KCRW vs KEXP
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
KCRW
Access a curated selection of music, news, and cultural content. Enjoy new livestreams, real-time song information, and exclusive member benefits.
- Curated music and shows
- New livestreams (Dance24, Vintage24)
- Real-time "Now Playing" information
- Member perks
- Redesigned interface
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Your shortcut to the music, shows, and city you love. The KCRW app is your home for in-depth journalism, community storytelling, and free music discovery. Stream live, catch up on shows, and hear real-time Now Playing. New in this version: Explore LA. Discover events, places, and cultural picks curated by KCRW, browse hand-picked collections from local experts, and see what's happening near you on an interactive map. Bookmark your favorites to revisit or share, and keep all your member perks in one place. With livestreams including Dance24 and Vintage24, member perks in your pocket, and now a curated guide to the city, there's more to discover than ever.
KEXP
This app connects you to a global community of music enthusiasts and creators. It broadcasts live radio from Seattle and the Bay Area, featuring diverse music across genres and eras. Discover exclusive in-studio performances through its popular YouTube channel.
- Live radio broadcasts
- International music community
- Exclusive in-studio performances
- Diverse music genres
- Online streaming
- YouTube channel content
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KEXP is an international community of music lovers and music makers, championing music that spans eras, styles and traditions. One of the most influential listener-supported music stations in the world, KEXP radio broadcasts on-air and online from our studios in Seattle and the Bay Area. Each week on KEXP's YouTube channel, millions of viewers worldwide enjoy Live on KEXP sessions featuring exclusive in-studio performances. Listen in and join our community at KEXP.ORG.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: KEXP at 3.9 against KCRW's 2.9. KEXP also leads on review sentiment (42% vs 32%). On price, ratings volume, update cadence 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
KEXP holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 2.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 393 and 263 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 32% of KCRW's written reviews are positive against 42% of KEXP's.
KCRW ships an update monthly, KEXP every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | KCRW | KEXP |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.9 (393 ratings) | 3.9 (263 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 32.4% of reviews | 42.4% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 393 — better | 263 |
| Update frequency | Monthly — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 121 MB | 57 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | KCRW | KEXP |
Customer experience
KCRW
KEXP
Bugs and requests
KCRW
Reported bugs
5 issues- App crashes on launch
- Incompatible with older iOS versions
- Notification badge won't clear
- Streaming cuts out frequently
- Eclectic 24 playlist not updating in real-time
Requested features
5 requests- Resume playback from where left off
- Improved song/artist information display
- Chromecast/AirPlay support
- Ability to save/favorite songs
- Landscape mode support on iPad
KEXP
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
KCRW
No in-app purchases
KEXP
No in-app purchases
