Comparison

Portyl vs Poly Speaker

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

Head to head
About

Portyl

Experience historical sites brought to life with advanced XR and 3D graphics. Walk through ancient cities and witness daily life, citizens, and even animals as they once were. Explore meticulously recreated environments with expert historical consultation.

Highlights
  • Advanced XR high-resolution 3D recreations
  • Fully animated creatures and characters
  • 18 languages supported
  • Full audio support with narration
  • Integrated map with navigation
  • On-site and off-site XR experiences
Features
Read full description

The Portyl app uses state of the art Extended Reality (XR) combined with incredible 3D graphics to recreate historical sites the way they looked thousands of years ago. The magic of Portyl is how precise it places the reconstructed sites over the top of the current ruins enabling tourists to walk around and experience history through their phone/tablet screen. In Rome, for instance, you not only see the reconstructions, but also the citizens, soldiers, war elephants, chariots – the daily life and spectacle that was ancient Rome. For historical accuracy, all portal venues are created under the consultation of prominent Roman Historians and Archeologists. PORTYL FEATURES: • Advanced XR high-resolution 3D recreations • Fully animated creatures and characters • 19 languages currently supported (more languages every month!) • Full Audio support including sound effects and spoken narration • Integrated Map with navigation HOW TO USE PORTYL: • Getting started with Portyl is easy! • After installing the app, tap any location thumbnail and choose a TOUR PASS. Some experiences, such as Largo Argentina, can even be explored for free when you’re off-site. • Before heading out, download the venues you want to explore from the TOURS page. We recommend using Wi-Fi whenever possible. • Use the map to find your way to a Portyl location. Not on-site? No problem - you can still explore the XR recreation from your home, office or hotel. • When you arrive at a supported venue, Portyl will let you know that a Live Experience is available. The location will appear as a large thumbnail on the Live Tours page. • Tap the thumbnail and follow the on-screen instructions. Simply point your device toward the site from wherever you are standing. Portyl’s KAIROS ENGINE will identify your location and the direction you’re facing, usually within just a few seconds. • If KAIROS needs another view, Portyl will simply ask you to point your device in a different direction. • Then you’re ready to STEP INTO THE PAST! MINIMUM HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS: Portyl is a geo-located real-time rendered 3d environment. It requires a lot of horsepower! In general the higher-end device you have, the better experience, certainly something less than 5 years old, and a higher-end model. RECOMMENDED: iPhone 11 or newer with at least 4GB RAM PERMISSIONS REQUIRED: • Location: Portyl requires access to your device's location to place you in the virtual world as well as for map navigation. • Microphone: Portyl needs to "hear" your questions for some AI features. • Camera: Portyl needs to "see" where you are in the real world to launch XR scenes and place you in the virtual world.- Data Services: Not a permission, but a requirement for use. WiFi or 5G PERMISSIONS REQUESTED: • Notifications: For instance, notifications when a user comes within 50 km of an available site or when a venue has finished downloading. Occasional app updates, etc. No spamming and incessant notifications. Photos and Videos: As we add features like the Portyl Selfie feature, screenshot sharing, etc.

About

Poly Speaker

Features
Read full description

Poly Speaker Listener connects you to your tour guide through a local Wi-Fi network—no internet or data plan required. Your guide will show you a QR code. Scan it, and you’ll instantly join the group audio. You can listen freely, or mute/unmute whenever you want. Simple. Clear. Reliable. Just install, scan, and enjoy your tour. Works only with the Poly Speaker Broadcast app used by your guide.

Screenshots

Portyl4 screens
Poly Speaker3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Poly Speaker at none against Portyl's 12. Portyl's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs fortnightly) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Portyl sells 12 one-off in-app purchases. Poly Speaker asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Portyl ships an update weekly, Poly Speaker fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 9, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Portyl versus Poly Speaker: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPortylPoly Speaker
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (11 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings11 — better—
Update frequencyWeekly — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size410 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHistouryPoly Speaker

In-app purchases

12 purchases

Portyl

One-time12
  • Rome Pass$6.00
  • Herculaneum Pass$6.00
  • Pompeii Pass$6.00
Show 9 more
  • Paestum Pass$6.00
  • Espresso Tour$6.00
  • Solo Tour$29.00
  • Rome Tour$29.00
  • Herculaneum Tour$29.00
  • Couples Tour$50.00
  • Family Tour$95.00
  • Super Tourist$149.99
  • Maximus Barbarus$179.99
None

Poly Speaker

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Portyl free?
Portyl is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Poly Speaker free?
Poly Speaker is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Portyl or Poly Speaker have ads?
Neither Portyl nor Poly Speaker shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Portyl or Poly Speaker?
Portyl ships an update weekly, and Poly Speaker fortnightly. Most recently, Portyl was updated on October 9, 2026 and Poly Speaker on October 9, 2026.

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