Backbencher vs Mean Pies
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Backbencher
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The Backbencher is the iconic pub and eatery of Wellington. A stalwart of the Thorndon precinct and forever keeping a satirical eye on the neighbouring NZ parliament. We’ve got an offering for any occasion with 20 tap beers, wonderful wines, mouthwatering cocktails, wall-to-wall live sports and an updated menu of pub classics. Our loyalty app enables you to earn and spend membership points for great savings and keep you updated with what's on at The Backbencher.
Mean Pies
Discover and share reviews of pies from local establishments. Find highly-rated pies near you with location-based discovery and rich media sharing. Engage with a community of pie enthusiasts and build your reputation as a pie critic.
- Real-time pie reviews
- Location-based discovery
- Rich media sharing
- Interactive community
- Push notifications
- User profiles
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Mean Pies - Your Ultimate Pie Review Community Discover and share the best (and worst) pies in your area with Mean Pies, the dedicated social platform for pie enthusiasts! Whether you're a casual pie eater or a serious connoisseur, Mean Pies helps you make informed decisions about your next pie purchase. KEY FEATURES: • Real-time Pie Reviews: Share your honest opinions about pies from local bakeries, cafes, and shops • Location-Based Discovery: Find pie reviews near you with our integrated location services • Rich Media Sharing: Upload photos or videos of your pie experiences • Interactive Community: Comment on reviews, engage with other pie lovers • Push Notifications: Stay updated with instant notifications about new reviews and comments • User Profiles: Build your reputation as a trusted pie critic • Moderation System: Ensures high-quality, reliable content WHAT MAKES MEAN PIES SPECIAL: • New Zealand made, owned and operated. • Proper pies that Kiwi's know and love. • Focused solely on pie reviews - no other food noise • Real-time location-based recommendations • Active community of pie enthusiasts • Clean, modern dark-mode interface • Smooth user experience • Regular updates and new features Whether you're hunting for the perfect pie for lunch, or want to warn others about a disappointing pastry experience, Mean Pies is your go-to app for all things pie-related. Join our growing community of pie lovers today and never eat a disappointing pie again! Download Mean Pies now because life is too short to eat a bad pie. Terms of Use (EULA): https://meanpies.co.nz/terms/ Privacy Policy: https://meanpies.co.nz/privacy/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Backbencher at none against Mean Pies's 4. Mean Pies's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs every 4 months). On price, ads, 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. Mean Pies sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Backbencher asks for nothing beyond the download.
Backbencher ships an update every 4 months, Mean Pies every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on September 9, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Backbencher | Mean Pies |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | — | 83.3% of reviews |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 6 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 33 MB | 54 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Leosphere Limited | Matthew Carkeek |
In-app purchases
Backbencher
No in-app purchases
Mean Pies
- Pieness Monthly$3.991 Month
- Pieness Yearly$39.991 Year
- 2,000 Pastry Points$5.99
- 10,000 Pastry Points$9.99
Questions
Is Backbencher free?
Is Mean Pies free?
Do Backbencher or Mean Pies have ads?
Which is updated more often, Backbencher or Mean Pies?
Other comparisons
