# Longplayer vs Surface Builder

The clearest difference is price: Longplayer at $3.99 against Surface Builder's $14.99. Surface Builder's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 136 months) and iOS requirement (13 vs 15.6). On rating, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Longplayer costs $3.99 and Surface Builder $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Longplayer against 4.7 for Surface Builder. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 11 and 15 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 83% of Longplayer's written reviews are positive against 80% of Surface Builder's.

Longplayer ships an update every 136 months, Surface Builder every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Longplayer | Surface Builder |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$3.99** | $14.99 |
| Rating | [4.6 (11 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/longplayer/id959561382/reviews) | **[4.7 (15 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/surface-builder/id6449735778/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 11 | **15** |
| Positive reviews | **83.3% of reviews** | 80.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 136 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 102 MB | 32 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **13** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [The Longplayer Trust](https://appshunter.io/developer/959561381) | [4Pockets.com](https://appshunter.io/developer/370131860) |

## What reviewers say

### Longplayer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/longplayer/id959561382)

Experience a unique, ever-evolving musical composition designed to last 1000 years. This app provides real-time, high-quality playback without needing a data connection, allowing you to listen in the background while using other applications. It offers a real-time score display and detailed information about the composition's history and conceptual background.

**Highlights:** Real-time high-quality playback, Offline playback, Plays in the background, Real-time score display, Detailed information section, Up-to-date news

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Surface Builder

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/surface-builder/id6449735778)

Create custom MIDI control surfaces for audio applications. Design interfaces with buttons, knobs, and faders to send and receive MIDI data, control audio clips, and customize appearance. Supports AUv3 plugins and standalone use.

**Highlights:** Customizable MIDI control surfaces, AUv3 plugin and standalone modes, Send/receive MIDI data (notes, controllers, pitch bend), Audio clip playback control, Multi-scene interface design, Drag and drop interface customization

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Longplayer free?

Longplayer costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Surface Builder free?

Surface Builder costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Longplayer or Surface Builder?

Surface Builder is rated higher. Longplayer averages 4.6 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while Surface Builder averages 4.7 from 15 ratings.

### Do Longplayer or Surface Builder have ads?

Neither Longplayer nor Surface Builder shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Longplayer or Surface Builder?

Longplayer ships an update every 136 months, and Surface Builder every 3 weeks. Most recently, Longplayer was updated on October 24, 2026 and Surface Builder 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.*