# CalMatters vs KALW

The clearest difference is review sentiment: KALW at 78% against CalMatters's 50%. KALW also leads on monetization model (free vs ad-supported) and ratings volume (93 vs 18). CalMatters's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

CalMatters holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: KALW has 93 ratings behind it against 18, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 50% of CalMatters's written reviews are positive against 78% of KALW's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

CalMatters ships an update fortnightly, KALW every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | CalMatters | KALW |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (18 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/calmatters/id6475375084/reviews)** | [4.8 (93 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kalw/id6476590182/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 18 | **93** |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | **78.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#189** | — |
| Size | 53 MB | 47 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 12+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [CalMatters](https://appshunter.io/developer/1724098439) | [KALW Public Media, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1727264524) |

## What reviewers say

### CalMatters

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/calmatters/id6475375084)

**Currently charting:** #189 Top Free · Magazines & Newspapers (US App Store)

Access in-depth, nonpartisan news and analysis focused on California's quality of life issues. Hold leaders accountable with investigative journalism covering the Golden State and its global economic impact.

**Highlights:** In-depth news analysis, Focus on quality of life issues, Investigative journalism, Accountability reporting, Covers California and its economy

**Features:** Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### KALW

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kalw/id6476590182)

Access live radio streams and on-demand content from a public media station. Stay informed with local news, music, and culture shows, and enjoy features like DVR-like controls for live broadcasts. The app also offers podcasts and direct communication with the station.

**Highlights:** Live radio streaming, On-demand listening, Local news and culture, Podcast library, DVR-like controls for live stream, Alarm clock functionality, Direct messaging to station

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is CalMatters free?

CalMatters is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is KALW free?

KALW is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, CalMatters or KALW?

CalMatters is rated higher. CalMatters averages 5.0 out of 5 from 18 ratings, while KALW averages 4.8 from 93 ratings.

### Do CalMatters or KALW have ads?

Neither CalMatters nor KALW shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, CalMatters or KALW?

CalMatters ships an update fortnightly, and KALW every 2 months. Most recently, CalMatters was updated on October 12, 2026 and KALW on October 21, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*