Comparison

nexTrack vs playDesk Remote

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

Head to head
About

nexTrack

Stream your high-resolution audio files losslessly through DLNA/UPnP. This app automatically discovers media servers and audio devices, offering seamless integration with your music collection and sound system. Enjoy features like custom playlists, Last.fm scrobbling, and a sleep timer.

Highlights
  • Hi-res DLNA/UPnP streaming
  • Browse UPnP servers and network shares
  • Sync with Plex servers
  • nexTrack Connect for device control
  • Custom playlist building
  • Last.fm scrobbling
  • WatchOS app support
Features
Read full description

Stream your music library in pristine quality with nexTrack's lossless DLNA/UPnP streaming. Enjoy your high-resolution audio files at their original bitrate with zero compression or quality loss. nexTrack automatically discovers your local media servers and hi-fi audio devices, creating a seamless connection between your music collection and your premium sound system. - Hi-res streaming through DLNA / UPnP - Browse UPnP servers or network shares (SMB) - Sync with Plex servers - nexTrack Connect - Control other devices with nexTrack Connect. Ideal for Apple Music Hi-Res - Connect your Apple Music account for use with nexTrack Connect - Bookmark your preferred music servers for instant access - Pin your most-played albums, artists, tracks and folders for quick discovery - Build a custom playlist and queue up your listening sessions - Sync local libraries for better browsing experience - Stream to AirPlay devices with convenience (note: quality depends on AirPlay compression) - Last.fm scrobbling - Sleep timer - WatchOS app - App intents Terms of use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

playDesk Remote

Features
Read full description

playDesk Remote puts your playDesk music system in your hand. Browse music, choose what plays, follow the current track, manage the queue, and control the playback computer from your iPhone or iPad while you stay in the listening chair. playDesk runs on the dedicated computer connected to your speakers, DAC, audio interface, or hi-fi system. The Remote communicates directly with that computer over your home Wi-Fi or LAN. The host keeps ownership of your music files and audio output; your iPhone or iPad acts as a responsive control surface. YOUR MUSIC, YOUR NETWORK Your music remains on the playDesk computer, configured library folders, CDs, and connected USB drives. playDesk Remote does not upload your music library to a cloud service. Discovery and control happen over your local network. BROWSE AND PLAY - Browse configured Local Library folders and attached USB drives - Navigate folders, play individual tracks, play complete folders, or shuffle them - Browse CDs and control disc playback - Search the playDesk index by artist, album, folder, and track - Filter and sort search results, revisit recent searches, and expand collections to choose individual tracks - View the complete playback queue, identify the current and next track, and select another queued track NOW PLAYING - See album artwork, title, artist, album, source, duration, and playback progress - Play, pause, stop, seek, and skip tracks - Adjust software volume and mute when supported by the selected playDesk output mode - Review useful format and signal information, including PCM or DSD format, sample rate, output mode, and selected audio path - Follow preparation and buffering states for DSD files and network-rendered media CONTROL YOUR PLAYDESK - Automatically discover nearby playDesk systems with Bonjour - Connect using a saved system or the LAN address shown by playDesk - See active playback before connecting and stop it when needed - Monitor CD, USB, Local Library, DSD, and optional renderer readiness - Configure supported output, PCM/CD, DSD, renderer, search, storage, and remote settings - Review output availability, connection health, host status, and actionable diagnostics - Choose System, Light, or Dark appearance BUILT FOR A DEDICATED LISTENING SYSTEM playDesk Remote is designed for systems where a quiet computer stays near the audio equipment and handles playback through the selected output. Supported setups can include built-in audio, Windows audio devices, USB DACs, compatible ASIO interfaces, safe DSD-to-PCM playback, and DSD-over-PCM for outputs explicitly trusted by the user. Optional UPnP/DLNA Media Renderer support lets compatible control-point apps send music to playDesk. The Remote can then show the metadata, artwork, progress, preparation state, and queue context supplied by the sender and playDesk. REQUIREMENTS - A computer running a compatible, current version of playDesk - The iPhone or iPad and playDesk computer connected to the same local network - Local Network access enabled for playDesk Remote on iOS - playDesk running and allowed to communicate on the host computer's private network playDesk Remote is a controller for playDesk. It does not play your library through the iPhone or iPad and does not replace the playDesk host application. Learn more: https://sharadaaudio.com/discover-playdesk/ Privacy Policy: https://sharadaaudio.com/privacy-policy/ Terms of Use: https://sharadaaudio.com/terms-of-use/ Built by Sharada Software & Systems Services LLC DBA Sharada Audio.

Screenshots

nexTrack4 screens
playDesk Remote4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: playDesk Remote at none against nexTrack's 2. nexTrack's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 6 weeks) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, ads and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. nexTrack sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per year. playDesk Remote asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

nexTrack ships an update weekly, playDesk Remote every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences ยท 5 level
nexTrack versus playDesk Remote: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameternexTrackplayDesk Remote
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews50.0% of reviewsโ€”
Update frequencyWeekly โ€” betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo โ€” better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesโ€”
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch โ€” betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.617.0 โ€” better
Further details โ€” not scored
Size39 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDon JonesSharada Software & Systems Services LLC

In-app purchases

2 purchases

nexTrack

Subscriptions1
  • nextrack$4.991 Year
One-time1
  • One-time$44.99
None

playDesk Remote

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is nexTrack free?
nexTrack is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is playDesk Remote free?
playDesk Remote is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do nexTrack or playDesk Remote have ads?
Neither nexTrack nor playDesk Remote shows ads.
Which is updated more often, nexTrack or playDesk Remote?
nexTrack ships an update weekly, and playDesk Remote every 6 weeks. Most recently, nexTrack was updated on October 30, 2026 and playDesk Remote on October 24, 2026.

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