Comparison

VR42 Player vs Mobile VR Station® (Ported)

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

Head to head
About

VR42 Player

Features
Read full description

VR42 Player is a straightforward and easy to use video player for stereoscopic, 360 VR videos stored on your device. Simply pick a video file from your device gallery, wait for it to be copied to the application library (this step is necessary for the video to be read by the app), or securely download VR videos as an authenticated user. You can then select the video to play from the library and enjoy your VR experience. You can also transfer video files from iTunes to the VR42Player Documents folder, and play your videos straight away. VR42 Player can conveniently replay the last video you selected as well. While the video is playing you can tap the screen to pause and resume the video. Long press on the screen to return to the main menu. By default, VR42 Player will play videos as a stereoscopic top / bottom video. You can add "_SBS" at the end of the file name (e.g. "yourvideo.mp4 will become "yourvideo_SBS.mp4") to play the video as a stereoscopic side-by-side instead.

About

Mobile VR Station® (Ported)

Experience immersive entertainment with a VR media player adapted for Cardboard. View 2D, 3D, 360, and 180 content in virtual environments, access your own media, and explore custom tours. Unlock full features with an in-app purchase.

Highlights
  • Plays 2D, 3D, 360, and 180 VR content
  • Access personal photos and videos
  • Stream content via DLNA/UPNP, FTP, Google Drive
  • Customizable virtual environments
  • Create custom tours with Open Source App
  • Basic file management
Features
Read full description

Welcome to the Ported Edition of Mobile VR Station, specially adapted for Cardboard! Originally designed for Standalone VR headsets, this version boasts a complete overhaul from the original iOS release. Discover a world of immersive entertainment as you play 2D, 3D, 360, and 180 content within a captivating virtual environment. While this version may not offer the same flexibility as the original, it remains highly customizable with profile and preset configurations. Dive into unique and personalized virtual reality experiences by accessing custom tours created with our Open Source App. Unleash your creativity or indulge in journeys crafted by others, enhancing your VR adventure beyond imagination. Our app is free to use, but for uninterrupted content enjoyment beyond the 5-minute mark or the ability to save your work using the built-in VR text editor, a convenient in-app purchase is available. Elevate your VR journey with Mobile VR Station (Ported) Edition for Cardboard! What comes with the app: 1. Over 30 backgrounds and three virtual environments. 2. Access your own photos and videos for viewing in VR. 3. Access external content via DLNA/UPNP, FTP and Google Drive. 4. Basic file management to move around content. 5. 10 sample images are provided.

Screenshots

VR42 Player4 screens
Mobile VR Station® (Ported)4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: VR42 Player at none against Mobile VR Station® (Ported)'s 1. VR42 Player also leads on iOS requirement (6.0 vs 16.0). On price, update cadence, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Mobile VR Station® (Ported) sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. VR42 Player asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

VR42 Player ships an update monthly, Mobile VR Station® (Ported) every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
VR42 Player versus Mobile VR Station® (Ported): the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVR42 PlayerMobile VR Station® (Ported)
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.2 (50 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—20.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—50 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS6.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size73 MB329 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperRandom42Michael Fuller

In-app purchases

None

VR42 Player

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Mobile VR Station® (Ported)

One-time1
  • Premium Edition$5.99

Questions

Is VR42 Player free?
VR42 Player is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Mobile VR Station® (Ported) free?
Mobile VR Station® (Ported) is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do VR42 Player or Mobile VR Station® (Ported) have ads?
Neither VR42 Player nor Mobile VR Station® (Ported) shows ads.
Which is updated more often, VR42 Player or Mobile VR Station® (Ported)?
VR42 Player ships an update monthly, and Mobile VR Station® (Ported) every 2 weeks. Most recently, VR42 Player was updated on November 2, 2026 and Mobile VR Station® (Ported) on November 4, 2026.

Other comparisons