# MLB vs Ballplayer

The clearest difference is rating: MLB at 4.7 against Ballplayer's 4.0. MLB also leads on ratings volume (936K vs 58) and chart position (#4 vs unranked). Ballplayer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 16) and ads (none vs shown). On price and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. MLB sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Ballplayer asks for nothing beyond the download.

MLB holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MLB has 936K ratings behind it against 58, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 40% of MLB's written reviews are positive against 53% of Ballplayer's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

MLB ships an update every 2 weeks, Ballplayer weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | MLB | Ballplayer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (936K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mlb/id493619333/reviews)** | [4.0 (58 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ballplayer-scorekeeping/id1633749336/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **936K** | 58 |
| Positive reviews | 39.6% of reviews | **53.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#4** | — |
| Size | 512 MB | 51 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **15.1** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Watch, Vision Pro** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Major League Baseball Advanced Media](https://appshunter.io/developer/281969992) | [Baseball App LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1633749338) |

## What reviewers say

### MLB

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mlb/id493619333)

**Currently charting:** #4 Top Grossing · Sports, #8 Top Free · Sports, #125 Top Grossing (US App Store)

This app provides live baseball video and audio, offering personalized programming and on-demand content. Subscribers gain access to out-of-market games, MLB Network, and extensive minor league coverage. Enjoy real-time highlights and game updates directly on your device.

**Highlights:** Live game video and audio streaming, Real-time highlights and alerts, Customizable news feed, Player position and batted ball tracking, Minor League Baseball game streaming, MLB Film Room video library

**Features:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| MLB+ | $5.99 | per month |
| MLB+  with Trial | $5.99 | per month |
| MLB+ Monthly | $5.99 | per month |
| MLB.TV Monthly | $29.99 | per month |
| MLB.TV Monthly Trial | $29.99 | per month |
| MLB+ Annual | $59.99 | per year |
| 2021 MLB.TV for T-Mobile | Free | one-time |
| 2023 MLB.TV Yearly | Free | one-time |
| 2024 MLB.TV Yearly | Free | one-time |
| 2026 MLB.TV Seasonal | Free | one-time |
| MLB.TV for T-Mobile Customers | Free | one-time |
| 2025 MLB.TV Yearly | Free | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Comprehensive coverage of MLB
- 🌎 Great for international fans
- 📊 Detailed stats and information
- 🎧 Ability to listen to radio broadcasts

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes and bugs
- 📆 Confusing date/time display for international users
- 🔇 Audio issues and delays
- 🚫 Frustrating blackout restrictions
- 💰 Expensive subscription with too many ads

**Reported bugs**

- App freezes and crashes
- Incorrect game dates and times
- Audio playback issues and delays
- Unreliable video streaming

**Requested features**

- Option to hide scores for spoiler-free viewing
- Improved navigation and UI
- Resume watching functionality for archived games
- Better support for older devices and iOS versions


### Ballplayer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ballplayer-scorekeeping/id1633749336)

Track and share baseball and softball game statistics in real-time. This app allows players to record every hit, catch, walk, and stolen base, and share live stats with friends and family. Features in-app messaging and live activity feeds for a social game-day experience.

**Highlights:** Real-time stat tracking, Share stats with friends and family, In-app messaging, Live activity feeds, Comprehensive stat recording

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is MLB free?

MLB is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Ballplayer free?

Ballplayer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, MLB or Ballplayer?

MLB is rated higher. MLB averages 4.7 out of 5 from 936K ratings, while Ballplayer averages 4.0 from 58 ratings.

### Do MLB or Ballplayer have ads?

MLB shows ads; Ballplayer does not.

### Which is updated more often, MLB or Ballplayer?

MLB ships an update every 2 weeks, and Ballplayer weekly. Most recently, MLB was updated on September 25, 2026 and Ballplayer on September 24, 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.*