# DeadSpread vs Play Dead

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: DeadSpread at none against Play Dead's 2. DeadSpread also leads on review sentiment (90% vs 61%) and rating (4.8 vs 4.4). Play Dead's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and chart position (#93 vs unranked). On price and ratings volume there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Play Dead sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. DeadSpread asks for nothing beyond the download.

DeadSpread holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 101 and 77 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 90% of DeadSpread's written reviews are positive against 61% of Play Dead's.

DeadSpread ships an update every 6 days, Play Dead monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | DeadSpread | Play Dead |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (101 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/deadspread/id1523844467/reviews)** | [4.4 (77 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/play-dead-grateful-dead-app/id6747825801/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **101** | 77 |
| Positive reviews | **90.0% of reviews** | 61.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 days** | Monthly |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#93** |
| Size | 28 MB | 85 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 12+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Walter Sanders](https://appshunter.io/developer/1512990324) | [nugs.net enterprises, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/327248667) |

## What reviewers say

### DeadSpread

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/deadspread/id1523844467)

Access and stream a vast collection of live concert recordings from bands like the Grateful Dead and Widespread Panic. Download your favorite shows to enjoy offline. Discover music from various other jam bands.

**Highlights:** Stream live concert recordings, Download shows for offline playback, Access archive.org content, Discover Widespread Panic shows, Explore other jam band artists

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Play Dead

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/play-dead-grateful-dead-app/id6747825801)

**Currently charting:** #93 Top Grossing · Music (US App Store)

Access a vast library of officially remastered live Grateful Dead concert recordings. Discover previously unreleased shows every week, including rare CD-only releases now available in high-resolution audio. Listen across your devices with seamless playback.

**Highlights:** Official Grateful Dead live recordings, Hi-res remastered audio, Exclusive 'Dead Drops' weekly, CD-only releases now streaming, Vault organized by year, Cross-device listening, Apple CarPlay support

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Yearly | $99.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is DeadSpread free?

DeadSpread is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Play Dead free?

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

### Which has better reviews, DeadSpread or Play Dead?

DeadSpread is rated higher. DeadSpread averages 4.8 out of 5 from 101 ratings, while Play Dead averages 4.4 from 77 ratings.

### Do DeadSpread or Play Dead have ads?

DeadSpread shows ads; Play Dead does not.

### Which is updated more often, DeadSpread or Play Dead?

DeadSpread ships an update every 6 days, and Play Dead monthly. Most recently, DeadSpread was updated on September 21, 2026 and Play Dead on September 22, 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.*