Audio Unit Player vs KQ Audio Player
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Audio Unit Player
This music player offers real-time audio processing, including time stretching, pitch shifting, and a 31-band equalizer. It supports AUv3 effects and allows for A-B loop playback, making it ideal for practice, transcription, and performance adjustments.
- Real-time time stretch (50-200%)
- Real-time pitch shift (-12 to +12 semitones)
- 31-band equalizer with presets
- AUv3 effects support
- A-B loop playback
- Background playback
- Audio file export
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This app is a music player that can process the following effects in real time. - Time stretch (0.5-2.0 double speed) - Pitch shift (-1 ~ +1 octave) - 31 band equalizer - Reverb - AUv3 (Audio Unit v3) host [Use cases] - Karaoke's training. (Can be changed speed units of 10%, pitch shift in semitones easily) - Can playback at reduced tempo to copy phrase for guitar or bass, the keyboard instrument. - Can playback by changing the pitch to play by changing the key in the band performance (Developer himself has experience). [Function] - Perform time stretch (50 - 200%) / pitch shift (-12 - +12) in real time. - 31 bands EQ (Hz: 20, 25, 31.5, 40, 50, 63, 80, 100, 125, 160, 200, 250, 315, 400, 500, 630, 800, 1k, 1.25k, 1.6k, 2k, 2.5k, 3.15k, 4k, 5k, 6.3k, 8k, 10k, 12.5k, 16k, 20k). - EQ preset (Abundant Built-in Presets / Custom Presets). - Reverb: Adjustable decay time (Low freq, High freq) / 13 presets - Reverb preset (Built-in Presets / Custom Presets) - Can be used as an AUv3 host. - A-B loop playback. - Center Cancel / Center Emphasis. - Lch, Rch each mute. - Quick fast forward, rewind (specify the number of seconds). - Check and set current position graphically in wave view. - Supports Auto-Lock ON/OFF. - Supports background playback. - Supports export (file writing) function (Each effect (speed/pitch/EQ) value set for each song is also reflected. The range specified in the loop section is output.) In addition to loading "music" data included in the standard music app, it also supports the function to import audio files from other apps ("Voice Memos" etc.). [How to import from "Voice Memos"] 1. Start the app "Voice Memos" and tap the mark "..." of the file to be imported from the list. 2. Tap "Share" on the sheet displayed from the bottom. 3. Tap "More" found by scrolling the displayed list of sharing destination apps to the right. 4. Select "AU Player" if available. The file is copied to this app. ================================================ [Note 1] This application will not be able to read songs of the following formats. - Songs from Apple Music, iCloud, iTunes Match - Songs that are protected by digital copyright (DRM) [Note 2] Depending on the state of your device, your custom AUv3 effects may not appear in the list. As a solution, you can solve the problem by starting "GarageBand" once and restarting this app. ================================================
KQ Audio Player
A music player designed for practice and everyday listening. Offers advanced playback controls like speed and pitch adjustment, along with library management and custom settings for individual tracks. Supports various audio file formats.
- Music playback
- Library folders
- Playlist creation
- Playback speed control
- Pitch adjustment
- Marker Function
- A-B Repeat Between Markers
- Equalizer function
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KQ Audio Player is a simple yet feature-rich music player, designed to provide greater comfort in your music life. The app is also good for practice. You can change the playback rate and pitch. How about using this app as your everyday music player? Key Features - Music playback: Enjoy smooth and seamless playback of your favorite songs - Shake to change the playback speed. - Library folders: You can freely specify folders for song libraries. - Playlist creation: Easily create and manage your own playlists - Playback speed control: Adjust the tempo of tracks as needed - Pitch adjustment (Available when not using the system default engine) - Marker Function: Set markers at any point in a track (Available when not using the system default engine) - A-B Repeat Between Markers (Available when not using the system default engine) - Equalizer function (Available when not using the system default engine) - Play Audio Files: Supports playback of .m4a, .mp3, .flac, .wav, .mid files (Available when not using the system default engine). - MIDI file playback (Available when not using the system default engine) - Single-track playback mode: Automatically stops after playing one song - Per-song custom settings: Save individual equalizer and playback speed settings (Globe/3-Sliders Icon) - The volume in this app is independent from the device's volume (Only when not using the system default engine) - Hi-res support: Up to 192kHz (Only when not using the system default engine) Settings: - Playback Rate - Pitch Adjustment* - Repeat Mode - Volume (Independent from Device Settings*) - Song Libraries* (Specify folders) - Equalizer* - Motion* - Reduce Stereo Width* - Time Interval between Songs* - Start Delay* - Sample Rate* - Ping before Playing* - Keep Audio Session Active* - Prevent Sleep - Skip Time - Sort Order - Show Wave View* - Use File Name as Title* - Detect Infinite Loop* (for MIDI files) - Use System Engine *Available when not using system engine. Important Notes - Using the system default engine allows playback of DRM-protected and online music, but some features will be restricted. By default, the system engine is disabled. - Changing the playback speed, changing the pitch, using the equalizer, or MIDI file playback will increase battery consumption. - Settings cannot be fully restored from backups, and exporting playlists to other devices is not supported. I recommend that you use the system music app's playlists. This app and its description contain automatically generated text. This app does not contain any songs.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Audio Unit Player at Free against KQ Audio Player's $4.99. Audio Unit Player also leads on ratings volume (30 vs 1). KQ Audio Player's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 3.9) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). On monetization model, 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
Audio Unit Player is free to download; KQ Audio Player costs $4.99 up front. Audio Unit Player sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. KQ Audio Player asks for nothing beyond the download.
KQ Audio Player holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Audio Unit Player has 30 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of Audio Unit Player's written reviews are positive against 100% of KQ Audio Player's.
Audio Unit Player ships an update every 2 weeks, KQ Audio Player every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Audio Unit Player | KQ Audio Player |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $4.99 |
| Rating | 3.9 (30 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 30 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 16 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Loop-Sessions.LLC. | Ryouta Kira |
Customer experience
Audio Unit Player
KQ Audio Player
In-app purchases
Audio Unit Player
- Always remove banner ads.$3.99
KQ Audio Player
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Audio Unit Player free?
Is KQ Audio Player free?
Which has better reviews, Audio Unit Player or KQ Audio Player?
Do Audio Unit Player or KQ Audio Player have ads?
Which is updated more often, Audio Unit Player or KQ Audio Player?
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