Comparison

PlayFadePause vs Lab Monkey

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

Head to head
About

PlayFadePause

Control theatrical audio with complex sound cues from your mobile device. Play multiple sounds simultaneously, crossfade between tracks, and manage show files easily. Ideal for small-scale productions, rehearsals, and conferences.

Highlights
  • Simultaneous multi-sound playback
  • Seamless crossfading between cues
  • Networked cue firing via OSC
  • Adjustable sound effect fades
  • Infinite or timed looping
  • Import audio from various sources
  • Exportable show files
Features
Read full description

At last theatrical audio control for situations where you can't afford (or can't fit) a laptop - now free for one show file, and also free to import shared show files. Now fully free! Making full use of all the features of your device, PlayFadePause allows you to run a complete show with complex sound cues, all from the press of a simple GO button. Features include - Play multiple sound cues at the same time, at different (preset) volumes - Easily crossfade between cues without creating multiple fade cues - Fire cues over a network using OSC - Fade running sound effects up or down, automatically stopping the cue when the fade is complete if required - Loop sound effects infinitely, or for a certain number of times. - Easily crossfade between two tracks - Adjust in and out times for play cues - Set and fade the pan and speed of tracks - Set cues to auto follow, with delays if required - Import audio from your iTunes library, from email attachments, from dropbox or from other PlayFadePause show files - Export show files as a bundle (including all audio files) through the standard iOS share interface - Manage show files in an easy to use interface - Set the app to force the device's volume to remain at full while the app is running - Stop the device from sleeping while the app is active - De-bounce guard to avoid double tapping Go Perfect for running small scale shows, for using in rehearsals or for conferences PlayFadePause is free for one show, with an In App Purchase available to unlock unlimited shows and sharing features

About

Lab Monkey

This application provides a large, "long view" display of QLab cues for users. It requires QLab to be open and on the same WiFi network. It is developed by Audio Ape Inc., known for professional remote control systems.

Highlights
  • Large "long view" cue display
  • QLab integration
  • Same WiFi network required
  • Remote control system compatibility
Features
Read full description

This app Lab Monkey will give QLab users a large display or “long view” of their QLab cues. You will need the application QLab open, and on the same WiFi network as this app. “Lab Monkey” is owned by Audio Ape Inc. We are the makers of professional remote control systems for iOS and all USB equipped computers. Learn more about Audio Ape Remotes by clicking the link at the bottom. (QLab and Figure53 are registered trademarks of Figure53, LLC. Seller of this application is not affiliated with Figure53, LLC)

Screenshots

PlayFadePause1 screens
Lab Monkey3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Lab Monkey at 5.0 against PlayFadePause's 4.5. Lab Monkey also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and review sentiment (90% vs 70%). PlayFadePause's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 14.0). On price, update cadence, ads 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

Both are free to download. PlayFadePause sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Lab Monkey asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Lab Monkey holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Lab Monkey has 13 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 70% of PlayFadePause's written reviews are positive against 90% of Lab Monkey's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PlayFadePause ships an update every 5 weeks, Lab Monkey every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 9, 2026 and August 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
PlayFadePause versus Lab Monkey: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPlayFadePauseLab Monkey
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (2 ratings)5.0 (13 ratings) — better
Positive reviews70.0% of reviews90.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings213 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size32 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRichard WilliamsonCharles Peachock

Customer experience

PlayFadePause

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive70.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative30.0%

Lab Monkey

All ratings13 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive90.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative10.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

PlayFadePause

One-time1
  • Save Shows$2.99
None

Lab Monkey

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PlayFadePause free?
PlayFadePause is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Lab Monkey free?
Lab Monkey is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, PlayFadePause or Lab Monkey?
Lab Monkey is rated higher. PlayFadePause averages 4.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Lab Monkey averages 5.0 from 13 ratings.
Do PlayFadePause or Lab Monkey have ads?
Neither PlayFadePause nor Lab Monkey shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PlayFadePause or Lab Monkey?
PlayFadePause ships an update every 5 weeks, and Lab Monkey every 2 months. Most recently, PlayFadePause was updated on September 9, 2026 and Lab Monkey on August 27, 2026.

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