Comparison

IMAX vs RIDEVU

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

Head to head
About

IMAX

Discover upcoming films, documentaries, and live events. Save your favorite theaters to stay updated on showtimes and release dates. Access exclusive content like cast messages and digital art.

Highlights
  • Save favorite theaters
  • View showtimes and release dates
  • Browse film and event listings
  • Access exclusive cast messages
  • Download exclusive IMAX Art
  • Explore capsule collections
Read full description

From Hollywood blockbuster releases to exclusive one-night-only artist performances, IMAX is personalizing your theatre experience with the help of our app: - Save your home theatre and stay updated on what’s playing on our screens - Learn release dates for films, documentaries, and amazing, one-night-only IMAX Live experiences - Browse our limited-edition capsule collections celebrating the history of our cameras and our filmmaking heritage - Receive exclusive downloadable messages from cast and crew, and save our exclusive IMAX Art on your phone Download today to be in the best seat tomorrow. Terms of Use: https://www.imax.com/content/terms-service Privacy Policy: https://www.imax.com/content/privacy-policy

About

RIDEVU

This app allows you to access your existing RIDEVU account to stream and download movies on brought-in devices. It enables multi-screen playback for up to six devices, with central control for managing content for passengers.

Highlights
  • Access RIDEVU account
  • Download content for offline playback
  • Cast to TV
  • Multi-screen playback (up to 6 screens)
  • Screen Manager for playback control
  • Access bonus content
Read full description

RIDEVU is an in-car digital video service. The RIDEVU Companion app allows playback on brought in devices from your existing RIDEVU account. Please note, as a companion app it is inoperable without a RIDEVU account.* Download the RIDEVU Companion App for a frictionless entertainment experience on the go and at home… • Access Your RIDEVU Account: Watch on brought in devices, and take your entertainment with you, wherever you go. With the RIDEVU companion app you can redeem movie credits, watch movies in your library or streaming package, download content for offline playback, or cast to your TV. • Multi-Screen Playback: Entertain your passengers with individual or shared viewing experiences on up to 6 screens • Screen Manager: Control playback across all screens easily from the center screen with Screen Manager, including brought in devices using the companion app.  LEARN MORE ABOUT THE KEY FEATURES OF RIDEVU: Enjoy a best in class in-car entertainment experience. Designed for inside the car and wherever you go, RIDEVU connects Sony Pictures Entertainment’s library of premium content with its advanced streaming technology to create a first of its kind in-car entertainment experience - wherever the road takes you next. In eligible vehicles, users can: • Explore over 2,000 films for all genres, ages and preferences, available to redeem, buy or rent.* • Enjoy hours of entertainment on built-in screens or brought-in iOS devices. • Control playback across all screens easily from the center screen with Screen Manager**.  • Entertain your passengers with individual or shared viewing experiences on up to 6 screens.  • Take a look behind the scenes with on-set bonus content and interviews with your favorite actors. HAVE QUESTIONS? For all RIDEVU tips, questions, and learning how to get started, please visit: www.RIDEVU.com *Access requires an eligible vehicle and RIDEVU account and is subject to RIDEVU Terms of Service. Promotional offers may vary by manufacturer. Available films and content are subject to change without notice and may vary by market. Number of available movies subject to change by market. **Available functionality varies by manufacturer, make and model Please note: You must have a RIDEVU account with existing access to RIDEVU to use this Companion App. RIDEVU is currently only offered from select automotive manufacturers in select territories.

Screenshots

IMAX4 screens
RIDEVU3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: RIDEVU at 3.0 against IMAX's 2.2. RIDEVU also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 19) and ads (none vs shown). IMAX's advantage is ratings volume (34 vs 6). On price, update cadence, device support and iOS requirement 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. IMAX sells 19 one-off in-app purchases. RIDEVU asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

RIDEVU holds the better App Store score, 3.0 against 2.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: IMAX has 34 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

IMAX ships an update monthly, RIDEVU every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
IMAX versus RIDEVU: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIMAXRIDEVU
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.2 (34 ratings)3.0 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews34.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings34 — better6
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPod, Vision ProiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.014.0
Further details — not scored
Size124 MB51 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperIMAX CorporationSony Pictures Home Entertainment

Customer experience

IMAX

All ratings32 ratings
Positive31.3%
Neutral3.1%
Negative65.6%
Written reviews104 reviews
Positive34.6%
Neutral10.6%
Negative54.8%

RIDEVU

All ratings4 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Bugs and requests

IMAX

Reported bugs

10 issues
  • App freezes on splash screen or black screen
  • Content loading error: 'There was an error loading the content'
  • Unable to retrieve content in certain regions
  • Login failures and authentication issues
  • App crashes after initial use
Show 5 more
  • Control center down arrow continuously flashing
  • Error messages appear without actual issues
  • Theater location search returns no results for existing locations
  • Password validation rejects secure keychain-generated passwords
  • Movie not displaying in expected 3D format despite listing

Requested features

18 requests
  • Add option to purchase movies instead of renting
  • Expand content library with major films (Dune, Oppenheimer, Interstellar, TRON, Lord of the Rings)
  • Subscription model for unlimited access
  • Update location database with new theaters
  • Add support for multiple favorite theaters
Show 13 more
  • Include full-length IMAX movies in 1.43 aspect ratio
  • Add 3D content for all available titles
  • Implement search functionality
  • Show rental duration and movie length information
  • Add trailers for all paid content
  • Download feature for offline viewing
  • Monthly or yearly subscription option
  • Shared viewing experience with other users
  • Hand visibility toggle for low-light viewing
  • Support for more countries and regions
  • Guest login option without account creation
  • Movie recommendations and sorting options
  • Theater kiosk ordering integration

RIDEVU

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

19 purchases

IMAX

One-time19
  • Hail Columbia$1.99
  • Fires of Kuwait$1.99
  • Pandas$2.99
Show 16 more
  • Superpower Dogs$3.99
  • A Beautiful Planet$4.99
  • Journey to the South Pacific$4.99
  • Superpower Dogs [3D]$4.99
  • Pandas [3D]$4.99
  • Deep Sky [3D]$4.99
  • Planet Earth 3: Ep7: Human$4.99
  • Planet Earth 3: Ep3: Deserts$4.99
  • Planet Earth 3: Ep4: Freshwate$4.99
  • Planet Earth 3: Ep5: Forrests$4.99
  • Planet Earth 3: Ep6: Extremes$4.99
  • Planet Earth 3: Ep1: Coasts$4.99
  • Planet Earth 3: Ep2: Ocean$4.99
  • A Beautiful Planet [3D]$5.99
  • Journey to the South Pacific$5.99
  • Deep Sky$6.99
None

RIDEVU

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is IMAX free?
IMAX is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is RIDEVU free?
RIDEVU is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, IMAX or RIDEVU?
RIDEVU is rated higher. IMAX averages 2.2 out of 5 from 34 ratings, while RIDEVU averages 3.0 from 6 ratings.
Do IMAX or RIDEVU have ads?
IMAX shows ads; RIDEVU does not.
Which is updated more often, IMAX or RIDEVU?
IMAX ships an update monthly, and RIDEVU every 6 weeks. Most recently, IMAX was updated on October 25, 2026 and RIDEVU on October 21, 2026.

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