# Backpack Live vs Riverside

The clearest difference is rating: Riverside at 4.7 against Backpack Live's 3.0. Riverside also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 55 months) and ratings volume (20K vs 1). Backpack Live's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 9). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Riverside sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Backpack Live asks for nothing beyond the download.

Riverside holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Riverside has 20K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Backpack Live ships an update every 55 months, Riverside every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Backpack Live | Riverside |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backpack-live/id1551059183/reviews) | **[4.7 (20K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/riverside-record-edit-share/id1554443872/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **20K** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 55 months | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#169** |
| Size | 47 MB | 217 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.6** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | +4 | 4+ |
| Developer | [Ed Filowat](https://appshunter.io/developer/657780411) | [RIVERSIDEFM, INC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1554443874) |

## What reviewers say

### Backpack Live

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backpack-live/id1551059183)

This app enables users to participate in virtual podcasting and live radio streams. Connect with hosts using a room code and record in studio quality directly from your device.

**Highlights:** Co-host podcasts, Guest on live radio, Virtual studio recording, Studio quality audio, Join via room code

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Riverside

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/riverside-record-edit-share/id1554443872)

**Currently charting:** #169 Top Free · Photo & Video (US App Store)

Record and edit high-quality video and audio podcasts and social media clips from anywhere. Features AI-powered transcription, text-based editing, and teleprompter for professional content creation on the go.

**Highlights:** PRO quality HD audio and video recording, AI-powered transcription and speech-to-text, Text-based video and audio editing, Teleprompter with customizable settings, Automatic captions and subtitles, Create and share short clips for social media, Multi-cam recording

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Mobile Plus | $9.99 | per month |
| RS Mobile Plus - monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| RS Mobile Plus - monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Pro | $29.00 | per month |
| Grow | $39.00 | per month |
| RS Mobile Plus - yearly | $64.99 | per year |
| Mobile Plus | $72.00 | per year |
| Pro | $289.00 | per year |
| Grow | $409.00 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 High-quality audio and video
- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Convenient for remote recording
- 👍 Great platform for podcasters

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Sync issues between audio and video
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🔋 Drains battery on mobile devices
- 👎 Poor customer support
- 👎 Confusing user experience on mobile app

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to access recordings through mobile app
- Inconsistent performance across devices
- Unreliable upload and download of files

**Requested features**

- Screen sharing option
- Ability to edit recordings on mobile app
- Integration with more platforms like Zoom


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Backpack Live free?

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

### Is Riverside free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Backpack Live or Riverside?

Riverside is rated higher. Backpack Live averages 3.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Riverside averages 4.7 from 20K ratings.

### Do Backpack Live or Riverside have ads?

Neither Backpack Live nor Riverside shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Backpack Live or Riverside?

Backpack Live ships an update every 55 months, and Riverside every 5 days. Most recently, Backpack Live was updated on October 7, 2026 and Riverside on October 15, 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.*