SBIFF vs AFI FEST
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SBIFF
Access comprehensive schedules and detailed film information for all events, including the annual Film Festival and year-round programming. Stay updated on screenings at SBIFF's Riviera Theatre and Film Center.
- Event schedules
- Film information
- Annual Film Festival details
- Year-round programming
- Venue information
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Get all of your schedule and film info for SBIFF's events including the annual Film Festival and year round programming at SBIFF's Riviera Theatre and Film Center.
AFI FEST
Navigate a film festival with ease. View schedules, purchase tickets and passes, and access your digital tickets. Stay informed with the latest festival news and FAQs.
- View film schedule
- Buy tickets and passes
- Access digital tickets
- Festival FAQs
- Receive news updates
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The AFI FEST app provides tools you will need to navigate the festival in-person: View film schedule Buy tickets and passes Access your tickets FAQs Receive up-to-date news And more! Download the app today and login with your FEST credentials to access all you will need to attend AFI FEST! The American Film Institute is a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to celebrating excellence in the art form and to creating national education initiatives that inspire artists and audiences alike.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ratings volume: SBIFF at 444 against AFI FEST's 1. AFI FEST's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, rating, update cadence 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for SBIFF against 5.0 for AFI FEST. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SBIFF has 444 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
SBIFF ships an update every 11 months, AFI FEST every 12 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SBIFF | AFI FEST |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (444 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 444 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 11 months — better | Every 12 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 105 MB | 26 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Santa Barbara International Film Festival | American Film Institute |
Customer experience
SBIFF
AFI FEST
In-app purchases
SBIFF
No in-app purchases
AFI FEST
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is SBIFF free?
Is AFI FEST free?
Which has better reviews, SBIFF or AFI FEST?
Do SBIFF or AFI FEST have ads?
Which is updated more often, SBIFF or AFI FEST?
Other comparisons
