97.9 The Beat vs Play Ode
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
97.9 The Beat
Stream your favorite hip-hop radio station live from Dallas. Access unique content and features instantly, whether you're at work, home, or on the go. Enjoy uninterrupted listening within the U.S. and Canada.
- Live radio streaming
- Exclusive content access
- On-the-go listening
- Unique features
Read full descriptionHide full description
Never be without your favorite radio station. 97.9 The Beat - Dallas is proud to present our OFFICIAL radio app. 97.9 The DFW's Hip Hop station Listen to us at work, home or on the road. Install our app and get instant access to our unique content, features and more! * Radio streaming only playable in the U.S. & CANADA
Play Ode
Stream music and discover audio content celebrating Black culture. Access radio stations, podcasts, and a diverse music library including R&B, Hip Hop, and Gospel. Connect with a community and find the perfect soundtrack for your life.
- Music streaming
- Radio stations
- Popular podcasts
- Black Information Network (BIN)
- Diverse music genres (R&B, Hip Hop, Gospel, Jazz)
- Community connection
Read full descriptionHide full description
Play Ode is the premiere music streaming app that celebrates and amplifies Black culture featuring radio stations, the Black Information Network (BIN), popular podcasts, and the music of some of the greatest artists ever! Connect with community, and discover new exciting audio content and music that serves as the soundtrack for your life. R&B, Hip Hop, Gospel, Smooth Jazz, Old School or Talk… it’s all easily accessed on the Play Ode app.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Play Ode at 4.6 against 97.9 The Beat's 4.0. Play Ode also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months). On price, review sentiment, in-app purchases and device support 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.
Play Ode holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 18 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 58% of 97.9 The Beat's written reviews are positive against 60% of Play Ode's.
97.9 The Beat ships an update every 4 months, Play Ode every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | 97.9 The Beat | Play Ode |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.0 (5 ratings) | 4.6 (18 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 58.0% of reviews | 60.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 5 | 18 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 89 MB | 32 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Urban One, Inc. | ODE AUDIO, LLC |
Customer experience
97.9 The Beat
Play Ode
In-app purchases
97.9 The Beat
No in-app purchases
Play Ode
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is 97.9 The Beat free?
Is Play Ode free?
Which has better reviews, 97.9 The Beat or Play Ode?
Do 97.9 The Beat or Play Ode have ads?
Which is updated more often, 97.9 The Beat or Play Ode?
Other comparisons
