The Strad vs STAGE+ Classical Music Live
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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
STAGE+ Classical Music Live
Stream live 4K classical concerts, opera, and jazz performances. Access a vast library of audio albums and video releases, with new content added weekly. Enjoy offline playback and high-fidelity audio formats on all your devices.
- Live 4K concert streams
- Extensive library of classical concerts and operas
- Thousands of curated audio albums
- Weekly new video and audio releases
- Streaming in 4K, Dolby Atmos, and Lossless
- Offline playback and viewing
- CarPlay and SharePlay integration
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Immerse yourself in the world of classical music with STAGE+, the ultimate streaming experience from Deutsche Grammophon. Experience your favorite artists closer than ever before—live, in 4K, and with outstanding Dolby Atmos sound. STAGE+ is more than just a streaming app; it's your personal VIP access to the most prestigious concert halls and opera houses in the world. Whether it's symphonies, operas, piano recitals, or exclusive documentaries, we bring the magic of classical music directly to your device. WHAT'S ON STAGE+ • Over 50 exclusive live streams per year from global cultural hotspots. • A vast archive with thousands of video concerts and opera productions. • Access to the entire catalog of Deutsche Grammophon, Decca, ECM, and Hyperion. • Weekly new releases of audio and video content. • Exclusive insights: interviews, documentaries, and behind-the-scenes footage. STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY We know classical music fans don't compromise. That's why we offer: • 4K Video Quality: Crystal-clear images for an immersive experience. • Hi-Res & Lossless Audio: Hear every detail in lossless quality. • Dolby Atmos: Three-dimensional sound that puts you right in the middle of the action. • Offline Mode: Download content to enjoy on a plane, train, or on vacation without an internet connection. SPECIALIZED SEARCH & METADATA Forget chaotic search results. Our database is specifically optimized for classical music. Filter precisely by: • Composer (from Bach to Glass) • Work & Opus • Conductor & Orchestra • Soloist & Instrument • Era & Genre WHY STAGE+? Our curators put together new recommendations for you every week, so you're always discovering new gems. Whether you're a long-time connoisseur or a curious newcomer, STAGE+ provides the context and quality you deserve. SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS Try STAGE+ now for 30 days free! After the trial period, enjoy monthly or yearly flexibility. The subscription renews automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Bring the stage into your life—with STAGE+ Classical Music Live. Supported formats: 4K, Dolby Atmos, Lossless Audio, Hi-Res. Available on: iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Mac. Terms & Conditions: https://www.stage-plus.tv/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.stage-plus.tv/security-and-privacy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: STAGE+ Classical Music Live at monthly against The Strad's every 7 months. STAGE+ Classical Music Live also leads on rating (4.6 vs 4.3) and ratings volume (310 vs 37). The Strad's advantage is review sentiment (52% vs 43%) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. The Strad sells 24 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per 3 months and STAGE+ Classical Music Live sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
STAGE+ Classical Music Live holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: STAGE+ Classical Music Live has 310 ratings behind it against 37, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 52% of The Strad's written reviews are positive against 43% of STAGE+ Classical Music Live's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
The Strad ships an update every 7 months, STAGE+ Classical Music Live monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | The Strad | STAGE+ Classical Music Live |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.3 (37 ratings) | 4.6 (310 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 52.0% of reviews — better | 42.6% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 37 | 310 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Vision Pro — better |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 21 MB | 199 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Newsquest Specialist Media Limited | Deutsche Grammophon – DG |
Customer experience
The Strad
STAGE+ Classical Music Live
Bugs and requests
The Strad
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
STAGE+ Classical Music Live
Reported bugs
7 issues- Downloading content disappears
- Downloaded content disappears
- Audio stutters in videos
- App crashes on launch
- App doesn't work on Apple TV
Show 2 moreShow fewer
- Search function is unusable
- Issues with account creation
Requested features
10 requests- Add Korean language support
- Add calendar integration for concerts
- Add subtitles for operas
- Add more offline listening options
- Add Chromecast support
Show 5 moreShow fewer
- Add Roku app
- Add CarPlay support
- Add more audio recordings and full artist catalogs
- Add video playlists based on themes or moods
- Add digital liner notes for audio albums and digital programs for videos
In-app purchases
The Strad
- The Strad1 Month trial$14.993 Months
- The Strad1 Month trial$59.991 Year
- June 2012 (id:736861)$4.99
- September 2012 (id:736003)$4.99
- May 2013 and De... (id:738002)$4.99
Show 19 moreShow fewer
- 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
STAGE+ Classical Music Live
- Monthly subscription1 Month trial$14.991 Month
- Annual subscription1 Month trial$149.991 Year
Questions
Is The Strad free?
Is STAGE+ Classical Music Live free?
Which has better reviews, The Strad or STAGE+ Classical Music Live?
Do The Strad or STAGE+ Classical Music Live have ads?
Which is updated more often, The Strad or STAGE+ Classical Music Live?
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