Comparison

98.1 The River vs EWTN

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

Head to head
About

98.1 The River

Listen to your favorite radio station live and stay connected with their social media. Access more content and updates directly from your mobile device.

Highlights
  • Live radio streaming
  • Social media integration
  • Station updates
  • Mobile access
Read full description

Thank you for installing the official 98.1 The River app on your device! You can also keep up with us on Facebook. For more, visit http://981theriver.com/

About

EWTN

Access live and on-demand Catholic television and radio programming. Explore news, program schedules, and a free audio version of the Gospel of Mark. Offers a premium audio New Testament with celebrity voices and synchronized text.

Highlights
  • Live TV and Radio Streams
  • On-demand TV and Radio Programs
  • Catholic News
  • Program Schedule
  • Free Gospel of Mark Audio
  • Premium Audio New Testament
Read full description

EWTN’s TV and Radio: Live and On Demand • TV and Radio Live Streams • Video on demand (Television Programs) • Audio on demand (Radio Programs) • News • Program schedule FREE: RSV-Bible text with entire Gospel of Mark audio (99 minutes) featuring Blair Underwood as Mark - plus full text of the RSV-CE Bible and access to EWTN Live content. At anytime you can purchase the complete New Testament audio. The EWTN Bible is powered by the Truth & Life Audio Bible a celebrity-voiced "radio drama" of the entire RSV-CE New Testament. More than 70 actors help bring the scriptures to life in this 22-hour audio production, complete with movie-quality sound effects and an original music score. This award-winning audio New Testament is endorsed with an Imprimatur from the Vatican and including a foreword by Pope Benedict XVI. Voiced by internationally-renowned actors including: Neal McDonough, Stacy Keach, Kristen Bell, Sean Astin, Michael York, Blair Underwood,Malcolm McDowell, Brian Cox, Julia Ormond, John Rhys-Davies and many more. 70 actors - 20 audio engineers - 10 studios over 3 continents - more than 100 media development experts - and 10,000 production hours were needed to create this world-class audio New Testament. In addition to this amazing audio, the iPhone/iPad app features: • Complete text of RSV-CE synchronized with audio for the New Testament. • Go directly to any verse and hear and see the Bible instantly. • Use the built in playlist to hear the New Testament in 40 days or in Chronological order. • Create your own playlist of verses. • Remembers where you left off. • Sleep timer • Airplay support • Support for headphone pause and play buttons • Easily fit entire 22 hours of audio on your iPhone/iPad. “The Truth & Life Dramatized audio Bible is entirely faithful to the text of the Holy Scriptures. The manner in which the text is performed, beautifully assists the listener in understanding the meaning of the divinely inspired words within their context. The background music and sound effects helps the listener to imagine the setting of each particular text of the Holy Bible. I am happy to give my wholehearted endorsement to the audio New Testament.” --Cardinal Raymond L. Burke, Perfect of the Apostolic Signature of the Holy See “This is the way Scripture is supposed to sound. Revealing and passionate performances from world class actors, a lyrical translation, and sound effects that put you in the middle of the action. Whether you’ve read the Bible a hundred times or are making the first contact, this is an experience you will not forget and one you will want to repeat often.” --Laura Ingraham, Radio Talk Show Host, New York Times Bestselling Author “We learn by hearing as well as reading. Those who desire to become true disciples of Jesus will want to learn from His words in every way. For anyone interested in beginning or continuing their adventure of faith, I highly recommend this faithful and powerful presentation of the Word of God.” --The Most Reverend Charles Chaput, Archbishop of Philadelphia, PA

Screenshots

98.1 The River4 screens
EWTN4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: EWTN at 91% against 98.1 The River's 0%. EWTN also leads on rating (4.9 vs 2.3) and ratings volume (41K vs 3). 98.1 The River's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 31) and ads (none vs shown). On price and iOS requirement 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. EWTN sells 31 one-off in-app purchases. 98.1 The River asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

EWTN holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 2.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: EWTN has 41K ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of 98.1 The River's written reviews are positive against 91% of EWTN's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

98.1 The River ships an update every 4 months, EWTN every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
98.1 The River versus EWTN: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter98.1 The RiverEWTN
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.3 (3 ratings)4.9 (41K ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews90.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings341K — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 4 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple TV — better
Requires iOS13.0 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB73 MB
Age rating9+4+
DeveloperSaga CommunicationsEWTN Religious Catalogue

Customer experience

98.1 The River

All ratings3 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral33.3%
Negative66.7%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

EWTN

All ratings34,690 ratings
Positive97.9%
Neutral1.0%
Negative1.1%
Written reviews237 reviews
Positive90.7%
Neutral2.1%
Negative7.2%

Bugs and requests

98.1 The River

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

EWTN

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Inability to access certain American channels
  • Inconsistent performance on older devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Improved Chromecast support
  • More personalization options
  • Better organization of on-demand content
  • Easier access to program schedules

In-app purchases

None

98.1 The River

No in-app purchases

31 purchases

EWTN

One-time31
  • CHAPLET OF ST. MICHAEL$0.99
  • Padre Pio: He Bore Christ’S Wo$0.99
  • A Wolf In Sheep’S Clothing$1.99
Show 28 more
  • Called And Chosen$1.99
  • Saint Bridget Of Sweden$1.99
  • Hope - Our Lady Of Knock (rent)$1.99
  • MIRACLES OF PADRE PIO (rent)$1.99
  • GUADALUPE MYSTERIES (rent)$1.99
  • MOTHER CABRINI (rent)$1.99
  • THE HIDDEN SHRINE (rent)$1.99
  • GREGORIAN MUSIC OF ANGELS(rent$1.99
  • Tolkien - An Unexpected Friend$1.99
  • SAINT ROSE OF LIMA (rent)$1.99
  • Saint Martin De Porres$1.99
  • Kateri$1.99
  • Cabrini And The Heart Of Jesus$1.99
  • I AM W/ YOU-CARLO ACUTIS(rent)$1.99
  • The Message Of Fatima$2.99
  • Chaplet Of Divine Mercy$2.99
  • Saints Vs. Scoundrels$2.99
  • The Heresies (rent)$2.99
  • They Might Be Saints (rent)$2.99
  • The Case For Marriage$2.99
  • EXPLORE W MIRACLE HUNTER(rent)$2.99
  • Straubinger New Testament Audio$4.99
  • A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing$9.99
  • THE HOLY ROSARY WITH MOTHER ANGELICA (buy)$9.99
  • Chaplet Of Divine Mercy$14.99
  • The “Reformation” - buy$14.99
  • Liturgy Of The Hours For Lay P$14.99
  • New Testament Audio Package$19.99

Questions

Is 98.1 The River free?
98.1 The River is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is EWTN free?
EWTN is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, 98.1 The River or EWTN?
EWTN is rated higher. 98.1 The River averages 2.3 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while EWTN averages 4.9 from 41K ratings.
Do 98.1 The River or EWTN have ads?
EWTN shows ads; 98.1 The River does not.
Which is updated more often, 98.1 The River or EWTN?
98.1 The River ships an update every 4 months, and EWTN every 4 weeks. Most recently, 98.1 The River was updated on October 24, 2026 and EWTN on October 26, 2026.

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