SideCast vs Marquee
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SideCast
Enlarge typed messages on your device screen for easy, silent, or distant communication. Simply type your message or use voice-to-text, then rotate your device to display it clearly to others nearby. Ideal for loud environments, private conversations, or when speaking is not an option.
- Create instant signs and billboards
- Enlarge typed messages
- Use text or emojis
- Rotate device to display
- Voice-to-text support
- Silent and private communication
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*** CREATE INSTANT SIGNS AND BILLBOARDS *** With SideCast®, easily enlarge typed messages on your iPhone or iPad screen, making it easy for others to see and read them from a distance. Write your message with text or emojis, then rotate your device to SideCast it to anyone nearby. This is the must-have messaging app for anyone who needs to communicate with someone silently, privately, or from a distance. The clearest messages are seen, not screamed. Save your voice, download SideCast today for free and start communicating more effectively. *** THE MANY USES OF SIDECAST *** The options are limitless. Whether you're trying to get someone's attention, share a funny comment, or just want to say hi, SideCast makes it easy. Simply type or speak a message, then rotate your device onto its side to communicate with anyone nearby. Try it now, FREE! *** REVIEWS *** 5/5 - "I used this app at a VERY crowded bar a few nights ago and while the other people tried shouting over the excessively loud music to order, I used SideCast and got helped by the bartender immediately. GAME CHANGER!" 5/5 - "I see SideCast enhancing the photo bomb in a big way." 5/5 - "The more I use this the more brilliant I realize it really is." 5/5 - "How did no one think of this sooner?" *** SIDECAST USERS ARE CREATIVE *** Thanks to everyone who submitted their favorite ways to use SideCast! Favorites include: • Ordering drinks from a bartender without having to wait • Saying hey to your favorite artist on stage at a concert • Flirting... "Hi there ;)" • Critiquing the skills of a nearby driver • Photobombing! Or, captioning a picture IN the picture • Quietly messaging a co-worker on a conference call... "Lunch in 5?" • Communicating at a loud concert or club • Passing notes in class (no more evidence!) • Getting the check quickly at a restaurant • Communicating with people who have impaired hearing or speaking • Finding your friends in a crowded movie theater or stadium • Telling a presenter how much time they have left • Airport & rideshare pickups • Supporting your child or friend during their sports game from the sidelines • No more unnecessary yelling in loud environments *** SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK *** Please post a review with YOUR favorite way to SideCast, and enjoy! (Note: SideCast supports voice-to-text)
Marquee
Create custom LED banners and marquees with text or emojis. Choose from dynamic, static, or flashlight modes with customizable colors, fonts, and scrolling speeds. Perfect for events, concerts, or as a portable signboard.
- Create LED banners with text and emojis
- Dynamic, static, and flashlight modes
- Customizable text and background colors
- Adjustable text speed and direction
- Multiple font styles and effects
- AirPlay support
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Marquee stands out as a user-friendly tool for crafting LED banners and marquees. It's as simple as inputting emojis or text to create your personalized message. This versatile tool can find a home at concerts, airports, meetings, parties, and more. Highlighted Features: - Choose from 3 modes: dynamic, static, and flashlight. - Supports AirPlay functionality. - Customize text and background colors. - Control text movement direction. - Adjust text brightness to enhance or reduce transparency. - Set the speed of text scrolling. - Explore various color themes. - Access over 20 font styles. - Enjoy blinking and rainbow effects. If you find the app useful, please consider sharing your feedback by leaving a rating or review. Your input is greatly appreciated. Thank you! Unlock the full potential and dive into a world of premium features with our exclusive auto-renewing yearly subscription plan priced at just $19.99 USD/year. For more information about how we handle your data and ensure your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1saGdXhcCVeDttcgslvHNK22m8_rjZO1xbAQLsK3DAE4/edit?usp=sharing By using Marquee, you agree to our Terms of Service: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: SideCast at none against Marquee's shown. SideCast also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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. SideCast sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Marquee sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for SideCast against 4.6 for Marquee. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 209 and 371 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 93% of SideCast's written reviews are positive against 88% of Marquee's.
SideCast ships an update every 3 months, Marquee every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 12, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SideCast | Marquee |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (209 ratings) | 4.6 (371 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 92.8% of reviews — better | 87.6% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 209 | 371 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 16.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 152 MB | 11 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Alerion Media LLC | Edwin Chan |
Customer experience
SideCast
Marquee
User reviews
SideCast
From 209 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Simple and effective communication
- 💡 Useful for various noisy environments
- 🚀 Fast and snappier UX (recent updates)
- 👍 Easy to use and understand
- 💡 Great for communicating when unable to speak
Room to improve
- 🐛 Freezes too often
- 🐛 Does not rotate reliably
- 🐛 Pages run into each other
- 🐛 Timed out forcing upgrade
- 🐛 Not compatible with older iOS versions (historically)
Marquee
From 371 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Great app
- 👍 Works well
- 👍 Simple to use
- 👍 Pleasing interface
- 👍 Useful for various events
Room to improve
- 🐛 Technical issues
- 🐛 Inability to pause
- 💰 Expensive
- 🔧 Needs more features
Bugs and requests
SideCast
Reported bugs
5 issues- Freezes too often
- Side cast does not rotate more often than not
- When it does rotate, the pages run into each other
- Doesn’t work with iOS 16 (prior to recent update)
- Timed out - forced to upgrade (specific instance)
Requested features
2 requests- Allow selection of text and background colors
- Remove time limit (mentioned once)
Marquee
Reported bugs
3 issues- Dynamic mode resets changes
- Unable to enter new lines
- Compatibility issues with older devices
Requested features
3 requests- Add pause functionality
- Improve stability and performance
- Introduce more customization options
In-app purchases
SideCast
- SideCast upgrade2 variants$0.99
Marquee
- Weekly subscription$1.997 Days
- Monthly subscription$3.991 Month
- Yearly subscription3 Days trial$9.991 Year
- Lifetime$19.99









