Comparison

Streamlets vs SAFFIRE

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

Head to head
About

Streamlets

Listen to over 50,000 global radio stations directly from your smartwatch, even without your phone. Browse by country or genre, save favorites, and enjoy background playback, including during workouts.

Highlights
  • Standalone streaming on watch
  • 50,000+ global radio stations
  • Search by country, genre, or name
  • Save favorite stations
  • Background playback
  • Workout app integration
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

A standalone radio streaming watch with over 6 years of active development. The first and original radio watch app that plays through the watch speaker. Leave your phone at home and browse over 50,000 radio stations from around the world to stream directly on your Apple Watch. * Search for Radio Stations directly on your Apple Watch * Stream live broadcasts over wi-fi or cellular* * Play live streams when you have AirPods or compatible Bluetooth headphones/speaker connected or through the Watch speaker. * Save your favourite stations for easier access. * Browse live radio streams by country or genre/tag or search by the stations name. * Live widget integrations for now playing, favourites and recents. * See popular stations in your country * Runs in the background and integrates with the built in Workouts App. This App uses the superb Community Radio Browser service. If you don't see your favourite radio station in the App, then you can add it at http://www.radio-browser.info. Note: Streaming over cellular when not connected to your phone requires a cellular Apple Watch with an active data plan. For support or feature requests, please visit https://carmody.me

About

SAFFIRE

Features
Read full description

The SAFFIRE app allows you to participate in a public virtual mass choir workshop with the BBC Singers. This virtual choir workshop offers you a rare opportunity to sing as part of the BBC singers and immerse yourself in the BBC Maida Vale studio. You can join the BBC singers live from your home on your mobile phone or tablet. The BBC Singers will be in their home studio at BBC Maida Vale. During the one hour workshop you will rehearse a newly commissioned piece with the BBC Singers that will be recorded by the app at the end of the session. You will be able to upload your singing recording at the end of the session and it will become part of the BBC Singers' Centenary Concert at The Barbican in October 2024. To take part in the virtual choir workshop on 21st May sign up at https://saffire.york.ac.uk/

Screenshots

SAFFIRE3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: SAFFIRE at Free against Streamlets's $1.99. SAFFIRE also leads on update cadence (daily vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 18.6). Streamlets's advantage is chart position (#151 vs unranked). On 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

SAFFIRE is free to download; Streamlets costs $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Streamlets ships an update every 2 months, SAFFIRE daily. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and August 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Streamlets versus SAFFIRE: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStreamletsSAFFIRE
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating4.7 (122 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews91.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings122 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
Best chart rank#151 — better—
DevicesiPhone, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.612.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB60 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPaul CarmodyUniversity of York

Bugs and requests

Streamlets

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Disappearing/missing favorite stations
  • Inability to re-download app after watch reset

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add timer to automatically stop radio playback
  • Ability to play through Bluetooth headphones/speakers
  • Option to create custom station playlists
  • Add complication for quick access from watch face

SAFFIRE

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Streamlets

No in-app purchases

None

SAFFIRE

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Streamlets free?
Streamlets costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is SAFFIRE free?
SAFFIRE is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Streamlets or SAFFIRE have ads?
Neither Streamlets nor SAFFIRE shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Streamlets or SAFFIRE?
Streamlets ships an update every 2 months, and SAFFIRE daily. Most recently, Streamlets was updated on September 27, 2026 and SAFFIRE on August 20, 2026.

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