Comparison

PonPlayer vs GM Sampler

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

Head to head
About

PonPlayer

Features
Read full description

PonPlayer is a soundboard app that lets you play sound effects and music at exactly the right moment. With 12 pads across 5 pages, you can access up to 60 sounds quickly and easily. It is perfect for live streaming, events, parties, presentations, and any situation where timing matters. 【Features】 ・12 pads × 5 pages, with support for up to 60 sounds ・Simultaneous playback of multiple sounds ・Adjust start position, end position, and playback level for each sound ・Multiple playback modes ・ONCE: play once ・Tap: tap repeatedly to layer playback ・REPEAT: loop playback ・WHILE: play only while holding the button ・Save and load pad layouts and settings as projects ・Import audio files from your iPhone with IMPORT ・Record audio directly in the app and use it immediately as a sound source ・Upload files from a PC on the same LAN with the built-in FileServer feature 【How to Use】 ・Tap [NewProject] to create a new project ・Tap [EDIT MODE], then tap a pad to open the edit screen ・Use [IMPORT] to add audio from your iPhone, or [LoadFile] to select audio already stored in the project ・If you want to create a new sound, use [Record] to record audio directly in the app ・Adjust the playback start position with [HEAD] ・Adjust playback level with [LEVEL] ・Choose a playback mode and tap [SAVE] to assign the sound ・Switch between pages with [1] to [5] ・Use [SaveProject] to save your current setup and [OpenProject] to load it again ・Tap the gear icon in the top right to open Settings, where you can use FileServer and purchase Premium All features are available during the 30-day trial period after installation. After the trial ends, EDIT MODE will be disabled. Purchase the Premium plan to continue using all features.

About

GM Sampler

This app is a professional audio sampler and timer designed for live event operation, including tabletop RPG sessions and theater. It allows users to trigger music and sound effects, organize audio by scene, and manage timing cues from a mobile interface.

Highlights
  • 16-pad soundboard with 100 pages
  • Flexible playback modes (polyphony, monophonic, crossfade)
  • Detailed pad customization (name, color, loop, gain)
  • Fast audio import from cloud services
  • Fullscreen timer (stopwatch/countdown)
  • Backup and sharing of setups
  • Bluetooth speaker keepalive
Features
Read full description

GMApp is a professional audio sampler and timer for game masters, tabletop RPG sessions, murder mystery events, theater, rehearsals, streaming, and live event operation. It helps you trigger music and sound effects at the right moment, organize large sound sets by scene, and run sessions from a clean mobile interface. Designed for live use Run background music, one-shot effects, ambience, scene transitions, and timing cues from one iPhone or iPad. GMApp is built for hosts and operators who need quick, confident control during a performance or session. Who it is for - Murder mystery and story game hosts - Tabletop RPG GMs and keepers - Theater, rehearsal, reading, and small-stage sound operators - Streamers and event hosts who need reliable BGM and SFX playback - Creators managing many audio files across multiple scenes Core features 16-pad soundboard with up to 100 pages Each page provides a 4 x 4 pad layout. Create up to 100 pages, for a total of 1,600 pads, and organize sound cues by scenario, chapter, act, location, battle, or scene. Flexible playback modes Choose the right behavior for each pad or session: - Polyphony: layer ambience, BGM, and sound effects together. - Monophonic: switch cleanly between single sound sources. - Crossfade: transition naturally between music tracks, with adjustable fade time. Tap behavior can also be set to retrigger from the beginning or toggle pause/resume. Detailed pad customization Customize each pad with a display name, color, loop setting, and gain level. Color-coded pads and clear names make it easier to operate under pressure during a live session. Fast audio import Import local audio files from the iOS share sheet, Google Drive, Dropbox, or ZIP archives. This makes it easy to prepare a full show, session, or scenario audio set in advance. Bluetooth speaker keepalive option For long quiet scenes, optional wireless speaker keepalive playback can help reduce the chance of Bluetooth or AirPlay speakers sleeping between cues. Fullscreen timer for sessions and events Use stopwatch or countdown mode, from short scene timers to long event blocks. Fullscreen mode makes the timer easy for everyone at the table or in the room to see. Backup and sharing Export and import page-level ZIP packages and full backups. Move setups between devices, preserve a production-ready sound board, or share cue structures with another operator. Audio formats AAC, AIF, AIFF, CAF, FLAC, M4A, MP3, OGG, and WAV are supported. Compatibility may vary by device and OS. GMApp is made for creators who want the story, scene, or performance to flow without fighting the sound board. Legal notice: https://gmapp.souko.work/tokusho

Screenshots

PonPlayer3 screens
GM Sampler4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: PonPlayer at Free against GM Sampler's $1.99. GM Sampler's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On update cadence, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

PonPlayer is free to download; GM Sampler costs $1.99 up front. PonPlayer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. GM Sampler asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 6 level
PonPlayer versus GM Sampler: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPonPlayerGM Sampler
PriceFree — better$1.99
Positive reviews—50.0% of reviews
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
Monetization—Paid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.614.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB99 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHTLabtakashi masuda

In-app purchases

1 purchases

PonPlayer

One-time1
  • PremiumPlan$5.99
None

GM Sampler

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PonPlayer free?
PonPlayer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is GM Sampler free?
GM Sampler costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do PonPlayer or GM Sampler have ads?
Neither PonPlayer nor GM Sampler shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PonPlayer or GM Sampler?
PonPlayer ships an update every 3 weeks, and GM Sampler every 3 weeks. Most recently, PonPlayer was updated on October 5, 2026 and GM Sampler on September 23, 2026.

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