Comparison

PlainPlay vs Mars Player

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

Head to head
About

PlainPlay

This app is a versatile media player and file manager that supports numerous formats. It allows offline playback of downloaded courses with features like loop and variable speed, and offers robust file management with privacy options. It also includes web downloading and TV live streaming capabilities.

Highlights
  • Full-format media playback
  • Offline course viewing
  • Loop and variable speed playback
  • Multiple file import methods
  • File classification and sorting
  • Gesture lock and fingerprint/Face ID
  • Web content downloading
Features
Read full description

My file manager – supports almost all file formats. Online courses downloaded from the web or shared by teachers are easy to import. With full-format playback, you can watch them anytime, anywhere with no data usage — with loop playback, sequential playback, and variable-speed support. A convenient learning video player that makes your study easier. Import files to your phone in multiple ways (iTunes file sharing via cable, LAN Wi-Fi web transfer, and phone-to-phone transfer) for fast management of local files. Supports file classification, sorting, editing, searching, and quick browsing and playback. • Classification: Video, Audio, Photos, Documents • Sorting: Name, manual order, file size, modification date, creation date • Edit: Select all, delete, compress • Search: Search by file name • Privacy: Gesture lock, fingerprint & Face ID; file hiding and file encryption Video and audio support continuous playback and single-loop playback; audio supports background playback, skipping intros and outros. File management: Create folders and move or import files directly. Web download: Download and manage web content directly. TV live streaming: HD live streams of major TV channels. Markdown preview and editing supported. 【Auto-Renewable Membership】 1. Service name: Auto-renewing membership. 2. Price: $1.49/month, $6.99/year, $12.99 lifetime (one-time purchase). 3. Payment is charged to your iTunes account 24 hours before each renewal period ends, extending the membership for one month. 4. To cancel: open "Settings" → "iTunes Store & App Store" → tap "Apple ID" → "View Apple ID" → "Account Settings" → "Subscriptions", and cancel the PlainPlay membership subscription. If not cancelled at least 24 hours before the period ends, the subscription renews automatically. 5. Terms of Use: https://xiaodev.com.cn/terms.html 6. Privacy Policy: https://xiaodev.com.cn/privacy.html If you find bugs, infringements, unmet needs, or have other opinions or suggestions about the service, please contact us — we will do our best to improve these issues in the next version. Contact: xiaodeve@163.com .

About

Mars Player

This application serves as a straightforward local audio player. It enables users to create playlists, upload audio files from their computers, and organize them. The app focuses on essential playback features without unnecessary complexity.

Highlights
  • Create playlists
  • Upload audio files
  • Add files to playlists
  • Loop audio files
  • Simple interface
Features
Read full description

Mars Player is a simple and easy-to-use local audio player that allows you to: ● Create playlists ● Upload audio files from your computer to the Mars Player App ● Add uploaded audio files to various playlists ● Loop audio files within playlists Additionally, it doesn’t have any unnecessary, bloated features. Enjoy it now! Terms of Service — https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy — https://marstech.click/mars_player/privacy_policy.html

Screenshots

PlainPlay4 screens
Mars Player4 screens

Verdict

The call

PlainPlay and Mars Player both sit at 4.5 stars, but that hides the real split: 80% of PlainPlay's written reviews are positive against 0% of Mars Player's. PlainPlay also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 5 weeks) and ratings volume (31 vs 3). Mars Player's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On price, rating, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. PlainPlay sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month and Mars Player sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PlainPlay holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PlainPlay has 31 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of PlainPlay's written reviews are positive against 0% of Mars Player's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PlainPlay ships an update weekly, Mars Player every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
PlainPlay versus Mars Player: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPlainPlayMars Player
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (31 ratings) — better4.3 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings31 — better3
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size130 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer景元 肖Biss

Customer experience

PlainPlay

All ratings31 ratings
Positive87.1%
Neutral3.2%
Negative9.7%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative0.0%

Mars Player

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral33.3%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

4 purchases

PlainPlay

Subscriptions3
  • 月会员$1.491 Month
  • 季度会员$3.993 Months
  • Annual membership$6.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Membership$12.99
5 purchases

Mars Player

Subscriptions4
  • Ad-Free Experience (1 Month)$0.991 Month
  • Ad-Free Experience (3 Months)$1.993 Months
  • Ad-Free Experience (6 Months)$2.996 Months
Show 1 more
  • Ad-Free Experience (1 Year)$3.991 Year
One-time1
  • Ad-Free for Life$9.99

Questions

Is PlainPlay free?
PlainPlay is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Mars Player free?
Mars Player is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PlainPlay or Mars Player?
PlainPlay is rated higher. PlainPlay averages 4.5 out of 5 from 31 ratings, while Mars Player averages 4.3 from 3 ratings.
Do PlainPlay or Mars Player have ads?
PlainPlay shows ads; Mars Player does not.
Which is updated more often, PlainPlay or Mars Player?
PlainPlay ships an update weekly, and Mars Player every 5 weeks. Most recently, PlainPlay was updated on October 29, 2026 and Mars Player on October 21, 2026.

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