Comparison

SessionBand Original vs RealPlay

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

Head to head
About

SessionBand Original

Create professional-quality music in minutes with this chord-based loop app. It converts selected chords into studio-quality audio across 71 genres, even if you have no musical experience. Build, mix, and share royalty-free tracks on the go.

Highlights
  • Chord-based audio loops
  • 71 music styles
  • Instant style flipping
  • Track builder
  • Auto-transpose
  • Mix and record tracks
  • Royalty-free music creation
Read full description

Create professional quality music in minutes with the original multi-genre version of the award-winning SessionBand – the world's only chord-based loop app. “Perfect for songwriters, producers, singers and music newbies“ 148 Apps SessionBand instantly converts the chords you select into studio-quality audio - wherever you are, whatever your level of ability and whatever your type of music. With over 80,000 chord-based audio loops created by the UK's top session musicians and producers now included as part of the download, creating your own royalty-free music is minutes away – even if you can't play a note! From cutting-edge Guetta-style Pop/Dance, to authentic Deep House, Britpop or Bluegrass. From Pop Rock to Grime, there are 71 styles to suit every taste with the SessionBand Original app and once you've created a track in one style, sit back and hear it played in all the other styles...instantly. Little wonder that SessionBand Original has reached No 1 in the paid music app rankings in 34 countries since launch. “Remarkably polished“ Forbes “Create like a master“ Engadget “This app has numerous features to make your track sound professional and stunning“ AppPicker Watch the video at sessionbandapp.com PLEASE NOTE – THE EXCLUSIVE MUSICAL CONTENT IN THIS APP IS NOT DUPLICATED IN ANY OF THE OTHER SESSIONBAND APPS. The fastest way to create studio-quality music... • Simply pick one of 71 styles • Choose your chords • Stretch or shorten loops in seconds • Build up a full track in minutes • Instantly hear your track across all the other styles! • Auto-transpose your entire track (not electronic pitch shift!) • Mix your track (manual or automated) • Adjust track tempo (+/- 15%) • Record direct to audio • Copy straight to other music apps (if you want to) • Share with the world! Unique features that revolutionise songwriting... • Create a track in one style and 'flip' it to hear it in all the other styles...instantly • Listen to your R&B track with a Reggae vibe or your Rock track in Dubstep. • Build a complete track in a few minutes with all-new 'Track Builder' • Mix, record and export your tracks in minutes Get the UK's best musicians and producers working on your songs! - Benefit from the people who record with some of the world's biggest stars including Mariah Carey, Kylie Minogue, Leona Lewis, Mel C, Van Morrison, Mark Knopfler, Sugababes and Cheryl Cole. - Over 80,000 copyright-free audio loops covering 71 diverse styles they have been created exclusively for SessionBand now included with the download. Create great sounding real music on the go... • No internet access required once the app and all the styles are downloaded • Create studio-quality music absolutely anywhere! Anyone can create and release professional tracks with SessionBand... • No musical experience required • Simple, intuitive interface allows easy chord/loop selection and manipulation • Audition loops as you go • Build a full track in minutes • Highly educational and great fun • All SessionBand loops are copyright-free so you can include them freely in your music whether it's for commercial release or not Get more for your money... - The download now includes all 71 sets of audio loops covering a wide range of styles from Acoustic, Blues and Dance all the way through to Hip Hop/Rap, Rock and Urban/R&B.

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

SessionBand Original4 screens
RealPlay4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: RealPlay at Free against SessionBand Original's $8.99. RealPlay also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.8) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 months). SessionBand Original's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.0). On ratings volume, 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

RealPlay is free to download; SessionBand Original costs $8.99 up front. RealPlay sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.29 per month. SessionBand Original asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

RealPlay holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 87 and 170 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 52% of SessionBand Original's written reviews are positive against 73% of RealPlay's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SessionBand Original ships an update every 2 months, RealPlay every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
SessionBand Original versus RealPlay: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSessionBand OriginalRealPlay
Price$8.99Free — better
Rating3.8 (87 ratings)4.8 (170 ratings) — better
Positive reviews51.7% of reviews73.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings87170 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFreemium — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size1000 MB113 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperUK Music Apps LtdRealPlay LLC

Customer experience

SessionBand Original

All ratings87 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral10.3%
Negative23.0%
Written reviews180 reviews
Positive51.7%
Neutral17.8%
Negative30.6%

RealPlay

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

Bugs and requests

SessionBand Original

Reported bugs

23 issues
  • App crashes when saving chord progressions
  • App crashes when editing chords
  • App crashes when adding more than one chord
  • App crashes after importing files
  • App crashes on iPhone X when returning to app
Show 18 more
  • App crashes when headphones are connected
  • App crashes frequently during normal use
  • App fails to launch after updates
  • App hangs during installation
  • Downloads randomly stop after 5-10 seconds
  • Audio distortion issues
  • Tempo not matching set BPM
  • Exported audio out of sync with metronome
  • Exported files shorter than expected
  • Lag when exporting to other DAWs like Cubasis
  • Sharp/flat buttons not responding
  • App freezes when scrolling text input
  • Loop playback doesn't match visual GUI
  • Exported audio includes muted channels
  • Audio quality degradation when changing speed
  • Timing issues when exporting
  • BPM inconsistency between app versions
  • Audiobus export sends entire mix despite muting channels

Requested features

25 requests
  • Audiobus compatibility
  • MIDI file export functionality
  • Pause/play button in edit mode
  • Real-time MIDI keyboard input support
  • Zoomed-out preview for full page view during performance
Show 20 more
  • PDF export capability
  • Slash chord support
  • Song part coloring options
  • Ability to mix and match styles between packs
  • Key change within song functionality
  • More chord variations (9ths, diminished, 6ths, etc.)
  • Batch download for all styles at once
  • Background audio playback capability
  • More jazz, funk, fusion, and pop styles
  • Melody line feature
  • Tempo and style change during song
  • Automation mode
  • Copy/paste functionality for multiple measures
  • Variations within same style
  • Ableton Link support
  • Ability to use saved chord progressions across all packs
  • More Irish/Celtic jigs and reels styles
  • Audio recording over backing tracks
  • Pinch zoom functionality
  • Scroll position marker on scroll bar

RealPlay

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

SessionBand Original

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

RealPlay

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

Questions

Is SessionBand Original free?
SessionBand Original costs $8.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is RealPlay free?
RealPlay is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SessionBand Original or RealPlay?
RealPlay is rated higher. SessionBand Original averages 3.8 out of 5 from 87 ratings, while RealPlay averages 4.8 from 170 ratings.
Do SessionBand Original or RealPlay have ads?
Neither SessionBand Original nor RealPlay shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SessionBand Original or RealPlay?
SessionBand Original ships an update every 2 months, and RealPlay every 5 days. Most recently, SessionBand Original was updated on October 26, 2026 and RealPlay on October 28, 2026.

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