# CalMatters vs Election Explorer

The clearest difference is price: CalMatters at Free against Election Explorer's $2.99. CalMatters also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.6). Election Explorer's advantage is chart position (#20 vs #199). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

CalMatters is free to download; Election Explorer costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

CalMatters ships an update every 2 weeks, Election Explorer every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | CalMatters | Election Explorer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $2.99 |
| Rating | **[5.0 (18 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/calmatters/id6475375084/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **18** | — |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | — |
| Best chart rank | #199 | **#20** |
| Size | 53 MB | 14 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, Mac** |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [CalMatters](https://appshunter.io/developer/1724098439) | [Carlton Payne III](https://appshunter.io/developer/923853665) |

## What reviewers say

### CalMatters

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

**Currently charting:** #199 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


### Election Explorer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/election-explorer-2026-map/id6759520295)

**Currently charting:** #20 Top Paid · News (US App Store)

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is CalMatters free?

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

### Is Election Explorer free?

Election Explorer costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Do CalMatters or Election Explorer have ads?

Neither CalMatters nor Election Explorer shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, CalMatters or Election Explorer?

CalMatters ships an update every 2 weeks, and Election Explorer every 3 weeks. Most recently, CalMatters was updated on October 25, 2026 and Election Explorer on October 24, 2026.

### Which is more popular, CalMatters or Election Explorer?

CalMatters currently peaks at #199 in the App Store charts, and Election Explorer at #20. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*