# 97.9 The Beat vs Play Ode

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | 97.9 The Beat | Play Ode |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/979-the-beat/id413221573/reviews) | **[4.6 (18 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/play-ode/id1511006042/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 5 | **18** |
| Positive reviews | 58.0% of reviews | **60.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | **Free** |
| Size | 89 MB | 32 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Urban One, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/409075053) | [ODE AUDIO, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1511006041) |

## What reviewers say

### 97.9 The Beat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/979-the-beat/id413221573)

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.

**Highlights:** Live radio streaming, Exclusive content access, On-the-go listening, Unique features

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Play Ode

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/play-ode/id1511006042)

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.

**Highlights:** Music streaming, Radio stations, Popular podcasts, Black Information Network (BIN), Diverse music genres (R&B, Hip Hop, Gospel, Jazz), Community connection

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is 97.9 The Beat free?

97.9 The Beat is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Play Ode free?

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

### Which has better reviews, 97.9 The Beat or Play Ode?

Play Ode is rated higher. 97.9 The Beat averages 4.0 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while Play Ode averages 4.6 from 18 ratings.

### Do 97.9 The Beat or Play Ode have ads?

97.9 The Beat shows ads; Play Ode does not.

### Which is updated more often, 97.9 The Beat or Play Ode?

97.9 The Beat ships an update every 4 months, and Play Ode every 3 weeks. Most recently, 97.9 The Beat was updated on October 16, 2026 and Play Ode on October 21, 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.*