Comparison

Backstage vs HQ

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

Head to head
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/

About

HQ

Streamline your professional life by consolidating all your agencies into a single profile. Manage your calendars, portfolios, and job opportunities efficiently. Never miss a booking again with instant confirmations and centralized information.

Highlights
  • Consolidated agency profiles
  • Merged calendars and portfolios
  • Job event confirmation
  • Booking opportunity tracking
Features
Read full description

Connect all your agencies in one profile : - Merge your calendars, portfolios and info - Confirm job event reception to your agents - Never miss a booking opportunity ever again

Screenshots

Backstage4 screens
HQ4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: HQ at 100% against Backstage's 33%. HQ also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 8) and device support (3 vs 1). Backstage's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 3.0) and ratings volume (19K vs 2). On price 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. Backstage sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $24.99 per month. HQ asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Backstage holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Backstage has 19K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 33% of Backstage's written reviews are positive against 100% of HQ's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Backstage ships an update weekly, HQ monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 2 level
Backstage versus HQ: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBackstageHQ
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (19K ratings) — better3.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews33.5% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings19K — better2
Update frequencyWeekly — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#27 — better—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS26.015.8.3 — better
Further details — not scored
Size141 MB48 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperBackstage LLCHeadquarters

Customer experience

Backstage

All ratings18,835 ratings
Positive93.4%
Neutral2.9%
Negative3.7%
Written reviews272 reviews
Positive33.5%
Neutral15.4%
Negative51.1%

HQ

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

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

HQ

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

8 purchases

Backstage

Subscriptions8
  • Monthly Membership$24.991 Month
  • Monthly Membership1 Month trial$24.991 Month
  • 3-Month Membership3 Months trial$74.993 Months
Show 5 more
  • 3-Month Membership$74.993 Months
  • 6-Month Membership$99.996 Months
  • Semi-Annual Membership$119.996 Months
  • Annual Membership$199.991 Year
  • Annual Membership1 Year trial$199.991 Year
None

HQ

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Backstage free?
Backstage is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is HQ free?
HQ is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Backstage or HQ?
Backstage is rated higher. Backstage averages 4.7 out of 5 from 19K ratings, while HQ averages 3.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Backstage or HQ have ads?
Neither Backstage nor HQ shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Backstage or HQ?
Backstage ships an update weekly, and HQ monthly. Most recently, Backstage was updated on October 18, 2026 and HQ on September 20, 2026.

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