Comparison

Stage 32 vs Squad

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

Head to head
About

Stage 32

This platform connects film, TV, and digital content creators with industry buyers. It offers extensive educational resources and networking opportunities to help aspiring professionals advance their careers in entertainment.

Highlights
  • Connect with content buyers
  • Access film, TV, and digital content education
  • World-class webinars, classes, and labs
  • Networking opportunities with industry professionals
  • Marketplace for talent and material incubation
Features
Read full description

Stage 32 is the largest online platform training film, TV and digital content creators and connecting them with content buyers in entertainment. The platform was launched 10 years ago by CEO Richard “RB” Botto with the goal of leveling the playing field for the entertainment industry by providing its members the opportunity for meaningful connections, world class education, and access to decision makers. The platform now boasts over 1,000,000 creatives and professionals worldwide. Additionally, the Stage 32 education library is the largest of its kind anywhere in the world, with over 2,000 hours of film, television and new media webinars, classes and labs taught by the most respected and revered voices in the industry. Stage 32 works with over 1,000 industry professionals who provide education and development services for the platform. These professionals, which include managers, agents, development executives, producers, financiers, filmmakers and other creative and business professionals recognize Stage 32 as a marketplace that incubates talent and material and pairs content creators with content buyers Stage 32’s partners include some of most prestigious brands in the entertainment business including the Cannes Film Festival Marche du Film, The American Film Market, Variety and many more. They are also partners with a number of film commissions and other entertainment related organizations around the world. Stage 32 has been featured all over the media in Forbes, Variety, CNBC, Entrepreneur, Inc., CNN, TechCo, The Hollywood Reporter, The Wrap, The Business Insider, Deadline and more.

About

Squad

Discover and support Black-owned businesses with this directory app. Connect with like-minded individuals, share reviews, and contribute to a community that fosters Black ambition and entrepreneurship.

Highlights
  • Black-owned business directory
  • Community connection
  • Submit reviews
  • Promote businesses
  • Business owner profile editing
Features
Read full description

The Squad app is a one-stop-shop that aims to bridge the gap between Black business owners and seekers. SQUAD FEATURES EXPLORE A DIRECTORY OF BLACK-OWNED AND -EMPOWERED BUSINESSES When you buy black, you’re not just supporting a business, you’re empowering a community. Business owners can claim or edit their information in the directory. CONNECT WITH LIKE-MINDED SOULS Squad offers a communal space where members enjoy a collaborative, participatory experience that fosters Black ambition. SPREAD THE WORD Members also have the power to inform the Squad experience. By submitting a review or promoting someone else’s, you not only help validate and promote black business, you also build your reputation as a trusted contributor. COMING SOON Submit ideas to help inform the app experience Increased opportunity to network and collaborate Mentorship Small business resources and education

Screenshots

Stage 324 screens
Squad4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Squad at weekly against Stage 32's every 3 weeks. Squad also leads on review sentiment (38% vs 22%). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 3.3 for Stage 32 against 3.3 for Squad. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 16 and 31 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 22% of Stage 32's written reviews are positive against 38% of Squad's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Stage 32 ships an update every 3 weeks, Squad weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Stage 32 versus Squad: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStage 32Squad
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.3 (16 ratings)3.3 (31 ratings)
Positive reviews22.2% of reviews38.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1631 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.115.1
Further details — not scored
Size43 MB123 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperStage 32, LLCSQUADJJ, LLC

Customer experience

Stage 32

All ratings16 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral6.3%
Negative43.8%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive22.2%
Neutral11.1%
Negative66.7%

Squad

All ratings31 ratings
Positive54.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative45.2%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive38.5%
Neutral7.7%
Negative53.8%

In-app purchases

None

Stage 32

No in-app purchases

None

Squad

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Stage 32 free?
Stage 32 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Squad free?
Squad is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Stage 32 or Squad?
Stage 32 and Squad are both rated 3.3 out of 5 on the App Store, from 16 and 31 ratings respectively.
Do Stage 32 or Squad have ads?
Neither Stage 32 nor Squad shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Stage 32 or Squad?
Stage 32 ships an update every 3 weeks, and Squad weekly. Most recently, Stage 32 was updated on October 8, 2026 and Squad on October 4, 2026.

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