Comparison

Stage 32 vs NOVA

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

NOVA

This platform connects creative professionals with clients seeking talent. Artists can build networks, showcase work, and find job opportunities. Clients gain direct access to vetted freelance creative talent.

Highlights
  • Network building for artists
  • Portfolio display for creatives
  • Access to job opportunities
  • Direct client access to talent
  • Application-based community
  • Community guidelines enforcement
Features
Read full description

NOVA is the curated freelancer platform for the next generation of creatives. Our mission is to provide Network, Opportunity, and Visibility to Artists. For creatives, NOVA is a first-of-its-kind multi application platform for artists to build their network, display their work, and easily access job opportunities. For clients, NOVA is the next evolution of creative hiring, providing a direct link to top freelance creative talent. _ At NOVA, our priority is community, which is why we are an application-based platform. Prospective members should download the mobile app here and submit an application. As a creative, we'll ask you to include information like skills and past project work. As a client, we'll ask you to include your company name and job title. Once you've submitted an application, it will be placed into the queue to be reviewed by our board of creatives and internal team. You could receive your acceptance at any time, so keep your push notifications on! Once admitted, creatives and clients will have full-access to the platform. Users must continuously abide by our community guidelines of integrity, professionalism, and privacy. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Stage 324 screens
NOVA4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: NOVA at 4.3 against Stage 32's 3.3. NOVA also leads on ratings volume (1.2K vs 16) and review sentiment (36% vs 22%). Stage 32's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3). On price, update cadence, ads and device support 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. NOVA sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month. Stage 32 asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

NOVA holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NOVA has 1.2K ratings behind it against 16, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 22% of Stage 32's written reviews are positive against 36% of NOVA's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 8, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Stage 32 versus NOVA: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStage 32NOVA
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.3 (16 ratings)4.3 (1.2K ratings) — better
Positive reviews22.2% of reviews36.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings161.2K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#122 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.115.1
Further details — not scored
Size43 MB143 MB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperStage 32, LLCNova Network Inc.

Customer experience

Stage 32

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

NOVA

All ratings1,155 ratings
Positive82.8%
Neutral2.0%
Negative15.2%
Written reviews199 reviews
Positive36.2%
Neutral3.5%
Negative60.3%

Bugs and requests

Stage 32

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

NOVA

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes
  • Freezing
  • Buggy application process

Requested features

4 requests
  • Web Access
  • Saved filter settings
  • Notifications
  • Profile customization

In-app purchases

None

Stage 32

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

NOVA

Subscriptions2
  • Nova Pro (Monthly)7 Days trial$12.991 Month
  • Nova Pro (Yearly)7 Days trial$99.991 Year
One-time1
  • Nova Pro (Day Pass)$3.99

Questions

Is Stage 32 free?
Stage 32 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is NOVA free?
NOVA is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Stage 32 or NOVA?
NOVA is rated higher. Stage 32 averages 3.3 out of 5 from 16 ratings, while NOVA averages 4.3 from 1.2K ratings.
Do Stage 32 or NOVA have ads?
Neither Stage 32 nor NOVA shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Stage 32 or NOVA?
Stage 32 ships an update every 3 weeks, and NOVA every 3 weeks. Most recently, Stage 32 was updated on September 8, 2026 and NOVA on September 22, 2026.

Other comparisons