Comparison

Bref Player vs Vonode

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

Head to head
About

Bref Player

Consolidate your video, music, and book collections across various devices. Access local files, cloud storage, and media servers to enjoy your owned media with extensive format support and advanced playback features.

Highlights
  • Unified media library
  • Support for numerous video and audio formats
  • Connect to local files, NAS, cloud drives, and media servers
  • Offline downloads for viewing
  • Advanced subtitle support
  • Casting and IPTV playlist support
  • Organized library with artwork and playback progress
Features
Read full description

Your media, ready for every screen. Bref brings video, music and books together on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV. Connect your local files, NAS, cloud drives and media servers, and enjoy the collection you already own. VIDEO FORMATS Play MKV, MP4, MOV, M4V, AVI, WMV, ASF, FLV, WebM, RM / RMVB, MPEG / MPG, TS, MTS / M2TS, VOB, MXF, OGM / OGV, 3GP / 3G2, DVR-MS and WTV. Supported codecs include H.264 / AVC, H.265 / HEVC, AV1, VP9, VC-1 and MPEG. Open main features from BDMV and VIDEO_TS folders or ISO / IMG disc images, and resolve STRM / STRMLNK media links. PICTURE QUALITY Enjoy 4K video and HDR10, HLG or Dolby Vision playback on compatible devices, with hardware and software decoding paths. Compatible Apple TV setups can request a display mode that matches the content frame rate. DOLBY AUDIO AND MULTICHANNEL SOUND Play Dolby Digital (AC-3) and Dolby Digital Plus (E-AC-3) audio, and decode TrueHD and DTS / DTS-HD tracks. Switch audio tracks, use multichannel PCM output or stereo downmix, and enjoy 5.1 or 7.1 content with compatible output devices. AC-3 / E-AC-3 can also use the system compressed-audio output path, subject to the device, operating system and audio connection. YOUR SOURCES Access local files, SMB, NFS, WebDAV, FTP, FTPES, FTPS, SFTP and UPnP / DLNA. Connect Jellyfin, Emby, Plex, Feiniu Video, Baidu Netdisk, Dropbox, Google Drive and OneDrive on supported platforms. CASTING AND IPTV Cast video or music to Apple TV via UPnP / DLNA. Add M3U / M3U8 playlist URLs. MUSIC FORMATS Play MP3, AAC, M4A, FLAC, ALAC, APE, WAV, OGG, Opus and WMA, plus AC-3, E-AC-3, DTS / DTS-HD and MLP / TrueHD audio. Browse artwork and song information, follow available synchronized lyrics, and use playlists, shuffle and repeat playback. On iPhone and iPad, listen in the background and control music from the Lock Screen or Control Center. SUBTITLES AND BILINGUAL VIEWING Read SRT, ASS / SSA, WebVTT, TTML / DFXP, SAMI / SMI, MicroDVD and MPL2 text subtitles, plus PGS / SUP and VobSub (IDX / SUB) image subtitles. Choose embedded tracks, discover nearby files or import and associate subtitles manually. Adjust subtitle timing and display two subtitles together with compatible text-track combinations. AN ORGANIZED LIBRARY Match videos with artwork, descriptions and episode information. Manage favorites and watched status, save playback progress and return to recently played items. Create custom video collections across sources without moving the original files. OFFLINE DOWNLOADS Download supported videos for offline viewing. Pause and resume range-based downloads when the source is accessible. Add compatible HTTP / HTTPS video download links on iPhone, iPad and Mac. PREVIEWS AND CHAPTERS Preview the timeline and navigate supported disc titles and chapters. CACHE CONTROLS Use read-ahead and disk caching for network video. Adjust preload capacity, view cache usage and clear video or artwork caches. CROSS-DEVICE ACCESS AND ICLOUD Restore eligible purchases with the same Apple Account on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV. Sync supported source settings, playback progress and recently played records through iCloud. Enjoy controls adapted to touch, keyboard, pointer and the Siri Remote. BOOKS, TOO Connect an OPDS source to read EPUB and PDF books on supported platforms. APPLE TV: SWIPE TO SEEK Slide left or right on the Siri Remote touch surface to scrub continuously, with time and frame previews. Release to seek while preserving the prior playing or paused state. PLEASE NOTE Bref does not supply movies, third-party service memberships or decryption of protected content. Add media you own or are authorized to access. Available features and purchase options are shown in the app. Source, format and output support depend on the platform, operating system, media file and equipment. Network playback and sync require suitable services and connectivity. Privacy Policy: https://www.bref.cn/privacy/ Support: https://www.bref.cn/support/

About

Vonode

Manage your personal phone numbers and SIM cards from a self-hosted server. Send texts, make calls, and manage eSIM profiles with a unified inbox and detailed line health checks.

Highlights
  • Unified inbox for all numbers
  • Send and receive texts
  • Make and answer calls
  • Manage eSIM profiles
  • Check line health
  • Sender rules and filtering
Read full description

Vonode turns the Vonode node you run on your own server into a phone app for your numbers. Read and send texts, make and answer calls over cellular or Wi-Fi Calling, manage eSIM profiles and check line health for the SIM and eSIM lines in your own modems. WHAT YOU NEED Vonode is a companion app. It requires a Vonode node that you install and run yourself (Linux, with systemd or Docker), a compatible cellular modem, and your own SIM or eSIM with service from your carrier. Vonode does not provide hosting, mobile service, SIM plans, hardware or carrier access; these are the user's responsibility. MESSAGES • One inbox for every number on your node • Sender rules move unwanted texts to Filtered and show why • Verification codes stay in your inbox even when a sender rule matches (node software v1.4.2 or later) • Optional notifications with encrypted message previews CALLS • Phone-style keypad with contact suggestions, Recents and quick call back • Calls over cellular, or over Wi-Fi Calling where your carrier and modem support it • Always-allow and always-block lists, and a Blocked list that shows why NUMBERS AND eSIM • Signal, network, data and readiness for every line at a glance • Switch, enable, disable and remove eSIM profiles on supported eUICC cards in your modem • Keep-alive estimates for prepaid numbers, with reminders before the date • A line check that explains SIM, network, data, SMS and calling status in plain language ALSO • Wi-Fi Calling connection steps and network-path guidance (node software v1.4.2 or later) • Your own plan, balance and renewal notes in Card ledger (node software v1.4.3 or later) • Several nodes, USSD, device controls and the automations configured on your node • Contact names are matched on your device only, and only if you turn them on • Encrypted App Backup to move your settings and paired nodes to a new iPhone • English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese and Korean • Node credentials are kept in the iOS Keychain IN-APP PURCHASE Without Vonode Lifetime, you can choose one number on one node and read in the app the SMS it receives over the cellular network, and, with node software v1.4.2 or later, over Wi-Fi Calling. With node software v1.4.2 or later, you can also use Filtered, mark messages as spam or not spam, and set sender rules for that number. Node management (paired phones, administrator password, backups and updates) is also included. Outside an active trial, access to calls, sending messages, notifications, eSIM, automation, diagnostics and more numbers requires Vonode Lifetime, a one-time In-App Purchase available in the app. Vonode Lifetime unlocks one node with every feature for as long as VONODE LLC offers the Vonode services and does not renew. 7-DAY TRIAL Eligible users with node software v1.4.3 or later can obtain a free 7-day Trial, a non-consumable In-App Purchase. It unlocks one node for 7 days (168 hours) from the original App Store purchase time, even if activated later. One trial per Apple Account, node and app installation; eligibility is checked. Restoring purchases or reinstalling does not restart it, and it cannot move to another node. It does not renew or turn into a payment. At its end, calls, sending, notifications and other unlocked features stop. Your data is kept; one-number SMS access depends on this phone's free-plan slot being available. The trial needs an online node and relay; offline time is not added. You may buy Vonode Lifetime separately at the price shown in the app. Vonode is not an emergency communications service. Availability depends on your hardware, node, network and carrier. Terms of Use: https://vonode.cc/terms/ Privacy Policy: https://vonode.cc/privacy/ With node 1.4.5+, restricted actions require three lawful-use confirmations. You may decline and stay read-only; older nodes remain available for reading, maintenance and upgrade. Report misuse: support@vonode.cc.

Screenshots

Bref Player4 screens
Vonode4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Bref Player at 5.0 against Vonode's 3.7. Bref Player also leads on device support (5 vs 2) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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. Bref Player sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and Vonode sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Bref Player holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 3 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Bref Player ships an update every 2 days, Vonode every 3 days. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Bref Player versus Vonode: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBref PlayerVonode
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (8 ratings) — better3.7 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings8 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 3 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple TV — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size71 MB37 MB
Age rating9+4+
DeveloperHatch Co., LtdVONODE LLC

Customer experience

Bref Player

All ratings8 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews17 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Vonode

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Bref Player

Subscriptions1
  • Bref Pro Monthly7 Days trial$0.991 Month
One-time1
  • Bref Pro$9.99
2 purchases

Vonode

One-time2
  • 7-day TrialFree
  • Vonode Lifetime$9.99

Questions

Is Bref Player free?
Bref Player is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Vonode free?
Vonode is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Bref Player or Vonode?
Bref Player is rated higher. Bref Player averages 5.0 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while Vonode averages 3.7 from 3 ratings.
Do Bref Player or Vonode have ads?
Neither Bref Player nor Vonode shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Bref Player or Vonode?
Bref Player ships an update every 2 days, and Vonode every 3 days. Most recently, Bref Player was updated on October 31, 2026 and Vonode on October 31, 2026.

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