Criterion Ticketing vs Broadway Direct
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Criterion Ticketing
Discover and book tickets to a wide range of Broadway and Off-Broadway performances. Access exclusive low-price ticket programs and manage all your bookings in one convenient place.
- Discover theatre performances
- Book Broadway and Off-Broadway tickets
- Access Hiptix low-price tickets
- Manage tickets and account
- Digital Rush access (coming soon)
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Powered by New York’s Roundabout Theatre Company, Criterion Ticketing lets you discover great shows and book tickets to a growing lineup of performances on and Off-Broadway. Key Features: • Access Hiptix, Roundabout’s low-price ticket program for theatregoers ages 18–40. • Browse and purchase tickets to Broadway and off-Broadway shows. • Manage your tickets and account with ease, all in one place. Coming Soon: • Digital Rush access for last-minute deals. • Exclusive offers and promotions. Whether you're a seasoned theatregoer or just discovering the magic of live theatre, Criterion Ticketing is your direct line to unforgettable performances.
Broadway Direct
Discover Broadway shows, purchase tickets directly from the theatre, and plan your visit with insider tips. Stay updated on the latest news and access exclusive digital lotteries for special deals.
- Discover all current Broadway productions
- Buy tickets directly from the theatre
- Plan your theatre visit details
- Stay informed with latest Broadway news
- Get personalized insider recommendations
- Enter digital lotteries for deals
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Broadway tickets, news, and insider access. The ultimate app for Broadway fans! Whether you're planning your first visit or you're a Broadway regular, Broadway Direct is your all-in-one solution for tickets, news, and everything you need to make your experience unforgettable. Key Features: Discover Every Show – Browse all current Broadway productions and find the perfect show for you. Buy Tickets Direct – Secure your seats straight from the theatre and pick exactly where you want to sit. Plan Your Visit – Access all the details you need for a smooth and stress-free theatre experience. Stay Informed – Catch the latest Broadway news, announcements, and updates. Expert Assistance – Get personalized help and recommendations from Broadway insiders. Digital Lotteries – Enter Broadway show lotteries with just one click for a chance to win exclusive deals. Why Choose Broadway Direct? Designed by Broadway experts, this app brings you closer to the magic of the stage. From seamless ticketing to insider tips, Broadway Direct ensures your Broadway journey doesn’t stop when the curtain falls. Download now and take your Broadway experience to the next level! CONNECT: Website: broadwaydirect.com Instagram: instagram.com/broadwaydirect/ TikTok: tiktok.com/@broadwaydirect Facebook: facebook.com/BroadwayDirect X: x.com/BroadwayDirect Contact us: help.broadwaydirect.com
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Criterion Ticketing at 4.9 against Broadway Direct's 4.0. Criterion Ticketing also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). Broadway Direct's advantage is review sentiment (25% vs 0%) and monetization model (ad-supported vs free with in-app purchases). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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.
Criterion Ticketing holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Criterion Ticketing has 198 ratings behind it against 31, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 0% of Criterion Ticketing's written reviews are positive against 25% of Broadway Direct's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Criterion Ticketing ships an update fortnightly, Broadway Direct every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Criterion Ticketing | Broadway Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (198 ratings) — better | 4.0 (31 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | 25.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 198 — better | 31 |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Ad-supported — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 96 MB | 41 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | ROUNDABOUT THEATRE COMPANY, INC. | Broadway Direct |
Customer experience
Criterion Ticketing
Broadway Direct
In-app purchases
Criterion Ticketing
No in-app purchases
Broadway Direct
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Criterion Ticketing free?
Is Broadway Direct free?
Which has better reviews, Criterion Ticketing or Broadway Direct?
Do Criterion Ticketing or Broadway Direct have ads?
Which is updated more often, Criterion Ticketing or Broadway Direct?
Other comparisons
