Comparison

Kernel vs PulsarCast

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

Head to head
About

Kernel

This AI-powered app helps you discover, organize, and share movies and TV shows. Describe a title to find it, get recommendations directly from friends, and track upcoming releases. It also shows you where to stream content across various services.

Highlights
  • AI-powered search by description
  • Direct friend recommendations
  • Create movie/TV show playlists
  • Automatic release tracking and notifications
  • Streaming service availability
  • Widgets and Apple Watch support
Features
Read full description

Kernel is your AI-powered companion for movies and shows. Discover, organize, and share what to watch, all in one remarkably simple app. • Describe it, we’ll find it Forgot the name? Just describe the movie or show and Kernel AI will find it for you. • Recommend directly Effortlessly share what you’re watching. Your friends can now receive recommendations right on their Kernel profile. • Create playlists for Movies and TV Shows Save what you’ve seen, what you want to watch, and everything in between. • Track releases automatically Add upcoming titles and get notified as they approach. Stay on top of every release without any effort. • Know where to stream See exactly where to watch across services like Netflix, Apple TV, Prime Video, Disney+, and more. • Built-in widgets & Apple Watch support Keep your most anticipated releases front and center, on your home screen or your wrist. Available in English and Spanish. Photos and artwork used on Kernel are the property of their respective owners. Studio logos and other trademarks used herein are the property of their respective owners. Information about the auto-renewable Subscription: * Subscription terms are 1 week, 1 month or 1 year. The subscription is renewed every week, month or year. * Payments will be collected through your iTunes account after you confirm your purchase. * Auto-renewable Subscriptions will be renewed unless canceled 24 hours before the subscription expires. * You can cancel your subscription at this address: http://support.apple.com/HT202039 * Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

PulsarCast

Features
Read full description

PulsarCast is the podcast app we always wanted: fast, private and focused on listening. Bring your podcasts with you, organize them your way, and listen without ads, trackers or unnecessary clutter. WHY LISTENERS SWITCH • Follow any podcast by search, RSS, private feed or Spotify show link • Import and export OPML so your library stays yours • Organize shows into colored lists and continuous queues • Download new episodes automatically for offline listening • Use Voice Boost, Smart Speed and pitch-corrected playback speed • Navigate chapters, links, sleep timer and configurable skip buttons • Sync your library, queue and progress with an optional passwordless account • Listen on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and CarPlay • Personalize the app with themes, colors, icons and a calmer home screen PRIVATE BY DESIGN PulsarCast has no ads, no third-party trackers and we never sell your data. The core podcast player works without an account. PULSARCAST ULTRA Ultra is optional. It unlocks AI listening tools, personal audio, advanced smart-list automations, web access and deeper customization. With Ultra you can: • Turn articles, links, PDFs and pasted text into listenable episodes • Ask questions about an episode or your whole library • Get summaries, cited links and skippable-section detection • Upload your own audio and listen everywhere • Automate downloads, alerts, queue rules and cleanup • Use the full PulsarCast experience on the web The core podcast player stays free. Ultra is available as an optional auto-renewable monthly or yearly subscription. Payment is charged to your Apple Account. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel in your Apple Account settings. Privacy Policy: https://pulsarcast.com/privacy Terms of Use: https://pulsarcast.com/terms

Screenshots

Kernel4 screens
PulsarCast4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: PulsarCast at every 2 days against Kernel's every 2 weeks. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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. Kernel sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days and PulsarCast sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.00 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Kernel ships an update every 2 weeks, PulsarCast every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on August 26, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Kernel versus PulsarCast: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKernelPulsarCast
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (223 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews62.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings223 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscription—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Vision ProiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size34 MB11 MB
Age rating9+4+
DeveloperNikias MolinaGreat Heights Systems S.L.

Bugs and requests

Kernel

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Apple Watch app doesn't work, shows blank screen
  • Release dates are sometimes inaccurate
  • Can't remove movies from 'Upcoming' playlist after release

Requested features

6 requests
  • Add ability to rate movies and shows
  • Implement a 'mark all as seen' feature for TV shows
  • Allow sorting playlists manually
  • Add support for more streaming services
  • Integrate Rotten Tomatoes ratings
Show 1 more
  • Develop an iPad version of the app

PulsarCast

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Kernel

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly$0.997 Days
  • Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Yearly$15.991 Year
3 purchases

PulsarCast

Subscriptions3
  • PulsarCast Ultra$6.001 Month
  • PulsarCast Plus7 Days trial$9.991 Year
  • PulsarCast Ultra$60.001 Year

Questions

Is Kernel free?
Kernel is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PulsarCast free?
PulsarCast is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Kernel or PulsarCast have ads?
Neither Kernel nor PulsarCast shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Kernel or PulsarCast?
Kernel ships an update every 2 weeks, and PulsarCast every 2 days. Most recently, Kernel was updated on August 26, 2026 and PulsarCast on September 9, 2026.

Other comparisons