ARI Player vs Cathode Player
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ARI Player
This app automatically generates and translates subtitles for any video you play. It uses on-device speech recognition and translation, supporting 20 languages without an internet connection. Customize subtitle appearance and position for a better viewing experience.
- Automatic subtitle generation
- Real-time speech recognition
- Instant translation in 20 languages
- On-device processing for privacy
- Offline subtitle functionality
- Adjustable subtitle position and size
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Watch videos on your device with automatically generated, translated subtitles. ARI Player turns speech in local video files into captions as you watch. Follow foreign-language videos, lectures, and interviews with the original text and translation together. ◆ Automatic subtitles as you watch Open a video and choose its source and translation languages. ARI Player recognizes speech and displays subtitles in the player. The original text appears while its translation is being prepared. ◆ Choose from 20 language options Choose your source and translation languages from 20 options, including English, Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, Korean, and French. - Change the source and translation languages for each video - High-quality translation is prioritized on supported devices - Show original and translated subtitles together ◆ Subtitles that fit your screen Adjust subtitle size and position for comfortable viewing without covering important parts of the video. ◆ Save subtitles and resume translation Enable subtitle caching to save translation progress automatically. Reopen the same video to see saved subtitles immediately and continue translating the unfinished sections. ◆ Export subtitles as SRT Export fully translated subtitles as standard SRT (.srt) files and use them in other video players or editing apps. SRT export requires a yearly subscription or an existing lifetime purchase. ◆ Export video with subtitles Once subtitle creation and translation are complete, select a section to save and share as an MP4 with subtitles. Adjust their size and position before exporting. The subtitles stay visible in the saved video, so no separate subtitle file is needed. ◆ Supported devices and video formats - iPhone, iPad, Mac - Play MP4, MOV, and other video files supported by your device Playback support depends on your device and the video’s codecs and encoding. Understand foreign-language videos, lectures, and interviews more easily with ARI Player. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Cathode Player
A native video viewer for following channels and watching content across your Apple devices. Enjoy a fast, lightweight experience with features like picture-in-picture, background audio, and cross-device sync via iCloud. Discover new content with curated channel suggestions.
- Follow channels and view latest videos
- Search for videos and channels
- Native player with picture-in-picture and background audio
- Save videos to Watch Later
- Cross-device playback progress sync
- Curated channel suggestions
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Cathode is a clean, native video viewer for following channels and watching content on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Built with SwiftUI for a fast, lightweight experience. FEATURES • Follow channels and see all their latest videos in one feed • Search for videos and channels • Watch shorts and regular videos with a native player • Picture-in-picture, background audio, and AirPlay support • Save videos to Watch Later • Pick up where you left off — playback progress syncs across your devices via your private iCloud account • Read comments • Compact mini-player while you keep browsing • Curated channel suggestions across Tech, Science, Programming, Cooking, and Lifestyle to help you get started CROSS-DEVICE SYNC Watch Later, history, and saved channels are stored in your private iCloud account so they are always with you. Nothing is sent to our servers. PRIVACY Cathode does not collect personal information, has no analytics, and does not require an account. Your data stays on your device or in your private iCloud.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Cathode Player at none against ARI Player's 3. On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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
Both are free to download. ARI Player sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Cathode Player asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.2 for ARI Player against 4.2 for Cathode Player. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6 and 5 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 60% of ARI Player's written reviews are positive against 67% of Cathode Player's.
ARI Player ships an update weekly, Cathode Player every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | ARI Player | Cathode Player |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.2 (6 ratings) | 4.2 (5 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 60.0% of reviews | 66.7% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 6 — better | 5 |
| Update frequency | Weekly | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV — better |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 — better | 26.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 14 MB | 8 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Goateraction | Zabir Raihan |
Customer experience
ARI Player
Cathode Player
In-app purchases
ARI Player
- Monthly$3.991 Month
- Yearly$7.991 Year
- Lifetime$29.99
Cathode Player
No in-app purchases









