Comparison

NWPB vs 98.3 The Key

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

Head to head
About

NWPB

Access live radio and TV streams from Northwest Public Broadcasting, including NPR and PBS content. Enjoy on-demand shows, news updates, and DVR-like controls for live audio and video. Share content and set alarms with your favorite station.

Highlights
  • Live radio and TV streaming
  • On-demand shows and clips
  • DVR-like controls for live audio/video
  • Program schedules
  • Local and national news
  • Shareable content
  • Sleep timer and alarm clock
Features
Read full description

The Northwest Public Broadcasting App: The Northwest Public Broadcasting App allows you to enjoy the services of Northwest Public Broadcasting - radio and TV (NPR and PBS). Listen and watch your favorite shows/clips anywhere you want to. You can also pause and rewind live audio, and view radio and TV program schedules! You can explore, watch and listen to On Demand stories whenever you want and share stories with your friends! Live Radio Streaming: • DVR-like controls (pause, rewind, and fast forward). You can pause the live stream to have a conversation and pick up right where you left off! Or rewind to catch a comment you just missed! • Listen to live streams from Northwest Public Broadcasting even while traveling! Start the app and your favorite station starts playing. • Integrated program schedules for Northwest Public Broadcasting streams! • One-click stream switching – flip over to the program you noticed on another stream with a single click. • Listen to Northwest Public Broadcasting in the background while browsing the web or catching up on your emails! Stream Video Content: • Watch your favorite PBS shows using our DVR-like controls (pause, rewind, and fast forward). Catch up on your favorite shows or important news programs you count on every day. • Stream your favorite Northwest Public Broadcasting shows including: Jam with Dan, Access NW, Dr. U and more, all in one place! • Northwest Public Broadcasting members can access their NWPB Passport account, allowing you to watch special curated content! News: • Specially curated local news to make sure you know what's happening throughout your day. News that includes: NPR News, Northwest News Network, PBS Newshour, Earthfix and many other public media news outlets. You can even opt in for TEXT MESSAGE ALERTS for breaking news. • Environmental stories from our friends at EarthFix, covering stories that impact our environment • Curated NPR and PBS Newshour hour to give you a national perspective on issues Additional features • Easily share stories and programs with family and friends via the “Share” button. • A built in Sleep Timer and Alarm Clock allows you to go to sleep and wake up to your favorite station. The Northwest Public Broadcasting app is brought to you by the people at Public Radio and Public Media Apps. We work to provide our valued viewers and listeners with great solutions to find what you want, when you want it, on whatever device you have! Please support Northwest Public Broadcasting by becoming a member today! nwpb.org/support

About

98.3 The Key

Stay updated with local news, weather, and traffic in the Tri-Cities area. Listen live to the station, interact with hosts, and receive instant alerts for breaking news and contests. Save articles for later and share content easily.

Highlights
  • Live radio streaming
  • Local news and weather updates
  • Traffic information
  • Interactive host communication
  • Breaking news alerts
  • Contest participation
  • Article saving for offline viewing
Features
Read full description

Get the latest news and information, weather coverage and traffic updates in the Tri-Cities area with the 98.3 The Key app! Listen to the station live and interact with the hosts – you can direct message and call the show directly from the app. Receive alerts about breaking news, contests, and more before anyone else. Save articles and viral stories for reading later, and share on Facebook and Twitter. Key Features: • Listen to our shows, plus receive weather and traffic updates live from 98.3 The Key Radio • Read the latest news, watch videos, view photo galleries & listen to audio content • Submit Photos/Videos directly from the app • Participate in contests and giveaways, plus get exclusive access to station scavenger hunts • Apple CarPlay lets you to stay focused on the road while listening • Get the latest weather for your area plus a 5-day forecast • Do not disturb modes for alerts (weekend and after hours) • Save articles for reading later (supports offline viewing) • Instant Alerts for breaking news, weather, contests, shows and more • Featured full multi-tasking with background audio and controls • Share the latest news on Facebook & Twitter • Supports AirPlay for wireless streaming to your compatible devices • 3D Touch for iOS Devices This is the latest version of the 98.3 The Key app, and many more features are already planned. Please share your feedback from within the 98.3 The Key app by clicking the “Send App Feedback” link in the menu.

Screenshots

NWPB4 screens
98.3 The Key3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: NWPB at none against 98.3 The Key's shown. NWPB also leads on monetization model (free vs ad-supported) and ratings volume (108 vs 20). 98.3 The Key's advantage is rating (4.5 vs 4.2). On price, update cadence, 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

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

98.3 The Key holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NWPB has 108 ratings behind it against 20, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
NWPB versus 98.3 The Key: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNWPB98.3 The Key
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (108 ratings)4.5 (20 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings108 — better20
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterAd-supported
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size48 MB78 MB
Age rating17+12+
DeveloperWashington State UniversityTownsquare Media, LLC

Customer experience

NWPB

All ratings104 ratings
Positive80.8%
Neutral7.7%
Negative11.5%
Written reviews68 reviews
Positive66.2%
Neutral13.2%
Negative20.6%

98.3 The Key

All ratings20 ratings
Positive90.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative10.0%

Bugs and requests

NWPB

Reported bugs

17 issues
  • Streaming cuts out frequently
  • Sleep timer resets or doesn't change
  • App randomly closes
  • Audio randomly stopping and playing
  • System becomes frozen
Show 12 more
  • Streaming function not working
  • App crashes
  • Cannot find previously listened programs
  • Random volume changes between stories
  • Update fails to connect to network
  • Livestream no longer delivers audio
  • App doesn't respond to iOS control center
  • Native alarm disabled when NWPR is playing
  • No alarm clock feature in newer versions
  • Constantly buffering stream, causing skips and pauses
  • Small buttons and poor menus
  • Display does not dim and lights up room when docked

Requested features

12 requests
  • Fix streaming interruptions
  • Improve sleep timer functionality
  • Allow changing sleep timer without exiting app
  • Make app more intuitive for program scheduling
  • Add offline download/listening feature
Show 7 more
  • Improve compatibility with iOS control center
  • Add dark mode
  • Improve alarm clock functionality
  • Allow background playback for alarm clock
  • Make display completely dark for alarm clock
  • Improve button size and spacing
  • List local news on demand

98.3 The Key

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

NWPB

No in-app purchases

None

98.3 The Key

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is NWPB free?
NWPB is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is 98.3 The Key free?
98.3 The Key is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, NWPB or 98.3 The Key?
98.3 The Key is rated higher. NWPB averages 4.2 out of 5 from 108 ratings, while 98.3 The Key averages 4.5 from 20 ratings.
Do NWPB or 98.3 The Key have ads?
98.3 The Key shows ads; NWPB does not.
Which is updated more often, NWPB or 98.3 The Key?
NWPB ships an update every 3 months, and 98.3 The Key every 3 months. Most recently, NWPB was updated on October 21, 2026 and 98.3 The Key on October 14, 2026.

Other comparisons