# Hark Audio vs Cascade PBS

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Hark Audio at 65% against Cascade PBS's 17%. Hark Audio also leads on rating (4.2 vs 3.7) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). Cascade PBS's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Hark Audio holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 84 and 32 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 65% of Hark Audio's written reviews are positive against 17% of Cascade PBS's.

Hark Audio ships an update every 6 weeks, Cascade PBS every 2 months. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Hark Audio | Cascade PBS |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.2 (84 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hark-audio/id1540109137/reviews)** | [3.7 (32 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cascade-pbs/id1578709872/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **84** | 32 |
| Positive reviews | **64.9% of reviews** | 17.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 85 MB | 45 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, Apple TV** |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Hark Audio Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1540044535) | [KCTS TELEVISION](https://appshunter.io/developer/1295747545) |

## What reviewers say

### Hark Audio

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hark-audio/id1540109137)

Discover curated podcast moments and "mixtapes" from expert editors and podcast hosts. Enjoy personalized weekly playlists and a full-featured player for all your favorite shows. Create your own clips and share them.

**Highlights:** Curated podcast moments ('Harklists'), Personalized weekly playlists, Full-featured podcast player, Create custom clips and Harklists, Import subscriptions from other apps, Listen on mobile, car, and smart speakers

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 💡 Innovative podcast discovery
- ✨ Aesthetic and cute design
- 🎧 Great curated clips
- 🧠 Learns user preferences
- 🎵 Easy to discover new shows

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐌 Slow and unusable
- 📱 Slows down phone
- 👎 Mediocre execution
- 🐢 Clunky and unenjoyable navigation
- 🗑️ Garbage app

**Reported bugs**

- Slow to update lists
- Slow to search
- App slows down phone
- App crashes when opening
- App freezes and crashes constantly

**Requested features**

- Add shorten silences playback option
- Make queuing, organizing, and playing easier
- Automatically move to the next episode
- Add more features for primary app use
- Improve navigation to desired curation


### Cascade PBS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cascade-pbs/id1578709872)

Stream prestige dramas, landmark documentaries, inspiring nature, and science programs. Access PBS favorites, local original series, and international content from a nonprofit streaming service for the Pacific Northwest. Enhance your viewing with an extended library through membership.

**Highlights:** Prestige dramas, Landmark documentaries, Nature and science programming, Local original series, International programming, Extended library with membership

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Hark Audio free?

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

### Is Cascade PBS free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Hark Audio or Cascade PBS?

Hark Audio is rated higher. Hark Audio averages 4.2 out of 5 from 84 ratings, while Cascade PBS averages 3.7 from 32 ratings.

### Do Hark Audio or Cascade PBS have ads?

Hark Audio shows ads; Cascade PBS does not.

### Which is updated more often, Hark Audio or Cascade PBS?

Hark Audio ships an update every 6 weeks, and Cascade PBS every 2 months. Most recently, Hark Audio was updated on November 3, 2026 and Cascade PBS on November 3, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*