Comparison

Consumer Reports vs Pottery Barn

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

Head to head
About

Consumer Reports

Access independent product reviews, expert buying guides, and deal alerts to make informed purchasing decisions. Scan products in-store for instant ratings and comparisons, and save your favorites for later.

Highlights
  • Independent product ratings and reviews
  • Expert buying guides
  • Deal and discount discovery
  • Product image scanning
  • Side-by-side product comparisons
  • Save favorite products
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Shop smarter with Consumer Reports by your side. Discover products worth buying, compare your options, find deals, and get trusted answers backed by CR's independent testing, research, and expertise. Whether you're looking for your next car, replacing an appliance, searching for the best products for your home, or just curious about what's worth buying, the Consumer Reports app makes it easier to shop confidently. Discover what's worth buying Explore Product Collections Discover trending products and expert-curated collections designed to help you find your next great buy. Watch the latest from CR Get useful shopping advice and consumer insights right in your feed, with videos covering products, CR testing, important consumer issues, and more. Find deals and ways to save Discover deals and discounts on products worth considering, plus tools like Best Time to Buy that can help you decide when it's worth making a purchase. Research, compare, and shop AskCR Ask questions and get answers backed by Consumer Reports' trusted expertise. Use AskCR to research products and cars, compare your options, narrow down your choices, and find the right product for your needs. Ratings & Reviews Access CR ratings and reviews for thousands of products, cars, and services based on independent testing, research, and consumer surveys. Image Scan Shopping in a store? Scan a barcode or take a photo of a product to quickly find CR ratings and information, compare your options, and make a more informed decision on the spot. Product Comparisons Compare products and cars side by side to see how your options stack up, and find the best choice for you. Buying Guides Get expert guidance on what to consider before you buy, from major appliances and electronics to cars and everyday products. Save Your Favorites Save products and comparisons so you can easily come back to them when you're ready to make a decision. Get even more from Membership Consumer Reports members get full access to features including: • Unlimited AskCR conversations • Ratings and reviews for thousands of products and services • CR Recommended products • Image Scan • Exclusive member deals and discounts • Best Time to Buy • Additional member benefits and exclusive partnerships • Extra savings with Bill Negotiator Not a member yet? Consumer Reports is free to download, with access to select features including Buying Guides, Bill Negotiator, Product Collections, videos, and limited access to AskCR. You can join Consumer Reports directly through the app to unlock the full experience. Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR buys the products it tests and does not accept advertising, helping you make informed decisions with independent insights you can trust. From discovering your next purchase to making the final decision, keep Consumer Reports with you and shop with confidence.

About

Pottery Barn

Discover new arrivals, manage your gift registry, and get personalized design advice. Explore curated rooms, create mood boards, and use 3D planning tools to visualize your dream space. Shop timeless, high-quality home furnishings and decor.

Highlights
  • Shop new arrivals and seasonal inspiration
  • Create and manage gift registries
  • Book design sessions
  • Shop curated rooms
  • Create custom design boards
  • Personalized product recommendations
  • 3D room planning tools
Features
Read full description

Everything you love about shopping with us, all in one convenient place. Here’s what you can do with the Pottery Barn app: • Discover More: Be the first to shop new arrivals and get fresh inspiration each season. • Registry: Create and manage your registry from anywhere. • Expert Design Help: Book in-home, in-store, or virtual design sessions to create your dream space. • Shop by Room: Explore curated rooms and shop the look.  • Design Boards: Save looks you love and create custom mood boards. • Picks Just for You: Get personalized recommendations based on your style. • Design Tools: Use Room Scan and Room Planner to create 3D floor plans with your phone’s camera. About Us: For over 70 years, Pottery Barn has been a destination for uncompromising quality and timeless style. We design our collections in-house, creating foundational pieces and seasonal beauty for a comfortable, well-styled home.

Screenshots

Consumer Reports4 screens
Pottery Barn4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Pottery Barn at none against Consumer Reports's 2. Pottery Barn also leads on review sentiment (40% vs 28%). Consumer Reports's advantage is chart position (#9 vs unranked) and ratings volume (64K vs 21K). On price, rating, update cadence and ads 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. Consumer Reports sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $10.00 per month. Pottery Barn asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Consumer Reports against 4.8 for Pottery Barn. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 64K and 21K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 28% of Consumer Reports's written reviews are positive against 40% of Pottery Barn's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Consumer Reports ships an update every 2 weeks, Pottery Barn every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on November 15, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Consumer Reports versus Pottery Barn: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterConsumer ReportsPottery Barn
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (64K ratings)4.8 (21K ratings) — better
Positive reviews27.6% of reviews40.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings64K — better21K
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
Best chart rank#9 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.1 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size101 MB339 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperConsumer ReportsWilliams-Sonoma, Inc.

Customer experience

Consumer Reports

All ratings63,958 ratings
Positive96.0%
Neutral1.8%
Negative2.1%
Written reviews239 reviews
Positive27.6%
Neutral14.6%
Negative57.7%

Pottery Barn

All ratings20,277 ratings
Positive96.1%
Neutral1.6%
Negative2.3%
Written reviews322 reviews
Positive40.4%
Neutral13.4%
Negative46.3%

User reviews

Consumer Reports

From 64K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Helpful product information
  • 🚀 Convenient mobile access
  • 💡 Unbiased, expert reviews
  • 🤑 Potential savings on purchases

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Buggy app performance
  • 🔍 Limited product coverage
  • 🤔 Outdated or incomplete information
  • 🧭 Poor search and navigation
  • 📱 Subpar iPad experience

Pottery Barn

From 21K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to navigate app
  • 💎 High-quality products
  • 🌟 Excellent customer service
  • 🛒 Convenient online shopping

Room to improve

  • 🐛 App crashes and freezes
  • 🔍 Inaccurate inventory information
  • 💳 High shipping costs
  • 🔒 Login issues and account management problems

Bugs and requests

Consumer Reports

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Frequent crashes and freezes
  • Login issues and lost credentials
  • Inconsistent or missing product data

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to access all website content in the app
  • Improved search functionality with better filtering options
  • Native iPad app with optimized layout
  • Integration with subscription management and account features

Pottery Barn

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App not recognizing login credentials
  • Inconsistent behavior when updating addresses
  • Checkout process issues with Apple Pay
  • Unreliable stock information leading to order cancellations

Requested features

4 requests
  • Integrate rewards program for easier redemption
  • Improve search and filtering functionality
  • Provide more transparent delivery timelines
  • Streamline checkout process and payment options

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Consumer Reports

Subscriptions2
  • CR Monthly Subscription$10.001 Month
  • CR Yearly Subscription$39.001 Year
None

Pottery Barn

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Consumer Reports free?
Consumer Reports is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Pottery Barn free?
Pottery Barn is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Consumer Reports or Pottery Barn?
Pottery Barn is rated higher. Consumer Reports averages 4.8 out of 5 from 64K ratings, while Pottery Barn averages 4.8 from 21K ratings.
Do Consumer Reports or Pottery Barn have ads?
Neither Consumer Reports nor Pottery Barn shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Consumer Reports or Pottery Barn?
Consumer Reports ships an update every 2 weeks, and Pottery Barn every 3 weeks. Most recently, Consumer Reports was updated on November 15, 2026 and Pottery Barn on November 15, 2026.

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