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REWIND vs VOX: a streaming-ready player or a retro one?

By · Updated · 2 min read

VOX is a lossless music player for iPhone, iPad and Mac that adds Qobuz, SoundCloud, online radio and a paid cloud. REWIND plays only files you own, offline, on 30 retro machines. Pick VOX for sources and sync, REWIND for a simple, tactile player with a one-time price option.

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8 machines free forever · no account · works offline

REWIND vs VOX: a streaming-ready player or a retro one?

What is the main difference?

VOX combines several sources in one player. Its App Store listing names FLAC, APE, WAV, ALAC, MP3, WMA and OGG files, Qobuz and SoundCloud streaming, 30,000+ radio stations, Last.fm scrobbling, and a VOX Music Cloud for Premium subscribers that syncs across devices. REWIND has none of that. It plays imported files offline and shows them on retro hardware.

Competitor facts on this page were checked on October 10, 2026 against the App Store listing and the developer's own site. Apps change, so verify before you buy.

REWIND vs VOX at a glance

REWINDVOX
PositioningRetro machines for your own filesLossless player with streaming, radio and cloud
SourcesFiles app importLocal files, iTunes library, Qobuz, SoundCloud, radio, VOX Music Cloud
File typesMP3, AAC/M4A, ALAC, WAV, AIFF, FLAC, CAFFLAC, APE, WAV, ALAC, MP3, WMA, OGG and more, per its listing
Equalizer5-band, five presetsParametric equalizer with 30 presets; its site describes a live spectrum analyzer
Other audio toolsAnalog sound, machine sound, lo-fi radio, slowed + reverb, sped up, 8D audio (PRO)Crossfade, gapless, time stretch, tempo adjustment, bass booster, BS2B
Interface30 animated retro machinesNo retro machines listed
Car and speakersLock screen and headphone controlsCarPlay, AirPlay and Sonos
DevicesiPhone onlyiPhone, iPad and Mac; Windows beta on its site
Pricing on iPhoneFree download; PRO $2.99 weekly, $19.99 yearly, $24.99 lifetimeFree download; Premium subscriptions listed at $4.99 per month and $49.99 per year (US App Store, October 2026)
US App Store ratingNew app, launching 2026About 4.2 stars from roughly 3,150 ratings (October 2026)

What does VOX do better?

VOX is the broader platform. It streams from Qobuz and SoundCloud, plays internet radio, scrobbles to Last.fm, supports CarPlay and Sonos, and syncs a library between iPhone, iPad and Mac through its cloud. It reads APE and WMA files that REWIND does not support.

Its parametric equalizer is also more flexible than REWIND's five fixed bands. VOX's site describes moving frequency and gain by hand and adjusting bandwidth, with a live spectrum behind it.

What does REWIND do better?

REWIND costs less to own outright. A lifetime PRO purchase is $24.99, while VOX's listing shows Premium subscriptions at $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year (US App Store, October 2026). The free side is generous too: 8 machines, 7 backgrounds, analog sound and the equalizer, and one mixtape.

It also needs no account and no network, and collects no data. The look is the other difference: 30 machines from 1968–2005, mixtapes with handwritten labels and music-reactive backgrounds.

Who should pick which?

  • Choose VOX if you stream Qobuz or SoundCloud, listen to radio, or want a synced library across Apple devices.
  • Choose VOX if you rely on Sonos or Last.fm.
  • Choose REWIND if you only play files you own and want them on cassettes, CDs and turntables.
  • Choose REWIND if you prefer a one-time purchase to a subscription.

Sources, checked October 10, 2026: VOX on the App Store, VOX for iPhone.

Frequently asked questions

Does REWIND stream like VOX?

No. REWIND plays only audio files stored on your iPhone. VOX lists Qobuz, SoundCloud and radio streaming.

Is REWIND cheaper than VOX?

For ownership, yes: REWIND PRO is $24.99 once, and VOX's listing shows Premium at $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year (October 2026). Both are free to download, and VOX's Music Cloud needs Premium, so compare what you actually use.

Does REWIND work on Mac like VOX?

No. REWIND is iPhone only.

Which has more file formats?

VOX lists more, including APE and WMA. REWIND supports MP3, AAC/M4A, ALAC, WAV, AIFF, FLAC and CAF.

Keep exploring

Put your music on a real machine

  • 8 machines and 7 backgrounds free forever
  • Your own files, offline, no account, no ads
  • PRO from $2.99/week, $19.99/year with 3 days free, or $24.99 once

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