# Top Tracks vs The Public Variable

The clearest difference is update cadence: The Public Variable at every 2 weeks against Top Tracks's every 6 months. The Public Variable also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 26.0). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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 Top Tracks against 5.0 for The Public Variable. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 2 respectively.

Top Tracks ships an update every 6 months, The Public Variable every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Top Tracks | The Public Variable |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/top-tracks/id1609688319/reviews) | [5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-public-variable/id6741500963/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 2 |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 3 MB | 1.4 GB |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Dim Sum Thinking, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1564647815) | [John Sullivan](https://appshunter.io/developer/1630479388) |

## What reviewers say

### Top Tracks

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/top-tracks/id1609688319)

Transform your Apple Music playlists into personalized Top 40 radio stations. Create custom stations based on charts or playlists, and influence song rotation based on your ratings and preferences. Share your creations with friends.

**Highlights:** Create Top 40 radio stations, Use Apple Music playlists or charts, Customize song rotation, Rate songs to influence playback, Share stations with friends, Automatic chart updates

**In-app purchases:** none


### The Public Variable

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-public-variable/id6741500963)

Experience a unique augmented reality theatre piece exploring perspective and communication. This evolving digital space will eventually host the full production, offering an immersive artistic experience accessible from anywhere.

**Highlights:** Augmented reality theatre, Perspective exploration, Immersive digital space, Evolving content, Accessible anywhere

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Top Tracks free?

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

### Is The Public Variable free?

The Public Variable is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Top Tracks or The Public Variable?

Top Tracks and The Public Variable are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 2 ratings respectively.

### Do Top Tracks or The Public Variable have ads?

Neither Top Tracks nor The Public Variable shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Top Tracks or The Public Variable?

Top Tracks ships an update every 6 months, and The Public Variable every 2 weeks. Most recently, Top Tracks was updated on October 4, 2026 and The Public Variable on October 12, 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.*