# Streamlabs vs Backbone

The clearest difference is rating: Backbone at 4.8 against Streamlabs's 3.9. Backbone also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (100K vs 1.2K). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Streamlabs sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Backbone sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Backbone holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Backbone has 100K ratings behind it against 1.2K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 29% of Streamlabs's written reviews are positive against 51% of Backbone's.

Streamlabs ships an update every 2 weeks, Backbone every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Streamlabs | Backbone |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.9 (1.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/streamlabs-live-streaming-app/id1294578643/reviews) | **[4.8 (100K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backbone-next-level-play/id1449660663/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 1.2K | **100K** |
| Positive reviews | 29.2% of reviews | **51.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#61** |
| Size | 105 MB | 422 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Streamlabs](https://appshunter.io/developer/1296663686) | [Backbone Labs, Inc. (US)](https://appshunter.io/developer/1449660662) |

## What reviewers say

### Streamlabs

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/streamlabs-live-streaming-app/id1294578643)

This app enables creators to broadcast live video from their mobile devices to various platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook. Stream mobile games or your camera feed, customize your stream with themes and widgets, and engage with viewers through alerts. Monetize your content with tips and ensure stream stability with advanced features.

**Highlights:** Stream to multiple platforms, Live stream mobile games, IRL camera streaming, Stream customization with themes, Add alerts and widgets, Collect viewer tips, Disconnect protection

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Ultra | $4.99 | per month |
| Monthly Ultra | $9.99 | per month |
| Monthly Ultra | $18.99 | per month |
| Monthly Ultra | $27.99 | per month |
| Yearly Ultra | $49.99 | per year |
| Monthly Ultra+ | $79.99 | per month |
| Yearly Ultra | $99.99 | per year |
| Yearly Ultra | $119.99 | per year |
| Yearly Ultra | $149.99 | per year |
| Yearly Ultra | $189.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Reliable streaming
- 👍 Easy to use
- 🎨 Customizable overlays
- 📢 Good for IRL streaming

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes/disconnections
- 🔇 Audio issues (sync, mute, quality)
- 📱 Limited mobile functionality (no screen recording, overlays)
- 🤔 Confusing settings/UI

**Reported bugs**

- Attempted to start invalid broadcast session
- Streaming stops unexpectedly
- Overlays not working as expected
- Microphone/audio issues

**Requested features**

- Add screen recording support
- Improve audio settings and quality
- Allow more customization and overlays for mobile
- Provide better tutorials and documentation


### Backbone

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backbone-next-level-play/id1449660663)

**Currently charting:** #61 Top Grossing · Social Networking, #122 Top Free · Social Networking (US App Store)

Transform your iPhone or iPad into a powerful gaming console. Play a wide range of games and services, record and share epic gameplay moments, and connect with friends for seamless multiplayer experiences. Discover and launch your favorite controller-supported games from a single app.

**Highlights:** Play any game or service supporting controllers, Record, edit, and share gameplay clips, Automatic highlight detection, Friend notifications and in-app voice chat, Centralized game launcher

**Features:** Game Controller support

**In-app purchases (14)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Backbone+ | $3.99 | per month |
| Backbone+ | $3.99 | per month |
| Backbone+ | $7.99 | per month |
| Backbone+ | $29.99 | per year |
| Backbone+ | $29.99 | per year |
| Backbone+ | $39.99 | per year |
| Backbone+ | $39.99 | per year |
| Backbone+ | $39.99 | per year |
| Backbone+ | $39.99 | per year |
| Backbone+ | $39.99 | per year |
| Backbone+ | $39.99 | per year |
| Backbone+ 4 | $39.99 | per year |
| Backbone+ | $49.99 | per year |
| Backbone+ | $49.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great gaming experience
- 👍 Seamless integration with app
- 🎮 Feels like a dedicated gaming device
- 💡 Turns phone into a portable console
- 🎨 Sleek and premium design

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🔒 Locked features behind paywall
- 🔌 Requires removing phone case
- 🎮 Ergonomics not ideal for all games
- 🐛 Connectivity issues and bugs

**Reported bugs**

- Random disconnections during gameplay
- App crashes and freezes
- Issues with controller button mapping
- Incompatibility with certain games

**Requested features**

- Allow use without subscription
- Add more customization options
- Improve compatibility with various phone models
- Integrate with more cloud gaming services


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Streamlabs free?

Streamlabs is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Backbone free?

Backbone is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Streamlabs or Backbone?

Backbone is rated higher. Streamlabs averages 3.9 out of 5 from 1.2K ratings, while Backbone averages 4.8 from 100K ratings.

### Do Streamlabs or Backbone have ads?

Streamlabs shows ads; Backbone does not.

### Which is updated more often, Streamlabs or Backbone?

Streamlabs ships an update every 2 weeks, and Backbone every 3 weeks. Most recently, Streamlabs was updated on September 24, 2026 and Backbone on September 24, 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.*