tkts vs Spotlighter
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
tkts
Discover real-time listings for Broadway and Off-Broadway shows available at discount ticket booths. Explore show details, performance schedules, and theatre locations. Find other performing arts events across New York City.
- Real-time ticket availability
- Comprehensive show search
- Show descriptions and schedules
- Theatre location information
- Accessibility details
- Links to official show websites
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The Official TKTS app is the only way to get fast, accurate, real-time listings of all Broadway and Off Broadway shows available at the world famous TKTS Discount Ticket Booths in New York City. Don’t know which show to see? That’s OK! Use this app to learn about every production listed at TKTS. If you’re looking for a New York City theatre adventure, use our Show Search feature to discover other Broadway, Off Broadway, off-Off Broadway, Dance and Music events happening all over New York. Features: - Real-time display of what is currently on sale at all three TKTS Discount booths. - A comprehensive show search where you'll find what is happening onstage in New York City - including show descriptions, performance schedules, theatre locations, accessibility information and links to official show websites. - TDF Stages - TDF's online theatre magazine featuring articles, videos and podcasts. -TKTS tips to help you plan your visit TKTS offers same-day tickets to Broadway and Off Broadway shows at discounts of up to 50% off full price. The Official TKTS app is directly linked to the display boards at the TKTS Discount Booths, so what you're seeing, in real time, is exactly what the people waiting in line are seeing. The listings are updated in real time so you'll have a completely up-to-date list of available shows right in the palm of your hand. The TKTS Discount Booths have become an international destination for theatre lovers from the United States and around the world since 1973. There are two locations in New York City: (1) Times Square – Broadway and 47th Street, Manhattan - "under the red steps"; (2) Lincoln Center – in the David Rubenstein Atrium at 61 West 62nd Street; The Official TKTS app is offered exclusively by Theatre Development Fund (TDF), the not-for-profit service organization for the performing arts, which operates the TKTS Discount Booths.
Spotlighter
This app is a social network for theater enthusiasts to review and track their experiences. Connect with friends, discover trending shows, and log your favorite plays and musicals with ratings and photos.
- Create and customize user profiles
- Follow friends and view their activity
- Browse popular and anticipated theater productions
- Log shows with ratings, reviews, and photos
- View detailed show information
- Create private lists of shows
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Spotlighter™ is the social network for theater lovers, allowing you to review and keep track of your theater-going experiences. You can also follow along with new trends with your friends! With Spotlighter, the audience takes center stage.™ Create and connect: * Create an account to claim your username! * Edit and customize your profile settings * Follow friends to explore their activity on your feed Explore and expand your interests: * Browse popular, highly rated, and most anticipated professional productions (plays and musicals) * Log shows with date, star-rating, written review, and/or photo * View show info (including creative team, show description, location, runtime, opening/closing date, and Spotlighter AudienceScore™) * Create and view private lists * View the Trending Reviews feed for show suggestions * View the Friend Activity feed for even more show suggestions! * View MaskScott™ content such as weekly quotes More exciting features to come in future updates. We welcome your ideas/suggestions/feedback. Please email us: spotlighter.feedback@9701studios.com
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Spotlighter at 4.6 against tkts's 3.1. Spotlighter also leads on review sentiment (71% vs 34%) and iOS requirement (13.4 vs 16.0). tkts's advantage is ratings volume (130 vs 22). 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Spotlighter holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: tkts has 130 ratings behind it against 22, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 34% of tkts's written reviews are positive against 71% of Spotlighter's.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | tkts | Spotlighter |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.1 (130 ratings) | 4.6 (22 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 34.4% of reviews | 71.4% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 130 — better | 22 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 13.4 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 10 MB | 54 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Theatre Development Fund | Etan Cohn |
Customer experience
tkts
Spotlighter
Bugs and requests
tkts
Reported bugs
12 issues- App crashes immediately upon opening
- Crashes when scrolling or clicking on shows
- Login screen freezes and won't load show listings
- Blank screens with no content displayed
- Won't load past startup screen
Show 7 moreShow fewer
- Filter buttons non-functional
- Data doesn't match physical booth boards
- Shows list fails to update before booth opens
- Crashes when clicking on Times Square location
- Outdated ticket information (showing 2015 dates)
- Server connection errors
- App bounces around and issues inaccurate tickets
Requested features
10 requests- Direct ticket purchasing capability through app
- London TKTS booth support
- Push notifications for rare show availability
- Simple list view instead of graphic-heavy interface
- Filter and sort functionality on main screen
Show 5 moreShow fewer
- Date range search capability
- Mobile ticket display/confirmation
- TDF member integration and account management
- Advance booking options
- Show availability prediction before visiting booth
Spotlighter
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
tkts
No in-app purchases
Spotlighter
No in-app purchases
