# BLE The Black Effect vs BLKbook

The clearest difference is ads: BLKbook at none against BLE The Black Effect's shown. BLKbook also leads on monetization model (free vs ad-supported). BLE The Black Effect's advantage is update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 28 months). On price, rating, ratings volume 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.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for BLE The Black Effect against 5.0 for BLKbook. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 4 respectively.

BLE The Black Effect ships an update every 5 weeks, BLKbook every 28 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | BLE The Black Effect | BLKbook |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ble-the-black-effect/id1583256781/reviews) | [5.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blkbook/id1623393011/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 4 | 4 |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 weeks** | Every 28 months |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | **Free** |
| Size | 59 MB | 17 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13 | **12.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Jasmine Fierst](https://appshunter.io/developer/1583256783) | [Juwan Outlaw](https://appshunter.io/developer/1624229744) |

## What reviewers say

### BLE The Black Effect

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ble-the-black-effect/id1583256781)

Discover and support local Black-owned businesses with this app. Browse listings, save favorites, and view business details. Business owners can also submit their listings to connect with new customers.

**Highlights:** Discover local Black-owned businesses, Save favorite businesses, View business details and specials, Submit business listings, Community-driven directory, Support local entrepreneurs

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### BLKbook

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blkbook/id1623393011)

Discover and support Black-owned businesses with this comprehensive directory. Find local and national brands, from restaurants to service providers, by category, location, or keyword. Empower conscious spending and economic growth within the Black community.

**Highlights:** Discover Black-owned businesses, Browse by category, location, keyword, Support local and national brands, Find restaurants, boutiques, service providers, Empower Black entrepreneurship

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is BLE The Black Effect free?

BLE The Black Effect is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is BLKbook free?

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

### Which has better reviews, BLE The Black Effect or BLKbook?

BLE The Black Effect and BLKbook are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 4 and 4 ratings respectively.

### Do BLE The Black Effect or BLKbook have ads?

BLE The Black Effect shows ads; BLKbook does not.

### Which is updated more often, BLE The Black Effect or BLKbook?

BLE The Black Effect ships an update every 5 weeks, and BLKbook every 28 months. Most recently, BLE The Black Effect was updated on October 24, 2026 and BLKbook on October 21, 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.*