# HM Explorer vs Coax

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: HM Explorer at none against Coax's 3. HM Explorer also leads on iOS requirement (13 vs 18.6). Coax's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 8 days vs every 3 weeks). On price there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Coax sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. HM Explorer asks for nothing beyond the download.

HM Explorer ships an update every 3 weeks, Coax every 8 days. Both last shipped on November 8, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | HM Explorer | Coax |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[4.2 (40 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/coax-surf-your-plex-server/id6752622762/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **40** |
| Positive reviews | — | 76.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 8 days** |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Size | 60 MB | 61 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13** | 18.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Vision Pro** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [r-projects UG (haftungsbeschränkt)](https://appshunter.io/developer/1800211938) | [Out to Lunch Productions, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/367527515) |

## What reviewers say

### HM Explorer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hm-explorer/id6742833862)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Coax

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/coax-surf-your-plex-server/id6752622762)

Experience your Plex media library like a traditional cable TV experience. This app automatically generates channels from your existing content, allowing you to randomly discover movies and shows without the pressure of choosing.

**Highlights:** On-device Plex library channel surfing, Zero-setup integration, Automatic channel guide generation, Customizable channel categories (genre, decade, actor, etc.), Create channels from Plex Collections, Unify TV and movie libraries, Adjustable number of channels

**Features:** Family Sharing, SharePlay, iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly - 1st Week Free | $2.99 | per month |
| Annual - 1st Week Free | $29.99 | per year |
| Lifetime | $74.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is HM Explorer free?

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

### Is Coax free?

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

### Do HM Explorer or Coax have ads?

HM Explorer shows ads; Coax does not.

### Which is updated more often, HM Explorer or Coax?

HM Explorer ships an update every 3 weeks, and Coax every 8 days. Most recently, HM Explorer was updated on November 8, 2026 and Coax on November 8, 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.*