# tkts vs Spotlighter

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | tkts | Spotlighter |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.1 (130 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tkts/id391589404/reviews) | **[4.6 (22 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spotlighter-audience-reviews/id6480013270/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **130** | 22 |
| Positive reviews | 34.4% of reviews | **71.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 10 MB | 54 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **13.4** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Theatre Development Fund](https://appshunter.io/developer/391589407) | [Etan Cohn](https://appshunter.io/developer/1800200387) |

## What reviewers say

### tkts

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tkts/id391589404)

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.

**Highlights:** Real-time ticket availability, Comprehensive show search, Show descriptions and schedules, Theatre location information, Accessibility details, Links to official show websites

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Real-time discount ticket availability information
- 💰 Helps find affordable Broadway tickets
- 📍 Multiple location access for TKTS booths
- 📱 Free app with useful theatre information
- 🎭 Shows scheduling and theatre details

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🚫 Cannot purchase tickets directly through app
- ⏳ Requires standing in line at physical booths
- 🌍 Limited to USA only (no London support)
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and freezing issues
- ⚠️ Inaccurate or outdated show listings

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- 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


### Spotlighter

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spotlighter-audience-reviews/id6480013270)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is tkts free?

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

### Is Spotlighter free?

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

### Which has better reviews, tkts or Spotlighter?

Spotlighter is rated higher. tkts averages 3.1 out of 5 from 130 ratings, while Spotlighter averages 4.6 from 22 ratings.

### Do tkts or Spotlighter have ads?

Neither tkts nor Spotlighter shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, tkts or Spotlighter?

tkts ships an update every 3 months, and Spotlighter every 3 months. Most recently, tkts was updated on October 23, 2026 and Spotlighter on October 16, 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.*