# DownBeat Mag vs RealPlay

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | DownBeat Mag | RealPlay |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.5 (15 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/downbeat-mag/id1590355244/reviews) | **[4.8 (171 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/realplay/id6760606889/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 15 | **171** |
| Positive reviews | 7.1% of reviews | **73.2% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 57 MB | 113 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Maher Publications Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/572082022) | [RealPlay LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1885286626) |

## What reviewers say

### DownBeat Mag

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/downbeat-mag/id1590355244)

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:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (39)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $2.99 | per month |
| 1-Year Subscription | $23.99 | per year |
| DownBeat Mag Jan 2020 Issue | $3.99 | one-time |
| DownBeat Feb 2023 Issue | $3.99 | one-time |
| DownBeat 2022-12 | $3.99 | one-time |
| DownBeat Mag 2021-10 | $3.99 | one-time |
| DownBeat Mag 2021-04 | $3.99 | one-time |
| DownBeat Mag 2022-03 | $3.99 | one-time |
| DownBeat Mag 2021-01 | $3.99 | one-time |
| DownBeat December 2021 | $3.99 | one-time |
| DownBeat Mag 2023-04 | $4.99 | one-time |
| DownBeat Mag May 2023 Issue | $4.99 | one-time |
| DownBeat Mag 2023-08 | $4.99 | one-time |
| DownBeat Mag 2023-09 | $4.99 | one-time |
| DownBeat Mag 2023-10 | $4.99 | one-time |
| DownBeat Mag 2023-11 | $4.99 | one-time |
| DownBeat Mag 2023-12 | $4.99 | one-time |
| DownBeat Mag 2024-01 | $4.99 | one-time |
| DownBeat Mag 2024-02 | $4.99 | one-time |
| DownBeat Mag 2026-07 | $4.99 | one-time |
| DownBeat Mag 2026-09 | $4.99 | one-time |
| DownBeat Mag 2026-10 | $4.99 | one-time |
| DownBeat Mag 2026-11 | $4.99 | one-time |
| DownBeat Mag 2026-08 | $4.99 | one-time |
| DownBeat Mag 2026-03 | $4.99 | one-time |
| DownBeat Mag 2025-10 | $4.99 | one-time |
| DownBeat Mag 2025-12 | $4.99 | one-time |
| DownBeat Mag 2025-09 | $4.99 | one-time |
| DownBeat Mag 2025-08 | $4.99 | one-time |
| DownBeat Mag 2025-07 | $4.99 | one-time |
| DownBeat Mag 2025-05 | $4.99 | one-time |
| DownBeat Mag 2025-03 | $4.99 | one-time |
| DownBeat Mag 2025-02 | $4.99 | one-time |
| DownBeat Mag 2025-01 | $4.99 | one-time |
| DownBeat Mag 2024-12 | $4.99 | one-time |
| DownBeat Mag 2024-05 | $4.99 | one-time |
| DownBeat Mag 2024-11 | $4.99 | one-time |
| DownBeat Mag 2024-08 | $4.99 | one-time |
| DownBeat Mag 2024-07 Future | $4.99 | one-time |


### RealPlay

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/realplay/id6760606889)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| RealPlay Pro Monthly | $3.29 | per month |
| RealPlay Pro Yearly | $21.99 | per year |


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