# STARSS vs RiffTrax

The clearest difference is rating: STARSS at 4.7 against RiffTrax's 4.1. STARSS also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 4) and review sentiment (81% vs 68%). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. RiffTrax sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. STARSS asks for nothing beyond the download.

STARSS holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: STARSS has 282 ratings behind it against 31, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 81% of STARSS's written reviews are positive against 68% of RiffTrax's.

STARSS ships an update every 3 months, RiffTrax every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on November 10, 2026 and November 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | STARSS | RiffTrax |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (282 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starss-news-reader/id367300362/reviews)** | [4.1 (31 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rifftrax/id1627102642/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **282** | 31 |
| Positive reviews | **80.5% of reviews** | 68.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 months** | Every 6 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Size | 13 MB | 79 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 16.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Christopher Kriens](https://appshunter.io/developer/367300365) | [RiffTrax, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1339329624) |

## What reviewers say

### STARSS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starss-news-reader/id367300362)

Experience news reading with a futuristic interface. Access your favorite news and blogs through RSS feeds, enhanced with classic design, animations, and sounds. This app offers a unique and engaging way to stay informed.

**Highlights:** Futuristic interface, RSS feed aggregation, Classic design elements, Animations and sounds, Universal App support, Retina Display support

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Smooth and responsive interface
- 🎨 Authentic LCARS design
- 🔊 Immersive sound effects
- 📰 Curated news content
- 🤖 Feels like using a real PADD

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
- 🔇 Lack of volume control for sound effects
- 📱 Limited functionality beyond news reading
- 🔍 Difficulty adding custom RSS feeds
- 🔄 Syncing issues between devices

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes when opening certain articles
- RSS feed list disappearing after updates
- Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
- Slow or failed feed refreshes

**Requested features**

- Expanded LCARS functionality (calendar, calculator, etc.)
- Customizable news categories and sources
- Ability to save/share articles
- Dark mode option
- Support for more platforms (macOS, Android)


### RiffTrax

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rifftrax/id1627102642)

This app provides access to a library of humorous commentary for movies. Users can stream purchased content or subscribe for unlimited access to a curated selection of videos. Features include offline playback and casting to other devices.

**Highlights:** Stream purchased movie commentary, Download videos for offline playback, Subscribe for unlimited streaming access, AirPlay and Chromecast support, Curated content playlists, Friends-only discounts

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Friends (Monthly) | $6.99 | per month |
| Best Friends | $12.99 | per month |
| Friends (annual) | $74.99 | per year |
| Best Friends (annual) | $129.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is STARSS free?

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

### Is RiffTrax free?

RiffTrax is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, STARSS or RiffTrax?

STARSS is rated higher. STARSS averages 4.7 out of 5 from 282 ratings, while RiffTrax averages 4.1 from 31 ratings.

### Do STARSS or RiffTrax have ads?

Neither STARSS nor RiffTrax shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, STARSS or RiffTrax?

STARSS ships an update every 3 months, and RiffTrax every 6 months. Most recently, STARSS was updated on November 10, 2026 and RiffTrax on November 12, 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.*