# FastDemocracy vs CalMatters

The clearest difference is review sentiment: FastDemocracy at 82% against CalMatters's 50%. FastDemocracy also leads on monetization model (free vs ad-supported). CalMatters's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 6 months) and rating (5.0 vs 4.6). On price, ratings volume, ads 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.

CalMatters holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 30 and 18 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 82% of FastDemocracy's written reviews are positive against 50% of CalMatters's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

FastDemocracy ships an update every 6 months, CalMatters every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | FastDemocracy | CalMatters |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (30 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fastdemocracy-bill-tracker/id1540660396/reviews) | **[5.0 (18 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/calmatters/id6475375084/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **30** | 18 |
| Positive reviews | **81.8% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Ad-supported |
| Best chart rank | — | **#198** |
| Size | 36 MB | 53 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | **15.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [FastDemocracy Corp.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1540660398) | [CalMatters](https://appshunter.io/developer/1724098439) |

## What reviewers say

### FastDemocracy

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fastdemocracy-bill-tracker/id1540660396)

Stay informed about legislative and regulatory developments across the US Congress and all 50 states. This app provides real-time alerts, bill tracking, and collaboration tools to help you manage government relations and advocacy efforts efficiently.

**Highlights:** Real-time legislative data, Bill similarity detection, Hearing notifications, Collaboration tools, Regulation tracking, Bill list organization

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### CalMatters

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/calmatters/id6475375084)

**Currently charting:** #198 Top Free · Magazines & Newspapers (US App Store)

Access in-depth, nonpartisan news and analysis focused on California's quality of life issues. Hold leaders accountable with investigative journalism covering the Golden State and its global economic impact.

**Highlights:** In-depth news analysis, Focus on quality of life issues, Investigative journalism, Accountability reporting, Covers California and its economy

**Features:** Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is FastDemocracy free?

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

### Is CalMatters free?

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

### Which has better reviews, FastDemocracy or CalMatters?

CalMatters is rated higher. FastDemocracy averages 4.6 out of 5 from 30 ratings, while CalMatters averages 5.0 from 18 ratings.

### Do FastDemocracy or CalMatters have ads?

Neither FastDemocracy nor CalMatters shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, FastDemocracy or CalMatters?

FastDemocracy ships an update every 6 months, and CalMatters every 2 weeks. Most recently, FastDemocracy was updated on October 29, 2026 and CalMatters on October 27, 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.*