WBEZ vs Joe for Chicago
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
WBEZ
Listen to Chicago's NPR news station live or on-demand. Access local and national news, podcasts, and investigative journalism from WBEZ and its partners. Catch up on missed shows with rewind functionality.
- Live radio streaming
- On-demand audio features
- Podcast library
- Rewind live shows
- Curated daily stories
- Investigative journalism
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The WBEZ app lets you listen to the news and voices of Chicago on your schedule, wherever you are. Listen to live radio broadcasts, on-demand audio features and podcasts with the best storytelling locally and around the nation. You’ll enjoy original WBEZ Chicago programming and shows from our partners, including NPR, BBC and more. Take your trusted news on the go. Listen to the news live wherever your day takes you. The WBEZ app delivers Chicago news, national news and international news right to your hand. You never have to miss a minute again. You can rewind at any moment and replay any live show from the last week to catch up on anything you missed. With the WBEZ app, continue to get investigative journalism, cultural reporting, news headlines and more on your timeline. Discover something new. Browse through the best audio stories and shows WBEZ Chicago has to offer. Each day, featured stories are curated just for you from our newsroom. Plus, you can find popular podcasts from WBEZ, NPR and other featured partners; including titles such as Curious City, Nerdette, Motive and Wait Wait...Don’t Tell Me! There’s something for everyone with the WBEZ app. WBEZ Chicago is listener-supported and Chicago’s NPR news station, one of the largest and most respected public media stations in the country.
Joe for Chicago
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Join the Joe for Chicago campaign! This is the official app for Joe Holberg's mayoral campaign, designed to help supporters stay connected, track their impact, and grow the movement. This is the first-ever candidate built app in US history! Key Features: Personal Dashboard Track your volunteer impact with real-time statistics showing your points, badges, and contributions to the campaign. Invite Friends Easily invite friends and family to join the campaign. Earn points when you send invites and bonus points when they join! Phone Banking Sign up for phone banking shifts and track your calls. Every conversation helps build support across Chicago. Canvassing Join door-knocking events and track your progress. Connect directly with Chicago voters in your neighborhood. Earn Badges Unlock achievement badges as you contribute to the campaign. Show off your dedication as a First Supporter, Movement Builder, Champion, and more! Campaign News Stay updated with the latest news, press releases, and campaign announcements. Priorities Learn about Joe Holberg's vision for Chicago including public safety, economic development, and community investment. About Joe Holberg: Joe Holberg is running for Mayor of Chicago with a bold vision to make our city safer, more prosperous, and more equitable for all residents. As an entrepreneur and community leader, Joe brings fresh perspectives and practical solutions to Chicago's challenges. Join Us: Download the app today and become part of the movement to transform Chicago. Together, we can build a stronger future for our city! Visit joeforchicago.com to learn more. Paid for by Joe For Chicago
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Joe for Chicago at every 9 days against WBEZ's every 3 weeks. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
WBEZ ships an update every 3 weeks, Joe for Chicago every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | WBEZ | Joe for Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (656 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 71.3% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 656 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 9 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 31 MB | 107 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Chicago Public Media, Inc. | Joseph Holberg |
Bugs and requests
WBEZ
Reported bugs
4 issues- App crashing on launch
- Streaming issues on poor internet connections
- Push notifications causing app to freeze
- Inconsistent behavior when switching between audio sources
Requested features
5 requests- Improved search and content discovery
- Sleep timer functionality
- Ability to resume playback from where left off
- CarPlay and Bluetooth speaker support
- More granular access to local news
Joe for Chicago
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
WBEZ
No in-app purchases
Joe for Chicago
No in-app purchases
