Comparison

DarkBlock vs Aether

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

Head to head
About

DarkBlock

Enhance your browsing experience by permanently hiding unwanted websites from search results and enabling a dark mode in Safari. This utility app offers a cleaner, more focused way to navigate the web.

Highlights
  • Permanently hide websites from search results
  • Enable dark mode in Safari
  • Customizable browsing experience
  • Clean search results
Features
Read full description

1. Permanently hide websites that you don't want in Google Search. 2. Enable Dark Mode in Safari. This app incorporates code from the DarkReader project (https://github.com/darkreader/darkreader), which is MIT Licensed. The license is included below: https://github.com/darkreader/darkreader/blob/main/LICENSE

About

Aether

Features
Read full description

Aether: Versatile Media Player Aether is a versatile media player designed for local content, combining video playback, subtitle support, and visual novel functionality in one app. Simply import your media files, and Aether will automatically identify supported content. No complicated conversion or setup is required, so you can focus on watching videos, displaying subtitles, and enjoying your favorite visual novels. Extensive Media Format Support Built with FFmpeg 8.1.2, Aether supports a wide range of commonly used video, audio, and subtitle formats. Supported video codecs include: H.264, H.265/HEVC, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, VP8, VP9, AV1, Theora, WMV/VC-1, MJPEG, ProRes, and more. Supported audio codecs include: AAC, MP2, MP3, AC-3, E-AC-3, FLAC, Vorbis, Opus, WMA, PCM, and more. Supported subtitle formats include: • External subtitles: SRT, VTT, ASS, and SSA • Embedded subtitles: ASS/SSA, SubRip, WebVTT, MOV Text, and other text-based formats After a video is imported, Aether automatically detects available audio and subtitle tracks, allowing you to select the track you prefer. Flexible Playback Controls Adjust playback to match your viewing preferences: • Change the playback speed • Drag the progress bar to jump to a specific position • Quickly seek forward or backward • Pause and resume playback at any time Whether you are quickly reviewing content, replaying a favorite moment, or locating a particular scene, Aether makes navigation simple. Verified Playback Configurations The following configurations have been tested: • MP4 with H.264 video and AAC audio at 1920 × 1080 • MKV with 10-bit H.265 video and AAC audio at 1920 × 1080, including embedded ASS subtitles • MPEG-1 video with MP2 audio used within visual novel content Additional formats and codec combinations may also work. Compatibility may vary depending on the container format, encoding parameters, and device performance. Easily Import Visual Novels Aether includes a visual novel runtime compatible with XP3 content. Import visual novel content that you legally own and launch it directly from your library with a single tap. There is no need to repeatedly locate files or perform complicated manual configuration, allowing you to focus on the story and gameplay. Manage Local Content in One Place View and manage imported videos and visual novels from a single library. Open a title’s details and quickly continue watching or playing. Aether does not include or provide any third-party movies, games, or visual novel content. Users must import their own content and ensure that they have the legal right to use it. Compatibility Notice Some visual novels may use custom plug-ins, encryption methods, or specialized scripts. Therefore, compatibility with every XP3 title cannot be guaranteed. Video playback may also vary depending on encoding settings, device model, and operating system version.

Screenshots

DarkBlock2 screens
Aether4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Aether at Free against DarkBlock's $4.99. Aether also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 6 weeks). DarkBlock's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). On ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

Aether is free to download; DarkBlock costs $4.99 up front. Aether sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. DarkBlock asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DarkBlock ships an update every 6 weeks, Aether weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
DarkBlock versus Aether: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDarkBlockAether
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating4.3 (3 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews83.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB221 MB
Age rating4+12+
Developer金超 高煜 刘

In-app purchases

None

DarkBlock

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Aether

One-time2
  • Buy the author a coffee$0.99
  • Unlock Directory Restrictions$7.99

Questions

Is DarkBlock free?
DarkBlock costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Aether free?
Aether is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do DarkBlock or Aether have ads?
Neither DarkBlock nor Aether shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DarkBlock or Aether?
DarkBlock ships an update every 6 weeks, and Aether weekly. Most recently, DarkBlock was updated on October 9, 2026 and Aether on October 1, 2026.

Other comparisons