Comparison

Marco Polo vs BatChat

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

Head to head
About

Marco Polo

This app offers private, ad-free video messaging for one-on-one or group conversations. It focuses on genuine connection without social media pressures, allowing users to communicate on their own schedule.

Highlights
  • Private, ad-free video chat
  • Asynchronous video messaging
  • One-on-one and group chats
  • Emoji reactions and special effects
  • Sharecast feature
  • Background listening (Plus)
  • Speed control (Plus)
Features
Read full description

Marco Polo is the video chat app that brings you closer to the people who matter most without asking you to compromise on trust. ONE VIDEO IS WORTH A THOUSAND TEXTS Communicate face-to-face in a private, ad-free space with no interruptions or intrusions. This award-winning video chat app isn’t social media. There are no “likes” or comparisons, and there are no tricks to keep you on the app for longer than you wish. SIMPLE, CONVENIENT, ANYTIME CONNECTION Send a video. Get one back. Talk one-on-one or in groups. Continue the conversation on your own schedule. YOU DON’T HAVE TO COMPROMISE ON TRUST Our purpose? To help people feel close. To fulfill it, Marco Polo does things differently. We monetize responsibly. The Marco Polo Plus subscription plan allows us to make money in a way that’s true to our purpose – no ads, no selling your data – while maintaining a free service for the majority of our community. We hold ourselves accountable. Earning your trust is vital to our team, from the technology we create to the business decisions we make. We measure our impact. Does our product deliver on our promise and our purpose? Does it make people happier? Research indicates yes, and we commit to conducting this research regularly to ensure we stay on track. CHOOSE THE VERSION THAT FITS YOUR LIFE Marco Polo is FREE, with: Unlimited chats and groups Emoji reactions and fun special effects Sharecast, our newest feature. Send one video to everyone in your circle, and only you see reactions and replies. It’s the convenience of groups with no cross-conversations. Marco Polo Plus offers premium features including: 1.5-3x speed control Background listening Custom and animated emojis 6 Plus Passes so you can share 2 months free with friends and family Marco Polo Plus Family Save with up to six memberships with one plan. Plus Family is not limited to members within one household. - Payments are charged to the user's Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. - Subscriptions automatically renew unless the user cancels at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. - The account is charged for renewal within 24-hours before the end of the current period. - Users can manage and cancel subscriptions in their account settings on the App Store. Terms of Service: https://www.marcopolo.me/terms/

About

BatChat

This secure messaging app offers end-to-end encrypted communication for both personal and professional use. It features private chat modes, encrypted file storage, and high-definition calls, ensuring data security and privacy.

Highlights
  • End-to-end encryption
  • Private chat mode with screenshot alerts
  • Encrypted local file storage
  • Multimedia file transfer
  • HD encrypted voice and video calls
  • Multi-device synchronization
  • Virtual avatar creation
Features
Read full description

Bat is a professional encrypted messaging app. Built on years of technical expertise, we are committed to delivering efficient and secure communication experiences to users worldwide. We adopt high-strength encryption technology and comprehensive communication features to provide professional protection for users’ information security. Security Protection Full-Process Encrypted Communication – Messages and files are transmitted with encryption, ensuring their security during transfer. Private Chat Mode – Customizable chat retention rules, with screenshot detection alerts. Encrypted Space – Locally encrypted storage for important files and memos, safeguarding data security. Core Features Multimedia Transmission – High-speed encrypted transfer of text, images, voice, video and files. HD Calling – Smooth encrypted voice and video calls, supporting group calls. Multi-Device Sync – Simultaneous login on mobile, PC and tablet for seamless message synchronization. Innovative Interaction Virtual Avatar – Create your exclusive virtual identity for more fun interactions. Custom Watermark Camera – Add anti-counterfeit traceable watermarks to captured images, protecting copyright and authenticity. Technology & Advantages Encryption Technology – Advanced encryption algorithms for secure group and personal communication. Stability & Reliability – Smooth and stable communication services powered by profound technical accumulation. Full-Scenario Adaptation – Meets diverse needs including daily personal communication and enterprise team collaboration. Application Scenarios Enterprise Teams – Business file sharing, internal communication, remote project collaboration. Daily Socializing – Private conversations with family and friends, protecting personal privacy. Brand Promise Years of technical accumulation and professional encryption protection to safeguard your communication security. Download Bate now and experience the perfect blend of professional secure communication and fun social interaction.

Screenshots

Marco Polo4 screens
BatChat4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Marco Polo at 4.8 against BatChat's 3.5. Marco Polo also leads on ratings volume (2.2M vs 101) and chart position (#10 vs unranked). BatChat's advantage is review sentiment (86% vs 65%) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. Marco Polo sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and BatChat sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Marco Polo holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Marco Polo has 2.2M ratings behind it against 101, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 65% of Marco Polo's written reviews are positive against 86% of BatChat's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Marco Polo ships an update weekly, BatChat every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on November 7, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Marco Polo versus BatChat: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMarco PoloBatChat
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (2.2M ratings) — better3.5 (101 ratings)
Positive reviews65.3% of reviews86.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2.2M — better101
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#10 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size223 MB278 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperJoya CommunicationsChengDu Ciyuan zhishi Technology Co., Ltd

Customer experience

Marco Polo

All ratings2,163,836 ratings
Positive94.9%
Neutral3.2%
Negative1.9%
Written reviews1,466 reviews
Positive65.3%
Neutral9.2%
Negative25.5%

BatChat

All ratings101 ratings
Positive58.4%
Neutral7.9%
Negative33.7%
Written reviews121 reviews
Positive86.0%
Neutral2.5%
Negative11.6%

User reviews

Marco Polo

From 2.2M App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Great for long-distance communication
  • 🚀 Convenient video messaging
  • 💡 Allows asynchronous communication
  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 👍 Helps maintain relationships

Room to improve

  • 🔒 Expensive subscription model
  • 🐛 Video and audio quality issues
  • 🐛 Bugs and glitches
  • 🔋 High data usage
  • 🔒 Removing previously free features

BatChat

From 101 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🔒 Strong privacy and security
  • 👍 Simple and clean interface
  • 🚀 Fast and efficient performance
  • 💡 Unique features like screenshot alerts and self-destructing messages
  • 💬 Good for social interaction and making friends

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Login issues and network errors
  • 🐛 App not working or crashing
  • 🐛 Some users report it's a scam or phishing software
  • 🐛 Paid features for encryption
  • 🐛 Frequent ads for non-members

Bugs and requests

Marco Polo

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Videos stopping or going black during playback
  • Issues with marking messages as unwatched
  • Inconsistent behavior after app updates
  • Forced upgrade to paid version without warning

Requested features

6 requests
  • Add text messaging capabilities
  • Improve video/audio quality
  • Bring back previously free features
  • Add option to save/download videos
  • Improve navigation and playback controls
Show 1 more
  • Expand emoji and reaction options

BatChat

Reported bugs

6 issues
  • Cannot log in
  • Network connection issues
  • Cannot send messages
  • App not opening
  • Login registration fails for Chinese phone numbers
Show 1 more
  • Download issues

Requested features

1 request
  • Adapt to landscape mode

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Marco Polo

Subscriptions10
  • Marco Polo - Unlimited Storage$7.991 Month
  • Marco Polo Plus7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Marco Polo Plus14 Days trial$9.991 Month
Show 7 more
  • Marco Polo Plus - Family Plan7 Days trial$19.991 Month
  • Marco Polo Plus – Family Plan14 Days trial$19.991 Month
  • Marco Polo - Unlimited Storage$47.991 Year
  • Marco Polo Plus$79.991 Year
  • Marco Polo Plus7 Days trial$79.991 Year
  • Marco Polo Plus – Family Plan$159.991 Year
  • Marco Polo Plus – Family Plan7 Days trial$159.991 Year
10 purchases

BatChat

One-time10
  • 1月的免广告服务$0.99
  • 50BF币$6.99
  • 蝙蝠1个月VIP$9.99
Show 7 more
  • 1月自动签到服务$14.99
  • 3个月VIP$29.99
  • 198Bat币$29.99
  • 6个月VIP$59.99
  • 6个月的自动任务服务$69.99
  • 1年SVIP$99.99
  • 1年自动签到服务$129.99

Questions

Is Marco Polo free?
Marco Polo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is BatChat free?
BatChat is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Marco Polo or BatChat?
Marco Polo is rated higher. Marco Polo averages 4.8 out of 5 from 2.2M ratings, while BatChat averages 3.5 from 101 ratings.
Do Marco Polo or BatChat have ads?
Neither Marco Polo nor BatChat shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Marco Polo or BatChat?
Marco Polo ships an update weekly, and BatChat every 2 weeks. Most recently, Marco Polo was updated on November 7, 2026 and BatChat on November 7, 2026.

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