# KEXP vs The Current Music

The clearest difference is rating: The Current Music at 4.7 against KEXP's 4.0. KEXP's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (42% vs 24%). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

The Current Music holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: KEXP has 272 ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 42% of KEXP's written reviews are positive against 24% of The Current Music's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

KEXP ships an update every 2 months, The Current Music monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | KEXP | The Current Music |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (272 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kexp/id342254135/reviews) | **[4.7 (10 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-current-music/id1334353737/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **272** | 10 |
| Positive reviews | **42.4% of reviews** | 24.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 63 MB | 93 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [KEXP.ORG 90.3FM Seattle](https://appshunter.io/developer/342254138) | [Minnesota Public Radio](https://appshunter.io/developer/291121609) |

## What reviewers say

### KEXP

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kexp/id342254135)

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.

**Highlights:** Live radio broadcasts, International music community, Exclusive in-studio performances, Diverse music genres, Online streaming, YouTube channel content

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### The Current Music

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-current-music/id1334353737)

Stream live radio from an independent public radio station featuring authentic and independent new music. Access additional curated music streams directly within the app.

**Highlights:** Livestream The Current, Additional music streams, Radio Heartland stream, Local Current stream, Rock the Cradle stream

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is KEXP free?

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

### Is The Current Music free?

The Current Music is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, KEXP or The Current Music?

The Current Music is rated higher. KEXP averages 4.0 out of 5 from 272 ratings, while The Current Music averages 4.7 from 10 ratings.

### Do KEXP or The Current Music have ads?

The Current Music shows ads; KEXP does not.

### Which is updated more often, KEXP or The Current Music?

KEXP ships an update every 2 months, and The Current Music monthly. Most recently, KEXP was updated on October 23, 2026 and The Current Music on October 29, 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.*