HomeWAV vs Toad's Tavern
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
HomeWAV
Connect with incarcerated loved ones through phone calls, video calls, and messaging. Manage funds, schedule visits, and receive notifications when they are available. This app facilitates communication and connection with inmates.
- Create free account
- Add and manage inmate contacts
- Manage funds and payment information
- Initiate phone and video calls
- Send messages to inmates
- Schedule onsite and remote visits
- Receive inmate login notifications
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HomeWAV Mobile App Features: - New to HomeWAV? Create a free account. - Returning visitor? Login with your username and password. - Fully registered and approved visitors will be able to choose the facility and add inmate. - See available funds, add funds or transfer funds. - Add, update or change credit/debit information. - Only pay for the minutes you use. No plans or packages. - Once logged in, the inmate will see you are available and can initiated a phone call, video call or message (*If allowed by facility). - Visitor will receive notification once inmate is logged in. - Easily schedule onsite visits (*If allowed by facility). - No scheduling required for remote video visitations. For best results, a WIFI connection and use of headset are suggested. Note: Not available at all facilities. Phone and video costs will vary.
Toad's Tavern
Discover a highly-rated neighborhood tavern recognized for its exceptional atmosphere and service. This establishment has received numerous accolades, including awards for best bar/lounge and dive bar.
- Award-winning establishment
- Recognized for best bar/lounge
- Awarded best dive bar
- Multiple local accolades
- Strong community reputation
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Neighborhood Tavern on the Eastside of Des Moines one block north of the Fair Grounds. Ranked 2nd in Des Moines Metromix top 50 bars in central Iowa 2012. One of Culture Trip's Top Ten Bars in DSM. Winner of 2019 Metro Best Bar/Lounge, Winner of 2013-2020 and 2022-2023 Cityview's Best Eastside bar and 2014 Best Dive Bar. Runner up for Best Bar 2023 People Choice. Runner up 2015 & 2018 Cityview's Best Overall Bar. Cityview's Bartender Ball's Best Staff, Best Eastside Bartender.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Toad's Tavern at 100% against HomeWAV's 8%. Toad's Tavern also leads on rating (4.5 vs 3.8) and monetization model (ad-supported vs free with in-app purchases). HomeWAV's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 14 months). On price, 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.
Toad's Tavern holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: HomeWAV has 11K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 8% of HomeWAV's written reviews are positive against 100% of Toad's Tavern's.
HomeWAV ships an update every 5 weeks, Toad's Tavern every 14 months. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | HomeWAV | Toad's Tavern |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.8 (11K ratings) | 4.5 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 8.4% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 11K — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks — better | Every 14 months |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Ad-supported — better |
| Best chart rank | #151 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 11.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 94 MB | 33 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | HomeWAV | Toads Tavern LLC |
Customer experience
HomeWAV
Toad's Tavern
Bugs and requests
HomeWAV
Reported bugs
3 issues- App frequently logs users out unexpectedly
- Video calls often freeze or disconnect
- Inability to receive notifications of incoming calls
Requested features
3 requests- Keep users logged in to avoid constant re-logins
- Improve video/audio quality and reliability
- Provide more affordable pricing options
Toad's Tavern
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
HomeWAV
No in-app purchases
Toad's Tavern
No in-app purchases
