Comparison

The Strad vs IDAGIO Stream Classical Music

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

Head to head
About

The Strad

Access the world's leading string music magazine, featuring interviews, in-depth articles on instruments, and masterclass sheet music. Explore the latest news, commentary, and analysis for makers, musicians, and teachers.

Highlights
  • Interviews with star string players
  • In-depth articles on instruments
  • Masterclass sheet music section
  • News, comment, and analysis
  • Exclusive videos and audio clips
  • Interactive links
Features
Read full description

The Strad is the most authoritative and influential string music magazine, read by makers, musicians and teachers since 1890. Every month it brings you the latest news, commentary and analysis, in-depth articles, interviews with star string players and retrospectives on great musicians of the past, masterclass sheet music section and much more. It is essential reading for anyone in the string music world. Subscribe today and get: • Interviews with star string players and retrospectives on the great musicians of the past • In-depth articles examining important and unusual instruments by master makers • Reports on the latest advances in science and technology, by leading contemporary luthiers • Trade Secrets contemporary luthiers share their innovative techniques for parts of the making process • In Focus: articles examining important and unusual instruments by master makes of the past • Making Matters: contemporary makers examine themes relevant to instrument and bow making today • Meet your Maker: players and makers give accounts of the commissioning process and its results • Masterclass sheet music section with commentary and annotations by international concert artists • News, comment and analysis from the string music world • Supplements including Cremona 2017, String Courses 2017, Degrees 2018 and Accessories 2017 Subscribe to the digital issue today: - Try before you buy with our FREE 30-DAY TRIAL available exclusively for Apple users.  - Enjoy exclusive VIDEOS, AUDIO CLIPS and INTERACTIVE LINKS.  - Download your issues INSTANTLY  - Exclusive subscriber only SUPPLEMENTS ---------------------------------------------- This is a free app download. Within the app users can purchase the current issue and back issues. Subscriptions are also available within the application. A subscription will start from the latest regular issue at the time of purchase. -The subscription will renew automatically unless cancelled more than 24 hours before the end of the current period. You will be charged for renewal within 24 hours of the end of the current period, for the same duration and at the current subscription rate for the product. -You may turn off the auto-renewal of subscriptions through your Account Settings, however you are not able to cancel the current subscription during its active period. -Payment will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase and any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when a subscription to that publication is purchased. -If a subscription offers a free trial, at the end of the trial period, you will be charged the full price of the subscription. You may cancel a subscription during its free trial period via the subscription settings on your iTunes account. This must be done 24 hours before the end of the subscription period to avoid being charged. Users can register for/ login to a pocketmags account in-app. This will protect their issues in the case of a lost device and allow browsing of purchases on multiple platforms. Existing pocketmags users can retrieve their purchases by logging into their account. We recommend loading the app for the first time in a wi-fi area so that all issue data is retrieved. If your app will not load past the splash page after a first install or an update, please delete and reinstall the app from the App Store Help and frequently asked questions can be accessed in-app and on pocketmags. If you have any problems at all please do not hesitate to contact us: help@pocketmags.com -------------------- You can find our privacy policy here: http://www.pocketmags.com/privacy.aspx You can find our terms and conditions here: http://www.pocketmags.com/terms.aspx

About

IDAGIO Stream Classical Music

Immerse yourself in classical music with a vast library of over 2.5 million tracks. Enjoy high-quality FLAC streaming, expertly curated playlists, and offline listening. Discover iconic composers and hidden gems, and build your personal collection.

Highlights
  • 2.5 million+ classical tracks
  • FLAC streaming (16bit 44.1 kHz)
  • Curated playlists and weekly mixes
  • Powerful search engine
  • Personal music library
  • Offline listening
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Discover the world of classical music with IDAGIO, the ultimate streaming app designed for true classical music lovers. With access to over 2.5 million tracks, you can enjoy iconic composers like Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven, alongside hidden gems across all classical genres. Whether you're in the mood for powerful classical concertos, serene chamber music, or relaxing classical pieces, IDAGIO offers everything you need to immerse yourself in the finest classical works. Experience FLAC streaming (16bit 44.1 kHz) for the highest sound quality, capturing every nuance and emotion in the music. Our curated playlists and weekly mixes, crafted by classical music experts, bring new and timeless pieces directly to your playlist. Use our intuitive search engine to easily explore composers, works, performances, and more, allowing you to find exactly what you're looking for. Create Your Classical Music Collection: Organize your favorites with ease in your personal library. Add albums, artists, works, and playlists to curate your own collection of classical music. Enjoy classical music anytime, even offline. Download your favorite tracks and listen without interruptions. Whether you are new to classical music or a seasoned enthusiast, IDAGIO provides a premium listening experience. Dive into the beauty of classical music with access to millions of tracks, expertly curated playlists, and top-quality sound. Why Choose IDAGIO? Over 2.5 million classical tracks from legendary composers like Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, and more FLAC streaming for exceptional sound quality (16bit 44.1 kHz) Curated playlists and personalized weekly mixes Powerful search engine to explore works, composers, and performances Build a personal library of your favorite albums, artists, and tracks Enjoy music offline with downloadable tracks With IDAGIO, the world of classical music is at your fingertips anytime, anywhere. Terms and Conditions: http://www.idagio.com/terms Privacy Policy: http://www.idagio.com/privacy

Screenshots

The Strad1 screens
IDAGIO Stream Classical Music4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: The Strad at none against IDAGIO Stream Classical Music's shown. The Strad also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.0). IDAGIO Stream Classical Music's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 4.3) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 7 months). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model 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. The Strad sells 24 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per 3 months and IDAGIO Stream Classical Music sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

IDAGIO Stream Classical Music holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: IDAGIO Stream Classical Music has 16K ratings behind it against 38, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 52% of The Strad's written reviews are positive against 77% of IDAGIO Stream Classical Music's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

The Strad ships an update every 7 months, IDAGIO Stream Classical Music every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
The Strad versus IDAGIO Stream Classical Music: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThe StradIDAGIO Stream Classical Music
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (38 ratings)4.8 (16K ratings) — better
Positive reviews52.0% of reviews77.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings3816K — better
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#143 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS13.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size21 MB101 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNewsquest Specialist Media LimitedIDAGIO GmbH

Customer experience

The Strad

All ratings37 ratings
Positive83.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.2%
Written reviews25 reviews
Positive52.0%
Neutral8.0%
Negative40.0%

IDAGIO Stream Classical Music

All ratings15,735 ratings
Positive94.9%
Neutral2.5%
Negative2.6%
Written reviews1,198 reviews
Positive77.2%
Neutral5.8%
Negative16.9%

Bugs and requests

The Strad

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

IDAGIO Stream Classical Music

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Login issues after app updates
  • Playback position lost when interrupted
  • Sonos integration problems
  • Inconsistent audio quality and volume levels

Requested features

6 requests
  • Add album artwork display during playback
  • Implement gapless playback between tracks
  • Allow reordering of playlists and queues
  • Introduce a 'sleep timer' feature
  • Add support for Google Home and Alexa
Show 1 more
  • Provide more detailed liner notes and composer information

In-app purchases

24 purchases

The Strad

Subscriptions2
  • The Strad1 Month trial$14.993 Months
  • The Strad1 Month trial$59.991 Year
One-time22
  • June 2012 (id:736861)$4.99
  • September 2012 (id:736003)$4.99
  • May 2013 and De... (id:738002)$4.99
Show 19 more
  • February 2014 (id:738506)$4.99
  • December 2013 (id:736381)$4.99
  • November 2013 (id:735750)$4.99
  • March 2016 (id:738737)$4.99
  • May 2020 And De... (id:771419)$4.99
  • December 2017 (id:757689)$4.99
  • December 2024 (pp:1024896)$4.99
  • January 2019 an... (id:762634)$4.99
  • April 2016 (id:745918)$4.99
  • July 2017 (id:757679)$4.99
  • November 2017 (id:757687)$4.99
  • February 2019 (id:766008)$4.99
  • September 2020 (id:771411)$4.99
  • October 2018 (id:762640)$4.99
  • July 2024 (pp:1024926)$4.99
  • January 2025 a... (pp:1110854)$5.99
  • The Strad Magazine 2 back issue bundle$7.99
  • Great Instruments (id:810171)$14.99
  • The Strad$179.99
8 purchases

IDAGIO Stream Classical Music

Subscriptions8
  • IDAGIO Standard Legacy14 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • IDAGIO Standard Legacy$9.991 Month
  • IDAGIO Standard Legacy1 Month trial$9.991 Month
Show 5 more
  • Basic Audio14 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Premium Audio14 Days trial$12.991 Month
  • Premium Audio + Video14 Days trial$29.991 Month
  • Premium Audio + Video14 Days trial$114.996 Months
  • Premium Audio + Video14 Days trial$199.991 Year

Questions

Is The Strad free?
The Strad is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is IDAGIO Stream Classical Music free?
IDAGIO Stream Classical Music is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, The Strad or IDAGIO Stream Classical Music?
IDAGIO Stream Classical Music is rated higher. The Strad averages 4.3 out of 5 from 38 ratings, while IDAGIO Stream Classical Music averages 4.8 from 16K ratings.
Do The Strad or IDAGIO Stream Classical Music have ads?
IDAGIO Stream Classical Music shows ads; The Strad does not.
Which is updated more often, The Strad or IDAGIO Stream Classical Music?
The Strad ships an update every 7 months, and IDAGIO Stream Classical Music every 3 weeks. Most recently, The Strad was updated on October 24, 2026 and IDAGIO Stream Classical Music on October 24, 2026.

Other comparisons