Comparison

KCRW vs Rhythmap

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

Head to head
About

KCRW

Access a curated selection of music, news, and cultural content. Enjoy new livestreams, real-time song information, and exclusive member benefits.

Highlights
  • Curated music and shows
  • New livestreams (Dance24, Vintage24)
  • Real-time "Now Playing" information
  • Member perks
  • Redesigned interface
Features
Read full description

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.

About

Rhythmap

Discover live events, concerts, and nightlife happening around you with an interactive map. Buy tickets securely and store them in-app. Creators can manage events and promote them with targeted ads. Local businesses can claim storefronts and connect with the community.

Highlights
  • Interactive event map
  • Seamless in-app ticketing
  • Live feed for updates
  • Event management for creators
  • Targeted flyer advertising
  • Built-in ticket scanner
  • Local business storefronts
Features
Read full description

Rhythmap is the ultimate social ticketing and event discovery platform designed to connect fans, artists, promoters, and local venues in real time. Whether you're looking for an underground DJ set, a local comedy night, or a massive music festival, Rhythmap puts your city’s nightlife directly on the map. FOR FANS: • Interactive Map: Instantly discover live events, concerts, and pop-ups happening around you right now. • Seamless Ticketing: Buy tickets securely in seconds. Your tickets are safely stored right in the app with a fast, scannable QR code. • Live Feed: Follow your favorite artists and local venues to see their latest updates, flyers, and playlist shares. FOR CREATORS & PROMOTERS: • Event Management: Create events, set ticket tiers (VIP, General Admission), and track live sales directly from your dashboard. • Billboard Ads: Use the Creator+ tools to design high-impact flyers and broadcast them across the city using our targeted ad timeslot system. • Built-in Scanner: Use the app to seamlessly scan tickets at the door and track attendance in real time. FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES: • Claim your storefront, host events, and get discovered by thousands of locals looking for the next great night out. • Post updates directly to the community feed and build a loyal following. Stop searching through scattered group chats and outdated social media pages. Everything you need to experience the best of your city's culture is right here. Download Rhythmap today and tap into the rhythm of your city.

Screenshots

KCRW4 screens
Rhythmap4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Rhythmap at 5.0 against KCRW's 2.9. KCRW's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and ratings volume (393 vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

Rhythmap holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: KCRW has 393 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

KCRW ships an update monthly, Rhythmap every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
KCRW versus Rhythmap: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKCRWRhythmap
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.9 (393 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews32.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings393 — better1
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.6
Further details — not scored
Size121 MB151 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperKCRWCesar Portillo

Customer experience

KCRW

All ratings393 ratings
Positive37.7%
Neutral12.7%
Negative49.6%
Written reviews294 reviews
Positive32.3%
Neutral13.9%
Negative53.7%

Rhythmap

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

Rhythmap

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

KCRW

No in-app purchases

None

Rhythmap

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is KCRW free?
KCRW is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Rhythmap free?
Rhythmap is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, KCRW or Rhythmap?
Rhythmap is rated higher. KCRW averages 2.9 out of 5 from 393 ratings, while Rhythmap averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do KCRW or Rhythmap have ads?
Neither KCRW nor Rhythmap shows ads.
Which is updated more often, KCRW or Rhythmap?
KCRW ships an update monthly, and Rhythmap every 2 months. Most recently, KCRW was updated on October 2, 2026 and Rhythmap on September 20, 2026.

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