Comparison

OnStem vs PlayStems

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

Head to head
About

OnStem

Features
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OnStem: AI Music Separation is an on-device AI-powered music separation tool that allows you to split audio tracks into individual stems with privacy and performance in mind. Powered by optimized local inference based on the open-source Spleeter project, OnStem performs all audio processing entirely on your device, without uploading files to any server. Key Features AI Music Separation Separate audio into 2 stems: Vocal and Accompaniment Separate audio into 5 stems: Vocal, Piano, Drums, Bass, and Accompaniment On-Device AI Processing All processing runs locally using on-device AI models No audio files are uploaded or shared Your content stays private on your device Optimized for Long Audio Custom optimizations allow processing of very long audio files Designed for stability and efficiency on mobile devices Multiple Export Formats Export separated tracks as MP3, WAV, M4A, or AAC Easily integrate with other audio tools and workflows Privacy First OnStem is a local-first application. All selected files are processed on your device only. No audio data or personal information is collected, stored, or uploaded. Subscriptions and Purchases OnStem offers both subscription plans and a one-time purchase option. Monthly subscription Quarterly subscription Annual subscription One-time lifetime purchase (where available) Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription at any time in your Apple ID account settings. Prices may vary by region and are displayed before purchase. Legal Privacy Policy https://github.com/yangliu-1995/stemify-legal/blob/main/Privacy-Policy/EN.md Terms of Use https://github.com/yangliu-1995/stemify-legal/blob/main/Term-of-Use/EN.md OnStem is designed for creators who value privacy, performance, and on-device AI processing.

About

PlayStems

Features
Read full description

PlayStems is a powerful yet easy-to-use multi-track audio player designed for musicians. Import songs, split them into stems, and play all audio tracks perfectly in sync across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Build your own song library with custom titles and artists, add multiple audio files to each song, and control every stem independently with a built-in mixer. Adjust playback speed and pitch in real time, jump through tracks with intuitive drag gestures, and create loop ranges for practice or live performance. Features: * Multi-track stem playback in perfect sync * Song library with custom titles and artists * Import and manage multiple audio files per song * Individual and master volume controls * Real-time speed and pitch adjustment * Smooth forward/backward scrubbing gestures * Loop playback for selected time ranges * AI-powered stem splitting into vocals, drums, bass, and other instruments tracks (runs on your device) Whether you’re rehearsing, performing live, remixing, or practicing difficult sections, StemSync gives you complete control over your music. # Free version * Free version is limited to 1 song if the user does not consent to analytics * With analytics consent, the free version is limited to 5 songs # Full version * Full version (perpetual license) has no limitations * HQ stem splitting models available for download (requires iOS 26.4 or later and about 2 GB of available memory on recent iPhone, iPad, or Mac with Apple Silicon).

Screenshots

OnStem3 screens
PlayStems4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: PlayStems at none against OnStem's shown. On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. OnStem sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and PlayStems sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

OnStem ships an update every 3 weeks, PlayStems every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on September 9, 2026 and September 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference Β· 5 level
OnStem versus PlayStems: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOnStemPlayStems
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 11 days β€” better
AdsYesNo β€” better
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.018.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size137 MB48 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer阳 刘Matthias Santer

In-app purchases

4 purchases

OnStem

Subscriptions3
  • OnStem Pro – Monthly$0.991 Month
  • OnStem Pro – Quarterly$2.393 Months
  • OnStem Pro – Annual7 Days trial$8.991 Year
One-time1
  • OnStem Pro – Lifetime$9.99
1 purchases

PlayStems

One-time1
  • Full version$4.99

Questions

Is OnStem free?
OnStem is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PlayStems free?
PlayStems is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do OnStem or PlayStems have ads?
OnStem shows ads; PlayStems does not.
Which is updated more often, OnStem or PlayStems?
OnStem ships an update every 3 weeks, and PlayStems every 11 days. Most recently, OnStem was updated on September 9, 2026 and PlayStems on September 14, 2026.

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