# Backstage vs HQ

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.

Both are free to download. Backstage sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $24.99 per month. HQ asks for nothing beyond the download.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | Backstage | HQ |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (19K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backstage-casting-calls/id1215380527/reviews)** | [3.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hq-model-app/id6469348153/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **19K** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 33.5% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#31** | — |
| Size | 141 MB | 48 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | **15.8.3** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 12+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Backstage LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/911140995) | [Headquarters](https://appshunter.io/developer/1711812637) |

## What reviewers say

### Backstage

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backstage-casting-calls/id1215380527)

**Currently charting:** #31 Top Grossing · Business (US App Store)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Membership | $24.99 | per month |
| Monthly Membership | $24.99 | per month |
| 3-Month Membership | $74.99 | per 3 months |
| 3-Month Membership | $74.99 | per 3 months |
| 6-Month Membership | $99.99 | per 6 months |
| Semi-Annual Membership | $119.99 | per 6 months |
| Annual Membership | $199.99 | per year |
| Annual Membership | $199.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- 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

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hq-model-app/id6469348153)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*