# Backstory vs VidaFair

The clearest difference is rating: VidaFair at 5.0 against Backstory's 4.4. VidaFair also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months) and review sentiment (100% vs 87%). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Backstory sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $24.99 per year and VidaFair sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

VidaFair holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 21 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 87% of Backstory's written reviews are positive against 100% of VidaFair's.

Backstory ships an update every 3 months, VidaFair fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Backstory | VidaFair |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backstory/id521967972/reviews) | **[5.0 (21 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vidafair/id1499832244/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 7 | **21** |
| Positive reviews | 86.5% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 26 MB | 49 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Unlikely Films, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/521967975) | [VidaFair](https://appshunter.io/developer/1499832243) |

## What reviewers say

### Backstory

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backstory/id521967972)

Explore the art and business of storytelling with in-depth interviews and full-length scripts. Discover innovative storytellers and gain insights into their creative processes. Access exclusive content through a digital subscription.

**Highlights:** In-depth interviews with storytellers, Full-length scripts, Coverage of storytelling art and business, Digital subscription, Bi-monthly issues

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Annual Subscription | $24.99 | per year |
| Issue 2 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Backstory Issue 3 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Backstory Issue 4 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Issue 5 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Issue 6 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Issue 7 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Issue 9 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Issue 12 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Backstory Issue 21 | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 In-depth interviews with creatives
- 💡 Access to scripts is invaluable
- 👍 Great resource for filmmakers/writers
- 👍 High-quality content and journalism
- 👍 Well-written and informative articles

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Download issues and server problems
- 🐛 Slow download speeds
- 🐛 Pixelated text on non-Retina displays
- 🐛 Large file sizes
- 🐛 Lack of background downloading

**Reported bugs**

- Download stalls and server connection errors
- App cannot connect to server
- Text pixelated on non-Retina displays
- Issues with Retina display support (older reviews)
- Large file sizes impacting storage

**Requested features**

- Issue synopses
- Retina display optimization (addressed in later reviews)
- Background downloading


### VidaFair

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vidafair/id1499832244)

Support independent creators through micropayments instead of subscriptions. This platform offers a pay-per-view model for a curated selection of films. Easily cast your favorite movies to your TV using AirPlay or ChromeCast.

**Highlights:** Micropayment support for creators, Pay-per-view film platform, Ad-free viewing experience, Cast to TV with AirPlay/ChromeCast, Growing library of films

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 75 Grains | $0.99 | one-time |
| 151 Grains | $1.99 | one-time |
| 227 Grains | $2.99 | one-time |
| 304 Grains | $3.99 | one-time |
| 500 Grains | $5.99 | one-time |
| 1000 Grains | $10.99 | one-time |
| 2000 Grains | $19.99 | one-time |
| 10000 Grains | $98.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Backstory free?

Backstory is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is VidaFair free?

VidaFair is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Backstory or VidaFair?

VidaFair is rated higher. Backstory averages 4.4 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while VidaFair averages 5.0 from 21 ratings.

### Do Backstory or VidaFair have ads?

Neither Backstory nor VidaFair shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Backstory or VidaFair?

Backstory ships an update every 3 months, and VidaFair fortnightly. Most recently, Backstory was updated on November 1, 2026 and VidaFair on October 12, 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.*