# Playback vs MX

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Playback at 66% against MX's 16%. Playback also leads on rating (4.8 vs 2.1) and ratings volume (4.3K vs 279). MX's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 5 weeks). On price and ads there is nothing between them.

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

Playback holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 2.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Playback has 4.3K ratings behind it against 279, 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 MX's.

Playback ships an update every 5 weeks, MX every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 20, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Playback | MX |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (4.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/playback/id751755884/reviews)** | [2.1 (279 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mx-q/id1471505954/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **4.3K** | 279 |
| Positive reviews | **66.3% of reviews** | 15.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 132 MB | 17 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [MultiTracks.com](https://appshunter.io/developer/751755887) | [Empower Tribe Innovations DE GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/1447618711) |

## What reviewers say

### Playback

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

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


### MX

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mx-q/id1471505954)

Control your personal monitor mix directly from your mobile device. This app offers intuitive remote control for volume and panning of input channels to auxiliary buses, with customizable groupings for easy adjustments during performances. Ideal for musicians and performers seeking flexible and personalized monitoring.

**Highlights:** 4 customizable MCAs for group channel adjustments, Control over Mono and Stereo Bus sends, Individual volume and panorama control, Portrait/landscape orientation support, Remote control for audio mixers

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and intuitive user interface for monitor mixing
- 🎵 Effective personal in-ear mix control functionality
- 🔌 Automatic device detection and connection capability
- 📱 Works across multiple iOS devices (iPhone, iPad)
- 🎚️ Responsive faders when functioning properly

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Screen doesn't stay awake during use - requires manual unlock
- 🔌 Frequent disconnections from mixer board
- ⏱️ Long reconnection times and parameter transfer delays
- 📊 Missing signal level meters on individual channels
- 🎚️ Removed grouping/filtering functionality for custom channel views

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on launch or connection
- Screen auto-locks during active use
- Connection drops frequently during performance
- IP address not saved between sessions
- App freezes on scanning or connecting screens

**Requested features**

- Restore signal level/VU meters for each channel
- Bring back channel grouping and filtering capabilities
- Add ability to keep screen from auto-locking during use
- Implement IP address saving and auto-reconnection
- Restore previous UI layout and design


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Playback free?

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

### Is MX free?

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

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

Playback is rated higher. Playback averages 4.8 out of 5 from 4.3K ratings, while MX averages 2.1 from 279 ratings.

### Do Playback or MX have ads?

Neither Playback nor MX shows ads.

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

Playback ships an update every 5 weeks, and MX every 2 weeks. Most recently, Playback was updated on October 20, 2026 and MX on October 20, 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.*