Comparison

Backstory vs TheBeacn

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

Head to head
About

Backstory

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
Read full description

See what's inside! Check out each issue's table of contents at www.backstory.net Get the Backstory on today's most innovative storytellers in the magazine dedicated to covering the art and the business of storytelling. Read a full length script or an in-depth interview with today's hottest storytellers in each issue. (Note: a wifi connection may be necessary in order to watch and read certain pieces) Start by downloading the FREE app. For a limited time you can read issue 01 for FREE. Get a 1-year digital subscription to Backstory for just $24.99! Issues publish every two months (bi-monthly). Backstory Magazine subscriptions available: - 1 year of Backstory Magazine bi-monthly issues (a new issue published every two months) is available for $24.99. -This fee is automatically renewed until canceled. -Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. - Your subscription automatically renews and charges your iTunes account $24.99 unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours prior to the end of the current subscription period. -No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during an active subscription period. -Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. -Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable -You may see Backstory Magazine's Privacy Policy here: http://backstory.net/privacy -You may see Backstory Magazine's Terms of Use here: http://backstory.net/termsofuse

About

TheBeacn

Features
Read full description

TheBeacn (formerly NicheTV) is your window into everything you stream. One app for your whole streaming life: FIND ANYTHING, FAST Search across movies, shows, and people. Smart results show you exactly where every title streams. SEE EVERY WAY TO WATCH Each title shows all your options, ranked by the services you already subscribe to. Included with your subscription, free with ads, or rent and buy with prices shown upfront. One tap opens the right app on the right title. THOUSANDS OF TITLES, READY TO PLAY A deep library of movies and shows plays right inside the app. YOUR LIST, EVERYWHERE Save titles to My List, pick up where you left off, and send your Signal on what you watched. Your account syncs across phone, tablet, and TV. MADE FOR HOW YOU ACTUALLY WATCH Pick a mood and browse what fits. Tonight's Picks blends your favorite genres. Most Beamed shows you what the community is watching right now. NicheTV fans: your app just got a major upgrade. Same login, same home on your device, and now the whole streaming universe comes with it.

Screenshots

Backstory3 screens
TheBeacn3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: TheBeacn at none against Backstory's 10. Backstory's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, device support and iOS requirement 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. Backstory sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $24.99 per year. TheBeacn asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Backstory ships an update every 3 months, TheBeacn every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Backstory versus TheBeacn: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBackstoryTheBeacn
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (7 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews86.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings7 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple TV
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB51 MB
Age rating17+9+
DeveloperUnlikely Films, Inc.Solaos, Inc

Bugs and requests

Backstory

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • 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

3 requests
  • Issue synopses
  • Retina display optimization (addressed in later reviews)
  • Background downloading

TheBeacn

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Backstory

Subscriptions1
  • Annual Subscription$24.991 Year
One-time9
  • Issue 2$4.99
  • Backstory Issue 3$4.99
  • Backstory Issue 4$4.99
Show 6 more
  • Issue 5$4.99
  • Issue 6$4.99
  • Issue 7$4.99
  • Issue 9$4.99
  • Issue 12$4.99
  • Backstory Issue 21$4.99
None

TheBeacn

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Backstory free?
Backstory is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TheBeacn free?
TheBeacn is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Backstory or TheBeacn have ads?
TheBeacn shows ads; Backstory does not.
Which is updated more often, Backstory or TheBeacn?
Backstory ships an update every 3 months, and TheBeacn every 2 months. Most recently, Backstory was updated on October 23, 2026 and TheBeacn on October 25, 2026.

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