Comparison

ARTE.tv vs ARD Sounds

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

Head to head
About

ARTE.tv

Access a vast library of documentaries, reports, magazine shows, and concerts from ARTE. Stream content on demand, download for offline viewing, and cast to your TV. Enjoy personalized recommendations and continue watching where you left off.

Highlights
  • Documentaries, reports, and concerts
  • Offline viewing with downloads
  • Chromecast and AirPlay support
  • Automatic episode playback
  • Personalized 'MyARTE' space
  • Multi-language support
Features
Read full description

Compatible with AirPlay and Chromecast Documentaries, reportages, magazine shows and concerts, all on the ARTE app. Watch your favourite ARTE shows whenever and wherever you want. A whole world of ARTE in one App New programmes every week: documentaries on social issues and engaging exposés. Reportage, live concerts and more… Find what you want to watch by browsing our categories. Are you a Binge-watcher? With automatic play you don’t need to move. We will automatically play the next episode for you. Sit back and relax. Watch ARTE offline With our download option you can now watch ARTE programmes offline. That means on the plane, on the beach or wherever you like. Download videos by pressing the download button (before you go off grid). Your downloads are stored in your “MyARTE” space for 72 hours and are accessible abroad. Linkup to your TV screen If you have a Chromecast key or Apple TV you can connect the ARTE app to your TV screen. Just click on the ‘Cast’ icon in the video player. MyARTE In your “MyARTE” space you can continue watching videos from where you left off, select your favourites and add content to watch later. Language - Choose your language by clicking on the cog on the bottom-right of the video player. (English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Polish). You can also change languages in the app settings. For optimal performance the ARTE app needs to access to - Calendar in order to add upcoming programmes - Bluetooth for access to Chromecast - Microphone to configure Chromecast Authorisation for access will be asked when you navigate the app. You can refuse access at any time. If you have any comments or suggestions https://www.arte.tv/sites/en/corporate/users-guide/contact/ For legal reasons some of our programmes are only available in France and Germany whereas others are only available in Europe.

About

ARD Sounds

Discover a world of audio content with this free app, offering exclusive podcasts, captivating audio dramas, free audiobooks, and live radio. Enjoy news, sports, and a wide range of genres for entertainment and information on the go.

Highlights
  • Exclusive ARD podcasts
  • Free audiobooks and dramas
  • Live radio streaming
  • News and live sports updates
  • Offline listening
  • Custom playlists and watchlists
  • Cross-device synchronization
Features
Read full description

ARD Sounds. Der Playbutton für deinen Tag. Die kostenlose Podcast App für Deutschland: exklusive ARD Podcasts, spannende Hörspiele, Hörbücher kostenlos, Live-Radio und verlässliche Nachrichten – alles in einer Audio-App. Für unterwegs, zu Hause oder auf Reisen. Hier bist du verbunden mit den Stimmen, die du liebst – aus deiner Region und aus der ganzen ARD-Welt und dem Deutschlandradio. Entdecke eine neue Art des Hörens: emotional, informativ, inspirierend. Ob Krimi für die Autofahrt, True-Crime-Podcast, Fußball-Live-Reportage oder Kinderpodcast zum Einschlafen – die ARD Sounds App bringt dir Audio auf höchstem Niveau, wann und wo du willst. Deine kostenlose Podcast & Radio App • Podcasts auf Deutsch: Politik, Kultur, Wissen, True Crime, Dokus, Comedy, Sport und mehr – alle wichtigen ARD Podcasts in einer App. • Hörbücher & Hörspiele: Fantasy, Klassiker, Romane und Kinderhörspiele – viele Inhalte kannst du kostenlos streamen und zum später Hören merken. • Live Radio: Höre deine Lieblingssender wie NDR 1 Niedersachsen, WDR 2, SWR3, BR-Programme oder Deutschlandradio jederzeit live – Digitalradio in bester Qualität. • Nachrichten & Live-Sport: Von NDR Info über BR24 bis zu großen Sportereignissen – bleib mit aktuellen News, Hintergründen und Reportagen immer auf dem Laufenden. Mehr Komfort beim Podcast Hören • Podcasts offline hören: Lade Folgen herunter und nutze die App als Podcast Player – perfekt für Bahn, Flugzeug oder unterwegs ohne Empfang. • Eigene Playlists & Merkliste: Erstelle persönliche Playlists mit deinen liebsten Podcasts, Hörbüchern und Radiosendungen. • Weiterhören auf allen Geräten: Mit deinem ARD-Konto synchronisierst du Favoriten und Verlauf zwischen Smartphone, Web und anderen Geräten. • Intuitive Bedienung: Finde schnell neue Podcasts kostenlos auf Deutsch – nach Thema, Sender oder Stimmung. Radio & Podcasts in einer App ARD Sounds bündelt das Beste aus Podcast, Hörspiel, Hörbuch und Radio: die Programme von BR, HR, MDR, NDR, RBB, Radio Bremen, SR, SWR, WDR und dem Deutschlandradio in einer modernen Radio App. Für alle, die Audio lieben ARD Sounds ist deine App für Podcasts, Hörbücher, Hörspiele, Live-Radio, Nachrichten und Wissen – mit Tiefe, Herz und Haltung. Für alle, die Qualität schätzen. Für alle, die gern hören. Für alle, die verbunden bleiben wollen – mit den Stimmen, die sie lieben. Jetzt kostenlos herunterladen und eintauchen.

Screenshots

ARTE.tv4 screens
ARD Sounds4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: ARD Sounds at every 3 weeks against ARTE.tv's every 6 weeks. ARTE.tv's advantage is device support (4 vs 2). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for ARTE.tv against 4.6 for ARD Sounds. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 393 and 370 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 61% of ARTE.tv's written reviews are positive against 66% of ARD Sounds's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ARTE.tv ships an update every 6 weeks, ARD Sounds every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
ARTE.tv versus ARD Sounds: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterARTE.tvARD Sounds
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (393 ratings)4.6 (370 ratings) — better
Positive reviews61.4% of reviews65.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings393 — better370
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Vision Pro — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.018.0
Further details — not scored
Size119 MB276 MB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperARTE.TVSudwestrundfunk, Anstalt des offentlichen Rechts

Customer experience

ARTE.tv

All ratings383 ratings
Positive88.8%
Neutral3.1%
Negative8.1%
Written reviews241 reviews
Positive61.4%
Neutral9.1%
Negative29.5%

ARD Sounds

All ratings364 ratings
Positive92.3%
Neutral1.4%
Negative6.3%
Written reviews96 reviews
Positive65.6%
Neutral8.3%
Negative26.0%

In-app purchases

None

ARTE.tv

No in-app purchases

None

ARD Sounds

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ARTE.tv free?
ARTE.tv is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ARD Sounds free?
ARD Sounds is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, ARTE.tv or ARD Sounds?
ARD Sounds is rated higher. ARTE.tv averages 4.5 out of 5 from 393 ratings, while ARD Sounds averages 4.6 from 370 ratings.
Do ARTE.tv or ARD Sounds have ads?
Neither ARTE.tv nor ARD Sounds shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ARTE.tv or ARD Sounds?
ARTE.tv ships an update every 6 weeks, and ARD Sounds every 3 weeks. Most recently, ARTE.tv was updated on November 1, 2026 and ARD Sounds on November 2, 2026.

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