Step In Time vs Beam Music
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Step In Time
This music player allows users to adjust song tempo and jump to specific sections for practice. It supports importing music, wireless controls, and background playback. Advanced features and unlimited library access are available via in-app purchases.
- Adjust tempo on-the-fly
- Set 6 configurable speed presets
- Drop and manage pins for song sections
- Import songs from iPod library and other apps
- Wireless control via media remotes and Bluetooth keyboards
- Background playback and lock screen disable
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Your time is precious, especially during rehearsals where every minute counts. You need to work on your routine and not worry about the equipment. Step In Time is the music player that was designed with this in mind from the ground up. Easily change the tempo or jump to specific parts of the music. -=[ Features ]=- Easy Speed Control + Change the speed on-the-fly as music is playing + Quickly set the speed to 6 configurable preset values + Use the dial to fine tune the exact speed you're looking for Pins + No more wasting time searching for the right phrase of music + Easily drop a pin by tapping on the scrubber + Just as easily, you can slide a pin up to remove it Easily Import Songs + Quick and simple import of songs from your iPod library + Import mp3 or m4a music from other apps or even mail attachments Wireless Controls + Media remotes and presentation remotes can be used to wireless pause/play the music. + Bluetooth keyboards can also control the speed remotely Additional Conveniences + This app has been Superpowered + Plays music in the background + Automatically disables lock screen while music is playing + Convenient volume and AirPlay controls to wirelessly send the music to an Apple TV or Bluetooth device The free version is fully useable for any length of song, but limits you to one song in your library at a time. More songs and advanced features are available through In-App Purchases. Additional features available with In-App Purchase include: - Export songs to M4A with arbitrary speed - Quickly disable the lock screen - Easily force the screen to stay up-side-down or right-side-up - Any purchase will disable all advertising - An even more convenient way to add or edit pins - Choose from 5 different pin colors Notes: - This app only supports DRM-free music. Some older music (ie. music you purchased before ~2009) may not work. - Upside-down operation is not availble on iPhone X (this is an Apple restriction) Requires iOS 17.2 and above Please let me know how well Step In Time works for you by emailing: danny@sungheroes.com
Beam Music
Easily import, organize, and annotate music files for ensembles. Share access and collaborate with section leaders. Live Mode synchronizes music across all devices instantly without internet.
- Import PDFs from cloud storage and local files
- Edit and crop music pages
- Annotate with pencil, highlighter, and text tools
- Collaborative notes for section leaders
- Real-time music synchronization via Live Mode
- Organize music into collections and set lists
- Backup music library
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IMPORT AND ASSIGN FILES WITH EASE - Import PDFs from Dropbox, Google Drive, and Local Storage - Assign full files or single pages - Crop, cut, and edit parts - Give edit access to student leaders ANNOTATE YOUR MUSIC - Pencil tool: Draw on the music - Highlighter: Mark key areas - Text tool: Add important notes - Shared notes: Section leaders can add notes for the entire section STAY IN SYNC WITH LIVE MODE Activate Live Mode to automatically connect everyone in the ensemble to your device. When you select a piece of music, everyone’s individual parts for that song are instantly displayed on their personal device. All without the need for internet. ORGANIZE YOUR LIBRARY - Create a collection of songs - Add songs to a set list in a specific order - Add the duration of the song - Back up your library with Beam Backup
Screenshots
Verdict
Step In Time and Beam Music both sit at 4.3 stars, but that hides the real split: 72% of Step In Time's written reviews are positive against 36% of Beam Music's. Beam Music's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, rating, ads and device support 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
Both are free to download. Step In Time sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Beam Music asks for nothing beyond the download.
Beam Music holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Beam Music has 306 ratings behind it against 20, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 72% of Step In Time's written reviews are positive against 36% of Beam Music's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Step In Time ships an update every 2 months, Beam Music every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 29, 2026.
| Parameter | Step In Time | Beam Music |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.3 (20 ratings) | 4.4 (306 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 72.2% of reviews — better | 36.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 20 | 306 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.2 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 13 MB | 159 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Danny Sung | Ultimate Drill Book |
Customer experience
Step In Time
Beam Music
Bugs and requests
Step In Time
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Beam Music
Reported bugs
14 issues- App crashes constantly, especially when needed
- Lag makes page turning and note-taking difficult
- Annotations disappear after using live mode
- Zoom level resets when orientation changes
- Portrait mode activates unexpectedly
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- Notes from other songs appear randomly
- Search feature fails to work reliably
- Music fails to load when switching between pieces
- Auto-download feature doesn't work
- App becomes unresponsive with frozen screen
- Battery drains excessively fast
- Phone overheats during rehearsal
- Annotations won't save, erase, or stick properly
- Screenshot returns white page instead of music
Requested features
12 requests- Horizontal page lock (like FlipFolder)
- Ability to save zoom level with vertical scrolling
- Live session annotation capability
- Auto-select correct part for user
- Mass select parts instead of individual selection
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- Highlighter tool for dynamics
- White pen/eraser for marking corrections
- Screenshot capability for backup
- Access to music files in Files app
- Rotation lock that maintains landscape orientation
- Better customization options
- Improved search functionality
In-app purchases
Step In Time
- 3 Song Slots$0.99
- Dancer's Bundle$3.99
- Choreographer's Bundle$9.99
Beam Music
No in-app purchases








