# Backstory vs CastPro.Live Actor

The clearest difference is rating: CastPro.Live Actor at 5.0 against Backstory's 4.4. CastPro.Live Actor also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 10) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months). Backstory's advantage is ratings volume (7 vs 1). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Backstory sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $24.99 per year. CastPro.Live Actor asks for nothing beyond the download.

CastPro.Live Actor holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Backstory has 7 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Backstory ships an update every 3 months, CastPro.Live Actor every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Backstory | CastPro.Live Actor |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backstory/id521967972/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/castprolive-actor/id1523801995/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **7** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 86.5% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 26 MB | 44 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Unlikely Films, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/521967975) | [Reena Shah](https://appshunter.io/developer/1523801997) |

## 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


### CastPro.Live Actor

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/castprolive-actor/id1523801995)

This app allows actors to audition remotely by creating a profile with photos, videos, and work links. Directors can then send audition calls, and actors can submit their audition videos from anywhere, saving time and travel costs.

**Highlights:** Create actor profiles, Upload introduction videos, Share work and social media links, Receive audition calls, Submit audition videos remotely, Save on travel and audition expenses

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Backstory free?

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

### Is CastPro.Live Actor free?

CastPro.Live Actor is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Backstory or CastPro.Live Actor?

CastPro.Live Actor is rated higher. Backstory averages 4.4 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while CastPro.Live Actor averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Backstory or CastPro.Live Actor have ads?

Neither Backstory nor CastPro.Live Actor shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Backstory or CastPro.Live Actor?

Backstory ships an update every 3 months, and CastPro.Live Actor every 3 weeks. Most recently, Backstory was updated on October 23, 2026 and CastPro.Live Actor on October 19, 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.*