# Playback vs MonitorMix

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Playback at 66% against MonitorMix's 16%. Playback also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.0) and update cadence (monthly vs every 7 months). MonitorMix's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3). On price, ads and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Playback sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. MonitorMix asks for nothing beyond the download.

Playback holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Playback has 4.3K ratings behind it against 87, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 66% of Playback's written reviews are positive against 16% of MonitorMix's.

Playback ships an update monthly, MonitorMix every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Playback | MonitorMix |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (4.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/playback/id751755884/reviews)** | [3.0 (87 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/monitormix-us/id1001345675/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **4.3K** | 87 |
| Positive reviews | **66.0% of reviews** | 16.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 7 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#200** | — |
| Size | 132 MB | 67 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 16 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [MultiTracks.com](https://appshunter.io/developer/751755887) | [Yamaha Corporation of America](https://appshunter.io/developer/408058585) |

## What reviewers say

### Playback

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/playback/id751755884)

**Currently charting:** #200 Top Grossing · Music (US App Store)

This app transforms your device into a powerful multi-track player for worship teams. It integrates with other worship production tools, offers advanced features like automation and MIDI control, and provides an intuitive interface for volunteers.

**Highlights:** Multi-track audio playback, Integration with worship production tools, Automation and MIDI control, Custom song arrangements, Setlist management, Ambient pad player

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro | $4.99 | per month |
| Pro | $8.99 | per month |
| Premium | $14.99 | per month |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 👍 Powerful features
- 🚀 Seamless playback
- 🚀 Intuitive interface
- 👍 Great for small churches

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and glitches
- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🔒 Difficult to use on multiple devices
- 🔒 Lack of free trial or demo
- 🐛 Inconsistent behavior after updates

**Reported bugs**

- Click track and guide audio issues
- Playback freezing or crashing on certain devices
- Syncing problems between multiple devices
- Rental tracks not loading properly

**Requested features**

- Ability to create and save custom setlists
- More advanced editing capabilities for individual tracks
- Tempo and key change options during live performance
- Improved MIDI integration for lyrics and lighting control
- Standalone version without subscription requirement


### MonitorMix

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/monitormix-us/id1001345675)

Control individual mix, matrix, and auxiliary buses wirelessly from your mobile device. Performers can easily adjust their assigned buses without complex settings, creating personalized group adjustments for simplified control.

**Highlights:** Wireless personal mixing, Control MIX/MATRIX/AUX buses, Individual performer control, Simplified settings, Customizable group settings, One-fader level adjustment

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Game changer for mixes
- 👍 Great for personal monitor mixes
- 👍 Works well with QL5
- 👍 Seamless operation with QL5
- 👍 Usable remote features

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Connection issues on iOS
- 🐛 App not finding mixer
- 🐛 Spinning wheel of death
- 🐛 IP address deletion bug
- 🐛 "Lock channel" feature not disableable

**Reported bugs**

- IP address won't recognize '0'
- IP address deleting zeros when entering manually
- Cannot type IP addresses manually on iPhone
- App requests access to local network but doesn't show in settings
- iPhone stuck synchronizing

**Requested features**

- Keep phone awake while using app
- Control GEQ and PEQ for monitor
- Admin control over GEQ/PEQ activation
- Lighter text color for network list


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Playback free?

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

### Is MonitorMix free?

MonitorMix is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Playback or MonitorMix?

Playback is rated higher. Playback averages 4.8 out of 5 from 4.3K ratings, while MonitorMix averages 3.0 from 87 ratings.

### Do Playback or MonitorMix have ads?

Neither Playback nor MonitorMix shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Playback or MonitorMix?

Playback ships an update monthly, and MonitorMix every 7 months. Most recently, Playback was updated on October 15, 2026 and MonitorMix on October 12, 2026.

---

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