URL Beamer vs Playlist Genius
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
URL Beamer
This utility plugin allows you to launch other applications from within your audio host using tappable buttons. It's ideal for quick app switching during live performances or studio workflows, with optional MIDI note output for controlling other plugins or host functions.
- AUv3 plugin formats (Effect/Instrument)
- Customizable buttons for app launching
- Optional MIDI note output
- MIDI note input for button triggering
- File Manager for settings
- AUv3 Plugin State Saving
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URL Beamer is an AUv3 plugin for iOS that launches other apps from within your audio host. It provides tappable buttons that trigger custom URL schemes – ideal for quick app switching during live performance or studio workflow. You can insert it as either an Audio Effect or an Instrument in hosts like AUM, then launch external apps with a single tap. Optionally, each button can also send a MIDI note (on a chosen channel), letting you control other plugins or trigger global functions inside the host. Features • AUv3 plugin formats: Music Effect (aumf), Instrument (aumu) • 4 or 8 customizable buttons per instance • Buttons launch apps via custom URLs or universal links • Optional MIDI Note output (Note + Channel) • Basic MIDI Note input for button triggering • Minimal layout – fits tightly into your setup • File Manager for saving and loading settings • AUv3 Plugin State Saving + AU Presets • Parameter Mapping for remote MIDI control • Designed for AUM – works in other AUv3 hosts too Use it to switch apps, load presets, or control devices – all from a tiny plugin window. Note: URL Beamer does not play sound or process audio. It is a utility plugin intended for workflow enhancements in iOS audio environments. → For a complete description, see the documentation: https://novotny.klingt.org/Apps/URLBeamer/UserGuide
Playlist Genius
Instantly create personalized playlists for any mood or activity by describing your desired vibe. This app integrates with your Apple Music library and allows interactive chat features to refine your music selections. You can even edit song intros and outros directly within the app.
- AI playlist generation
- Describe mood/vibe for playlists
- Direct Apple Music integration
- Interactive playlist chat
- Edit song intros/outros
- Save playlists to Apple Music
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Tired of the same old recommendations? Describe any mood, vibe, or activity, and let Playlist Genius instantly craft the perfect playlist for you, saved directly to your Apple Music library. From "rainy day indie focus" to "80s workout classics," your ideal soundtrack is just a prompt away. Chat with your playlist: ask anything like "what's the mood of this playlist?" or take action with "order by artist" or "remove all the live versions". Does the beginning of that song bore you? Cut it! Simply swipe up/down the controls under the timeline to cut the beginning or the end.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Playlist Genius at 5.0 against URL Beamer's 4.5. URL Beamer's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15 vs 18.5). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Playlist Genius holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 3 respectively.
URL Beamer ships an update every 5 weeks, Playlist Genius monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | URL Beamer | Playlist Genius |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (8 ratings) | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better |
| Number of ratings | 8 — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15 — better | 18.5 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 15 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | +12 |
| Developer | Josef Novotny | Davide Buldrini |
Customer experience
URL Beamer
Playlist Genius
In-app purchases
URL Beamer
No in-app purchases
Playlist Genius
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is URL Beamer free?
Is Playlist Genius free?
Which has better reviews, URL Beamer or Playlist Genius?
Do URL Beamer or Playlist Genius have ads?
Which is updated more often, URL Beamer or Playlist Genius?
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