WLS vs Cutting Tool Engineering
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
WLS
Stream your favorite radio station live from anywhere. Access unique content and features directly from the official app. Enjoy uninterrupted listening at work, home, or on the go.
- Live radio streaming
- Exclusive content access
- Listen anywhere
- Instant access to features
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Never be without your favorite radio station. 89 WLS is proud to present our OFFICIAL radio app. Listen to us at work, home or on the road. Install our app and get instant access to our unique content, features and more!
Cutting Tool Engineering
Access the leading magazine for the metalworking industry, covering all aspects of machining processes. Explore cutting and grinding operations, tools, fluids, and machine technologies. Published 12 times a year, it's a key resource for industry decision-makers.
- Metalworking industry coverage
- Machining process insights
- Cutting and grinding operations
- Tooling and fluids
- Machine tool technology
- Digital media presence
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Now the most requested magazine in the metalworking industry, Cutting Tool Engineering offers an editorial package that makes it the must-read magazine for industry decision-makers. Our magazine, which is published 12 times a year by CTE Publications Inc., Arlington Heights, Illinois, is the backbone of CTE's ever-expanding digital media presence—from our website to our YouTube, Vimeo and social media channels. As a multimedia business-to-business publisher, CTE covers all aspects of the machining process, including cutting and grinding operations, cutting/abrasive tools, metalworking fluids, the workpiece and workholders, toolholders, machine tools, software, controllers and more. 1 year subscription (12 issues) for $93.99 or a single issue for $9.99. Subscriptions will start from the most current eCommerce enabled issue going forward for one year from the date of purchase. Your subscription will automatically renew via your iTunes account 24-hours prior to the end of your subscription at the rate of $93.99 for one year. You can turn off the auto-renew feature up to 24-hours before the end of your subscription by going to your Account Settings after purchase. Subscriptions cannot be cancelled during the active subscription period. PRIVACY POLICY -https://www.gtxcel.com/privacy/ TERMS OF SERVICE/ EULA - https://www.gtxcel.com/tos/ This application is powered by GTxcel, a leader in digital publishing technology, provider of hundreds of online digital publications and mobile magazine apps.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Cutting Tool Engineering at 100% against WLS's 12%. Cutting Tool Engineering also leads on rating (5.0 vs 2.2) and ads (none vs shown). WLS's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and ratings volume (15 vs 1). On price 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
Both are free to download. Cutting Tool Engineering sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. WLS asks for nothing beyond the download.
Cutting Tool Engineering holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: WLS has 15 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 12% of WLS's written reviews are positive against 100% of Cutting Tool Engineering's.
WLS ships an update every 4 months, Cutting Tool Engineering every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on August 4, 2026 and June 11, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | WLS | Cutting Tool Engineering |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.2 (15 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 12.2% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 15 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 2 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Ad-supported — better | Subscription |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | 10.2 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 59 MB | 9 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Cumulus Media | CTE PUBLICATIONS, INC |
Customer experience
WLS
Cutting Tool Engineering
Bugs and requests
WLS
Reported bugs
14 issues- App crashes constantly
- Connection drops frequently
- App freezes or won't open
- Audio stream stops intermittently
- Pop-up ads without an exit option
Show 9 moreShow fewer
- App requires frequent reinstallation
- Volume levels are inconsistent
- App doesn't work with VPN
- Cookie consent area is grayed out
- App redirects to other station apps
- App starts playing when closed
- App prevents other app installations
- Network error on launch
- App stops working after updates
Requested features
10 requests- Fix app to work reliably
- Improve connection stability
- Allow background playback
- Remove mandatory registration
- Fix pop-up ads with no exit
Show 5 moreShow fewer
- Add pause/resume functionality
- Add separate volume control
- Support portrait mode
- Improve podcast loading/subscription
- Fix texting integration
Cutting Tool Engineering
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
WLS
No in-app purchases
Cutting Tool Engineering
- Cutting Tool E: 20240305141746$9.99
- Cutting Tool E: 20240305141714$9.99
- Cutting Tool E: 20240305141736$9.99
Show 7 moreShow fewer
- Cutting Tool E: 20240305141835$9.99
- Cutting Tool E: 20240305141755$9.99
- Cutting Tool E: 20240305141805$9.99
- Cutting Tool E: 20240305141825$9.99
- Cutting Tool E: 20240305141846$9.99
- Cutting Tool E: 20240305141725$9.99
- Cutting Tool E: 20240305141815$9.99
Questions
Is WLS free?
Is Cutting Tool Engineering free?
Which has better reviews, WLS or Cutting Tool Engineering?
Do WLS or Cutting Tool Engineering have ads?
Which is updated more often, WLS or Cutting Tool Engineering?
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