s Account Settings after purchase. No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during your active subscription period. Please find our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy here: https://downbeat.com/site/terms and https://downbeat.com/site/privacy

About

RealPlay

Practice music with authentic backing tracks performed by professional musicians. Customize tempo, key, and mix for focused learning. Features over 100 standard chord progressions with an expanding library.

Highlights
  • Authentic backing tracks
  • 100+ standard chord progressions
  • Real-time tempo adjustment
  • Instrument isolation and mixing
  • Instant transposition to all keys
Features
Read full description

RealPlay lets you practice with real music—not midi tracks, AI, or loops. Play along with authentic backing tracks performed by world-class rhythm sections, featuring an expanding library of over 100 essential standard chord progressions. Easily customize your practice with real-time controls for tempo, key, and mix—so you can focus on exactly what you need. Features: • World-class rhythm sections • 100+ essential jazz standards and chord progressions (expanding library) • Real-time tempo adjustment • Instrument isolation and mixing (ideal for rhythm section players) • Instant transposition to all 12 keys Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

DownBeat Mag3 screens
RealPlay4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: RealPlay at 73% against DownBeat Mag's 7%. RealPlay also leads on rating (4.8 vs 1.5) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 months). DownBeat Mag's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

Both are free to download. DownBeat Mag sells 39 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and RealPlay sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.29 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

RealPlay holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 1.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RealPlay has 171 ratings behind it against 15, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 7% of DownBeat Mag's written reviews are positive against 73% of RealPlay's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DownBeat Mag ships an update every 2 months, RealPlay every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
DownBeat Mag versus RealPlay: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDownBeat MagRealPlay
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.5 (15 ratings)4.8 (171 ratings) — better
Positive reviews7.1% of reviews73.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings15171 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size57 MB113 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperMaher Publications Inc.RealPlay LLC

Customer experience

DownBeat Mag

All ratings15 ratings
Positive6.7%
Neutral6.7%
Negative86.7%
Written reviews14 reviews
Positive7.1%
Neutral7.1%
Negative85.7%

RealPlay

All ratings164 ratings
Positive93.9%
Neutral2.4%
Negative3.7%
Written reviews41 reviews
Positive73.2%
Neutral12.2%
Negative14.6%

In-app purchases

39 purchases

DownBeat Mag

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Subscription$2.991 Month
  • 1-Year Subscription$23.991 Year
One-time37
  • DownBeat Mag Jan 2020 Issue$3.99
  • DownBeat Feb 2023 Issue$3.99
  • DownBeat 2022-12$3.99
Show 34 more
  • DownBeat Mag 2021-10$3.99
  • DownBeat Mag 2021-04$3.99
  • DownBeat Mag 2022-03$3.99
  • DownBeat Mag 2021-01$3.99
  • DownBeat December 2021$3.99
  • DownBeat Mag 2023-04$4.99
  • DownBeat Mag May 2023 Issue$4.99
  • DownBeat Mag 2023-08$4.99
  • DownBeat Mag 2023-09$4.99
  • DownBeat Mag 2023-10$4.99
  • DownBeat Mag 2023-11$4.99
  • DownBeat Mag 2023-12$4.99
  • DownBeat Mag 2024-01$4.99
  • DownBeat Mag 2024-02$4.99
  • DownBeat Mag 2026-07$4.99
  • DownBeat Mag 2026-09$4.99
  • DownBeat Mag 2026-10$4.99
  • DownBeat Mag 2026-11$4.99
  • DownBeat Mag 2026-08$4.99
  • DownBeat Mag 2026-03$4.99
  • DownBeat Mag 2025-10$4.99
  • DownBeat Mag 2025-12$4.99
  • DownBeat Mag 2025-09$4.99
  • DownBeat Mag 2025-08$4.99
  • DownBeat Mag 2025-07$4.99
  • DownBeat Mag 2025-05$4.99
  • DownBeat Mag 2025-03$4.99
  • DownBeat Mag 2025-02$4.99
  • DownBeat Mag 2025-01$4.99
  • DownBeat Mag 2024-12$4.99
  • DownBeat Mag 2024-05$4.99
  • DownBeat Mag 2024-11$4.99
  • DownBeat Mag 2024-08$4.99
  • DownBeat Mag 2024-07 Future$4.99
2 purchases

RealPlay

Subscriptions2
  • RealPlay Pro Monthly$3.291 Month
  • RealPlay Pro Yearly$21.991 Year

Questions

Is DownBeat Mag free?
DownBeat Mag is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is RealPlay free?
RealPlay is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, DownBeat Mag or RealPlay?
RealPlay is rated higher. DownBeat Mag averages 1.5 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while RealPlay averages 4.8 from 171 ratings.
Do DownBeat Mag or RealPlay have ads?
Neither DownBeat Mag nor RealPlay shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DownBeat Mag or RealPlay?
DownBeat Mag ships an update every 2 months, and RealPlay every 5 days. Most recently, DownBeat Mag was updated on October 30, 2026 and RealPlay on October 31, 2026.

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