Comparison

Actors Access vs Backstage

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

Head to head
About

Actors Access

Easily submit yourself and audition for casting calls directly from your device. Access available roles, receive important notifications, and manage your audition materials. Requires a paid membership for full submission features.

Highlights
  • Submit for casting calls
  • Audition for roles
  • View posted roles
  • Receive audition notifications
  • Send self-tape auditions
  • Join live audition sessions
  • Download audition sides
Currently charting
Read full description

The Actors Access App is the easiest way for Actors Access members to submit themselves and audition for Casting. An Actors Access Plus membership is required in order to submit to roles on this app. Actors Access App free features include: • View roles posted to Actors Access • Receive notifications for auditions and callbacks • Send Eco Cast self-tape auditions • Join an Eco Cast Live session • Download sides • Manage Role Match settings Payment Information: • Monthly subscriptions purchased via the app will be charged to your credit card through your Apple account. Your subscription will automatically renew unless canceled at least 24-hours prior to the renewal date. You can manage your subscriptions through the Subscriptions page in Settings. Terms of Service and Privacy Policy: https://actorsaccess.com/termsofservice.html

About

Backstage

Discover acting jobs and auditions worldwide for TV, film, and more. Browse thousands of curated casting calls, apply to unlimited roles, and build your career in the performing arts. A free download with optional subscription for advanced features.

Highlights
  • Browse global casting calls
  • Apply to unlimited roles
  • Create saved searches
  • Upload media
  • Build talent profile
  • Find acting jobs
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

For over 60 years, Backstage has served as one of the most trusted resources in the entertainment industry for casting projects, finding jobs, and building careers in the performing arts. Whether you’re just getting started or you’re a seasoned veteran, the Backstage app is the perfect resource for finding and applying to casting calls from all over the world - anytime, from anywhere! Browse thousands of curated casting calls from TV shows, movies, independent productions, music videos, voiceover gigs, modeling jobs, and more right at your fingertips. With unlimited applications and media uploads, the Backstage app makes finding your next audition easier and better than ever. Create saved searches tailored to your specifications to be the first to know about (and apply to!) the kinds of jobs you want most. The Backstage app is free to download, allowing all users to search and browse available casting calls. Upgrade to a subscription to unlock unlimited applications and build a professional talent profile that will wow casting directors. Happy auditioning! If you choose to purchase a subscription to Backstage, your payment will be charged to your Apple account at confirmation of purchase. Your subscription will automatically renew each month or year 24-hours before the end of the current period unless auto-renew is turned off. Auto-renew may be turned off at any time from your Apple account settings. Prices for subscriptions are in U.S. dollars, and may vary in countries other than the U.S. and are subject to change without notice. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription. No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during the active subscription period. If you don’t choose to purchase a Backstage subscription, you can continue to use the Backstage app for free. This app includes subscription options, including via optional in-app purchases. If you don’t choose to purchase a Backstage subscription, you can continue to use the Backstage app for free to manage your profile and view job listings, messages, and other resources; however, a subscription is required to utilize some aspects of the service. Terms of Service: https://www.backstage.com/terms-of-service/ Privacy policy: https://www.backstage.com/privacy-policy/

Screenshots

Actors Access4 screens
Backstage4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Backstage at 4.7 against Actors Access's 2.6. Backstage also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (weekly vs every 6 months). Actors Access's advantage is iOS requirement (16.0 vs 26.0). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and chart position 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. Actors Access sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $9.99 per month and Backstage sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $24.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Backstage holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Backstage has 19K ratings behind it against 61, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 21% of Actors Access's written reviews are positive against 34% of Backstage's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Actors Access ships an update every 6 months, Backstage weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Actors Access versus Backstage: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterActors AccessBackstage
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.6 (61 ratings)4.7 (19K ratings) — better
Positive reviews21.0% of reviews33.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings6119K — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsWeekly — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#64#34 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size39 MB140 MB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperBreakdown Services, Ltd.Backstage LLC

Customer experience

Actors Access

All ratings61 ratings
Positive32.8%
Neutral9.8%
Negative57.4%
Written reviews124 reviews
Positive21.0%
Neutral14.5%
Negative64.5%

Backstage

All ratings18,768 ratings
Positive93.4%
Neutral2.9%
Negative3.7%
Written reviews270 reviews
Positive33.7%
Neutral15.6%
Negative50.7%

User reviews

Actors Access

From 61 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Good app
  • 🚀 Convenient for submitting
  • 💡 Helpful notifications

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Buggy and glitchy
  • 🔍 Limited functionality compared to website
  • 🚫 Cannot access profile or cMail
  • 💤 Outdated/redundant notifications
  • 📤 Issues with uploading and submitting

Backstage

From 19K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Great platform for finding acting jobs
  • 👍 Easy to use interface
  • 💡 Helpful for building an acting resume
  • 🚀 Efficient way to search for and apply to roles

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Subscription issues and billing problems
  • 🔒 Lack of customer service and support
  • 🐛 Buggy app with crashing and loading issues
  • 💰 Expensive subscription fees

Bugs and requests

Actors Access

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App crashes or freezes
  • Inconsistent or missing data
  • Login issues
  • Slow or unreliable uploads

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add cMail access
  • Improve filtering and sorting options
  • Allow profile editing on app
  • Provide print functionality for sides
  • Better integration with website features

Backstage

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App repeatedly logs users out
  • Inability to upload media/headshots
  • Casting calls not loading properly
  • Notification system not working as expected

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add ability to save specific job postings
  • Improve search filtering options
  • Integrate calendar download for audition dates
  • Provide more detailed job information in app

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Actors Access

Subscriptions1
  • Actors Access Plus Monthly$9.991 Month
7 purchases

Backstage

Subscriptions7
  • Monthly Membership$24.991 Month
  • Monthly Membership1 Month trial$24.991 Month
  • 3-Month Membership3 Months trial$74.993 Months
Show 4 more
  • 3-Month Membership$74.993 Months
  • 6-Month Membership2 variants$99.996 Months
  • Annual Membership$199.991 Year
  • Annual Membership1 Year trial$199.991 Year

Questions

Is Actors Access free?
Actors Access is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Backstage free?
Backstage is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Actors Access or Backstage?
Backstage is rated higher. Actors Access averages 2.6 out of 5 from 61 ratings, while Backstage averages 4.7 from 19K ratings.
Do Actors Access or Backstage have ads?
Actors Access shows ads; Backstage does not.
Which is updated more often, Actors Access or Backstage?
Actors Access ships an update every 6 months, and Backstage weekly. Most recently, Actors Access was updated on September 23, 2026 and Backstage on September 24, 2026.
Which is more popular, Actors Access or Backstage?
Actors Access currently peaks at #64 in the App Store charts, and Backstage at #34. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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