Files Player vs LaZ Viz Audio Visualizer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Files Player
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For years, I have been collecting countless audio and video files on my hard drives that I want to listen to and watch in between or on the go. No streaming, no subscription, no cloud, no cover art – and no annoying risk of Wi-Fi dropouts or mobile network playback glitches – just copy the files over and take them with you offline. But with “memory”: the app remembers which files I have already played (incl. position). And it works in standby mode and can be conveniently operated from Lock Screen, Apple Watch and AirPods. THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT FEATURES 1) Easy 2) Simple 3) Uncomplicated THE APP WILL BE USEFUL FOR 1) Tidying up 2) Sorting 3) Discovering A PLAYER LIKE A BIG MEMORY STICK For the price of a veeeery small memory stick. The app shares its Documents folder. So you can upload and delete files and folders directly via the Finder. TRANSFER AUDIO/VIDEO FILES 1) Connect your iPhone/iPad to your Mac. 2) Select it on the desktop or in the Finder sidebar. 3) In the “Files” tab, expand the “Files Player” app with >. 4) Drag & drop audio/video files into the app. 5) Delete files / folders with context menu. Can also be done in the app with the “Trash” button. 6) Refresh the list using the “Refresh” button or “Pull to refresh”. 7) HandOff active? Then alternatively copy files to the clipboard and transfer them to the device using the “Folder” button. 8) On a PC use iTunes. 9) Formats: mp3, m4a, aiff (audio), mp4, m4v, mov (video). The free app is limited to 5 files. If you support me in the development of the app by purchasing it, you can not only manage as many files as you like, but also choose your favorite color for icon & interface via button “Settings” button.
LaZ Viz Audio Visualizer
Transform your iPhone into a dynamic audio visualizer that reacts to your music. Enjoy a variety of retro-inspired displays, from spectrum bars to analog meters, all driven by your device's microphone. No subscriptions or data tracking, just pure audio-visual enjoyment.
- Microphone-driven sound visualizer
- Seven live display options
- Customizable colors and sensitivity
- Retro stereo and car audio themes
- Portrait and landscape modes
- Keep screen awake option
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Make the music visible, and turn your iPhone or iPad into the retro audio display your stereo deserves. LaZ Visual Audio Equalizer is now LaZ Viz Audio Visualizer. The name has changed; the free v2.0 upgrade brings more ways to see your music. LaZ Viz listens through your device's microphone and turns the sound around you into dancing spectrum lights, moving needles, glowing waves and whole worlds that come alive with the music. Version 2.0 brings rebuilt audio analysis, refreshed VU and McVU meters, native iPad layouts and layouts designed for iPhone Duo from day one. Made for Duo: Open, fold and rotate with layouts that follow the space available. VU meters can occupy separate fold regions. Phosphor keeps its round scope and controls within reach. Partially fold Duo in Jeep Beach for a dedicated JUMP panel alongside the scene. Meet the new screens: • Dairy Freefall: six evolving looks, including Light Tunnel, electric arcs, neon ropes, kaleidoscope, double helix and a pulsing logo vortex. Import your own logo from Photos or Files, choose its color mode and adjust transparency. • Aftershock: a neon spectrum landscape beneath a synthwave sunset. • Oceanic: rolling water, reflected light and interactive splashes. • Jeep Beach: a pixel-art beach ride that bounces along with the music, framed by a nostalgic bedroom TV. Tune in, hit the beach and add a little extra jump. • Block Monster: glossy stacks, falling peak caps and a city loft setting. • Phosphor on iPad and iPhone Duo: a green-glowing oscilloscope with adjustable intensity, focus, gain and timebase. • 2002: a second interactive car stereo, with four live displays, dolphin and racing animations, a folding faceplate, an ejectable CD and haptics on supported devices. The originals are still here: Classic Viz, Blue Da Ba Dee, Custom Viz, VU, McVU, Vox and the interactive 1995 stereo with eight presets, working controls, a moving CD, haptics on supported devices and hidden surprises. CHONK-O-VIZ turns the classic spectrum grids into oversized blocks. Custom Viz lets you choose the bottom, middle, top and falling peak colors. The 1995 screen keeps its original LaZ EQ branding as a tribute to the fallen. Make it feel right: In portrait, open Settings to adjust Sensitivity, VU Drama, Jiggle and your colors. Try experimental Jeep Mode to tame wind, road noise, fans and other low rumble. Swipe between screens, use the portrait picker to jump to a favorite, and tap to embiggen. Keep the screen awake for long listening sessions. Made for the music around you: Put it beside a turntable, stream to a nearby AirPlay or Bluetooth speaker, or bring it to concerts, festivals, parties, DJ sets, garages and car meets. Microphone access is required for live sound response. LaZ Viz visualizes audio rather than changing it. It cannot read protected audio inside other apps, and it does not work with CarPlay or music played through your device's own speakers. It is an entertainment app, not a professional analyzer or calibration tool. Your microphone audio stays on your device. It is processed live, never recorded, saved or uploaded. The orange microphone dot is expected while the meters are active; capture stops when the app closes or enters the background. Optional major-update reminders are local and can be turned off anytime. Delivery depends on iOS background availability. Already own version 1? Version 2.0 is a free upgrade. No subscription. No signup. No tracking. Just music you can see.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Files Player at Free against LaZ Viz Audio Visualizer's $4.99. Files Player also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 2 weeks) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). LaZ Viz Audio Visualizer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and chart position (#139 vs unranked). On 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
Files Player is free to download; LaZ Viz Audio Visualizer costs $4.99 up front. Files Player sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. LaZ Viz Audio Visualizer asks for nothing beyond the download.
Files Player ships an update weekly, LaZ Viz Audio Visualizer every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Files Player | LaZ Viz Audio Visualizer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $4.99 |
| Rating | — | 5.0 (9 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 9 — better |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Every 2 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Best chart rank | — | #139 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 95 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Ivo Wessel | Merit Advertising Corporation |
In-app purchases
Files Player
- Unlimited$6.99
LaZ Viz Audio Visualizer
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Files Player free?
Is LaZ Viz Audio Visualizer free?
Do Files Player or LaZ Viz Audio Visualizer have ads?
Which is updated more often, Files Player or LaZ Viz Audio Visualizer?
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