Comparison

Backstory vs Barcade

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

Barcade

Discover the original arcade bar experience. Find locations offering a wide selection of classic video games and pinball machines, paired with American craft beers and a full bar. Enjoy creative pub food in a unique entertainment setting.

Highlights
  • Find arcade bar locations
  • View game and pinball machine selection
  • Explore craft beer and cocktail menus
  • Discover food offerings
  • Locate bars with classic arcade games
Features
Read full description

Barcade® is the originator of the arcade bar concept and the largest operator of arcade bars in the United States. Barcade locations feature 40 to 75 video games and pinball machines mostly from the classic period of the 1980s as well as 25 to 30 American craft beers on draft. In addition to beer, Barcade locations offer a full bar with craft spirits and cocktails and creative variations on classic pub food.

Screenshots

Backstory3 screens
Barcade4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Barcade at 5.0 against Backstory's 4.4. Barcade also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 10). Backstory's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 7 months) and ratings volume (7 vs 1). On price, ads 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. Backstory sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $24.99 per year. Barcade asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Barcade 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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Backstory ships an update every 2 months, Barcade every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Backstory versus Barcade: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBackstoryBarcade
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (7 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews86.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings7 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 7 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better14.0.0
Further details — not scored
Size31 MB22 MB
Age rating17+12+
DeveloperUnlikely Films, Inc.Barcade Holdings, LLC

Customer experience

Backstory

All ratings7 ratings
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%
Written reviews52 reviews
Positive86.5%
Neutral9.6%
Negative3.8%

Barcade

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

Barcade

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

Barcade

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Backstory free?
Backstory is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Barcade free?
Barcade is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Backstory or Barcade?
Barcade is rated higher. Backstory averages 4.4 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while Barcade averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Backstory or Barcade have ads?
Neither Backstory nor Barcade shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Backstory or Barcade?
Backstory ships an update every 2 months, and Barcade every 7 months. Most recently, Backstory was updated on October 15, 2026 and Barcade on October 9, 2026.

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