# PlayStems vs NotePulse

The clearest difference is price: PlayStems at Free against NotePulse's $0.99. NotePulse's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On update cadence, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

PlayStems is free to download; NotePulse costs $0.99 up front. PlayStems sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. NotePulse asks for nothing beyond the download.

PlayStems ships an update every 3 weeks, NotePulse every 10 days. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | PlayStems | NotePulse |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $0.99 |
| Rating | **[1.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/playstems-audio-stem-player/id6773736611/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **1** | — |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 10 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 47 MB | 5 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **17.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Matthias Santer](https://appshunter.io/developer/1538440760) | [Noorcon Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/656997884) |

## What reviewers say

### PlayStems

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/playstems-audio-stem-player/id6773736611)

This app allows musicians to isolate and manipulate individual instrument tracks from stereo songs or multi-track stems. Practice complex sections, learn by ear, or create backing tracks with on-device AI processing for complete privacy.

**Highlights:** On-device AI stem splitting, Multi-track mixer, Variable tempo and pitch control, Loopable practice markers, Offline audio processing, Per-stem volume and pan adjustment

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full version | $4.99 | one-time |


### NotePulse

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notepulse-midi-visualizer/id6810961670)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PlayStems free?

PlayStems is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is NotePulse free?

NotePulse costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Do PlayStems or NotePulse have ads?

Neither PlayStems nor NotePulse shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, PlayStems or NotePulse?

PlayStems ships an update every 3 weeks, and NotePulse every 10 days. Most recently, PlayStems was updated on October 31, 2026 and NotePulse on October 31, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*