Comparison

Playback vs StageWave

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

Head to head
About

Playback

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
Read full description

Playback turns your Apple device into a simple, yet powerful MultiTrack player that works seamlessly with the rest of the MultiTracks.com ecosystem of products like ChartBuilder®, RehearsalMix®, and the Church Streaming License®. Link your Planning Center account and have setlists you create automatically appear in Playback. Pairing Playback with our ProPresenter Templates gives it access to pre-made MIDI Cues that perfectly sync lyrics to your tracks. Playback has been optimized to be the best tracks solution for a worship team. While it has powerful features like automation, custom song arrangements, MIDI in/out, and even support for SMPTE timecode, it’s easy and intuitive for new volunteers. A Playback Rentals subscription is an easy and affordable way to quickly access the MultiTracks from our ever expanding library of over 24,000 original master recordings. Any previous tracks purchases from MultiTracks.com are instantly available in your Playback library. Already have your own tracks? Upload them to your library with a Cloud Pro subscription so that they can be accessed in Playback. Playback Sync® automatically scrolls charts in the ChartBuilder app to always match where you are in a song. No extra cables needed since it’s all done over Wi-Fi. This ensures your team is literally all on the same page! Pad Player® lets you to stay in the moment with ambient pads underneath every song and transition in your setlist. INTRO (Free) - Build & save setlists - Solo, mute & adjust track volumes - Set custom start & end times - Tempo/key change to all 12 keys - Play ambient pads underneath songs - Access any song in the catalog with a Playback Rentals Subscription - Song transitions - AutoPan - Add click-and-pad-only songs to setlists - Adjust click track subdivisions - Live Crossfade between songs - Reference the original song mix PREMIUM (Starting at $9.99/mo | Visit MultiTracks.com/Pricing) - All “Intro” features - Add, remove, rearrange, rename, & TRIM song sections - MIDI Map controls to a MIDI Controller - Loop/Infinite Loop Song Sections - Save Custom Song Arrangements w/Cloud Pro Intro or higher - Add an Infinite Click Track - Automation: Place cues anywhere in a song to trigger automations for track volumes, mute/unmute, Pad Player, & more! - Playback Remote - Send MIDI Cues to lyrics, lights & more with (Requires Live Bundle or MULTITRACKS ONE) - Live Re-Order: While audio is playing, jump to a particular Song Section - MIDI Map to a specific Song Section - Freely jump between Song Sections & Songs live using a MIDI Controller - Buses: Route your tracks out of 10 buses for better mix control - SmartRouting®: We’ve pre-assigned every track type to a bus. *Supported USB Audio Interfaces & Playback will automatically route your tracks to the available outputs - MultiOuts®: Route tracks & buses to multiple outputs with one of our *Supported USB Audio Interfaces. - Create & edit MIDI Cues directly in Playback. Save MIDI Cues to your Library with a Cloud Pro subscription - Advanced Pad Player Interface Playback Premium is also included in the Live Bundle & the MULTITRACKS ONE Bundle. *Please Note* Because access is given to Original Artist Master MultiTracks through our free ”Demo Setlist” & "Play of the Week," account registration is required for you to verify your identity and ensure compliance with Terms of Use. Price may vary by location. Subscriptions will be charged to your credit card through your iCloud account. Subscription will automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You won't be able to cancel the subscription once activated. Any unused portion of a free trial will be forfeited if you upgrade from a free subscription to a paid version. Manage your subscriptions in Account Settings after purchase. For more details on our Privacy Policy & Terms of Use for MultiTracks.com please visit: http://www.multitracks.com/privacy/ and http://www.multitracks.com/terms/

About

StageWave

This software-based system offers wireless personal audio monitoring for musicians. Control your sound mix directly from your smartphone, reducing cable clutter for live performances, recording, and practice.

Highlights
  • Wireless personal monitoring
  • Smartphone control
  • Reduced cable clutter
  • Universal equipment compatibility
  • Wi-Fi enabled connection
Read full description

Introducing StageWave: Your Ultimate Wireless Monitoring Solution! Elevate Your Sound Experience Experience the future of stage monitoring with StageWave – the cutting-edge software-based wireless monitoring system. Say goodbye to the cable clutter and embrace seamless audio control right from your smartphone! Key Features: * Minimal Cables: Cut down on clutter with fewer cables compared to traditional monitoring systems. * Smartphone Control: Take command of your monitoring mix directly from your smartphone. * Universal Compatibility: Use StageWave with your existing equipment – all you need is a digital console or audio interface, a computer, a WiFi router, and your trusty smartphone. * Wi-Fi Technology: Harness the power of Wi-Fi for a smooth and reliable connection. How It Works: 1. Connect your console or audio interface to your computer. 2. Link your computer to your router using a network cable. 3. Connect your smartphones to the router via WiFi – it's that simple! Optimize your setup with StageWave and enjoy a personalized monitoring experience like never before. Musicians take control of your sound destiny! Perfect for live performances, recording sessions, and practice sessions. Compatible with Mac and Windows with an easy ASIO setup. Configure your router for optimal performance – check our video guide for a hassle-free experience. Download StageWave now and revolutionize your audio monitoring game! Your stage, your sound, your control. *StageWave is a software-based monitoring system. Ensure compatibility with your equipment before downloading.

Screenshots

Playback4 screens
StageWave4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: StageWave at none against Playback's 3. StageWave also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.6). Playback's advantage is review sentiment (66% vs 36%) and ratings volume (4.3K vs 9). On price, rating, update cadence and ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Playback against 4.8 for StageWave. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Playback has 4.3K ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 66% of Playback's written reviews are positive against 36% of StageWave's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and August 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Playback versus StageWave: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPlaybackStageWave
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (4.3K ratings)4.8 (9 ratings)
Positive reviews66.0% of reviews — better35.7% of reviews
Number of ratings4.3K — better9
Update frequencyMonthlyMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac
Requires iOS15.612.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size132 MB35 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMultiTracks.comRodrigo Urbina

Customer experience

Playback

All ratings4,293 ratings
Positive94.9%
Neutral1.9%
Negative3.3%
Written reviews359 reviews
Positive66.0%
Neutral5.3%
Negative28.7%

StageWave

All ratings9 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral11.1%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews14 reviews
Positive35.7%
Neutral14.3%
Negative50.0%

Bugs and requests

Playback

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • 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

5 requests
  • 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

StageWave

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Playback

Subscriptions3
  • Pro1 Month trial$4.991 Month
  • Pro1 Month trial$8.991 Month
  • Premium$14.991 Month
None

StageWave

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Playback free?
Playback is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is StageWave free?
StageWave is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Playback or StageWave?
Playback and StageWave are both rated 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store, from 4.3K and 9 ratings respectively.
Do Playback or StageWave have ads?
Neither Playback nor StageWave shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Playback or StageWave?
Playback ships an update monthly, and StageWave monthly. Most recently, Playback was updated on September 29, 2026 and StageWave on August 17, 2026.

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