# KALW vs SFGATE

The clearest difference is update cadence: SFGATE at weekly against KALW's every 2 months. SFGATE also leads on chart position (#103 vs unranked). KALW's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 4.6). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

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

KALW holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 91 and 124 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 78% of KALW's written reviews are positive against 81% of SFGATE's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

KALW ships an update every 2 months, SFGATE weekly. Both last shipped on October 16, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | KALW | SFGATE |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (91 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kalw/id6476590182/reviews)** | [4.6 (124 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sfgate/id6762748205/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 91 | **124** |
| Positive reviews | 78.3% of reviews | **81.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | — | **#103** |
| Size | 47 MB | 38 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [KALW Public Media, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1727264524) | [Hearst Newspapers](https://appshunter.io/developer/397018366) |

## What reviewers say

### 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


### SFGATE

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sfgate/id6762748205)

**Currently charting:** #103 Top Free · Magazines & Newspapers (US App Store)

Access in-depth Bay Area news and culture with an ad-free reading experience. Unlock exclusive content and connect with the places that matter most to you.

**Highlights:** Ad-free reading experience, In-depth news coverage, Bay Area culture insights, Exclusive content for members, Connect with local places

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is KALW free?

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

### Is SFGATE free?

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

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

KALW is rated higher. KALW averages 4.8 out of 5 from 91 ratings, while SFGATE averages 4.6 from 124 ratings.

### Do KALW or SFGATE have ads?

Neither KALW nor SFGATE shows ads.

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

KALW ships an update every 2 months, and SFGATE weekly. Most recently, KALW was updated on October 16, 2026 and SFGATE on October 16, 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.*