RiffTrax Sync vs TheArchiveTV
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
RiffTrax Sync
This app synchronizes humorous audio commentaries with movies from various sources. It uses your device's microphone to detect the film and automatically aligns the jokes for a comedic viewing experience. Enjoy blockbusters and B-movies with a fresh, funny twist.
- Automatic audio commentary synchronization
- Movie recognition via device microphone
- Supports various playback sources (streaming, DVD, Blu-ray)
- Downloadable commentary tracks
- Syncs with blockbusters and B-movies
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From the guys who brought you Mystery Science Theater 3000, RiffTrax makes movies FUNNY! Our hilarious commentaries turn some of the biggest blockbusters (and cheesiest B-movies) into comedy hits. “The RiffTrax app syncs everything up perfectly.” - CNET “Rifftrax app takes the guesswork out of syncing jokes to film. It’s easier than ever to sync MST3K-like commentary. The app uses your device’s microphone to listen for a movie and automatically syncs Rifftrax playback to the film. It’s simple and easy...” - Engadget “The app can recognize movies from Netflix, iTunes, Amazon Video, DVDs, Blu-rays, your TV, computer, and other streams.” - High-Def Digest Using the app, you can download these "riffs" on blockbuster films like Twilight, Jurassic Park, Star Wars and more! The app listens to the movie, using your device's microphone, and automatically synchronizes the commentary to play along with perfect timing. Presto! That movie is now a comedy smash. Check here for our list of compatible RiffTrax titles! www.rifftrax.com/appenabled Get into RiffTrax and start watching movies in a whole new way!
TheArchiveTV
Stream a curated collection of rare, retro, and restored films and television shows. Discover forgotten gems, classic series, Oscar-winning documentaries, and a horror library, with many titles available in 4K. Enjoy a diverse selection of content from iconic stars to modern favorites.
- Rare films and TV shows
- Retro and restored content
- Oscar-winning documentaries
- Horror library
- 4K streaming available
- Content from classic and modern stars
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TheArchive channel is dedicated to aficionados and lovers of story, craft, and silver screen fun – streaming rare, retro, and restored films and TV. From indies and series, to Oscar winning docs, unearthed MOWs, and a killer horror library, TheArchive delivers forgotten, never-before-seen gems for free and many in 4K. Monroe, Karloff and Welles stream alongside Witherspoon, Keanu, and Samuel L. Jackson. TheArchive has the movies and shows you saw, should’ve seen, or should be watching now! Our full Terms & Conditions can be found here: https://www.thearchive.tv/terms-of-use Our full Privacy Policy can be found here: https://www.thearchive.tv/privacy-policy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: TheArchiveTV at 90% against RiffTrax Sync's 41%. TheArchiveTV also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.4). RiffTrax Sync's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and in-app purchases 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. RiffTrax Sync sells 18 one-off in-app purchases and TheArchiveTV sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
TheArchiveTV holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 122 and 313 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 41% of RiffTrax Sync's written reviews are positive against 90% of TheArchiveTV's.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | RiffTrax Sync | TheArchiveTV |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.4 (122 ratings) | 4.8 (313 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 41.1% of reviews | 90.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 122 | 313 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 16.2 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 65 MB | 45 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | RiffTrax, LLC | Multicom Entertainment Group |
Customer experience
RiffTrax Sync
TheArchiveTV
Bugs and requests
RiffTrax Sync
Reported bugs
17 issues- Login failed every time
- Sound or sync issues with titles
- Mechanism to match film with riff outdated
- Corrupted riff file
- Cannot log in
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- Does not auto sync
- App stops when phone goes to sleep
- Does not play through Bluetooth speaker
- App crashes after iOS update
- Sync not reliable
- Cannot play paid content without syncing
- Sync doesn't work
- App not working on SE
- Purchased riffs show as not purchased
- Sync misses introduction
- Audio stops during movie
- App doesn't work with VoiceOver
Requested features
12 requests- RiffTrax Friends integration
- Manual sync option
- Bluetooth speaker support
- Apple TV support
- Downloadable content
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- Improved sync accuracy
- Auto-sync after pause
- Support for Friends membership
- Dark mode
- Accessibility improvements for blind users
- Ability to stream content
- RiffTrax Friends app
TheArchiveTV
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
RiffTrax Sync
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Riff$4.99
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone Riff$4.99
- Jurassic Park Riff$4.99
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- Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring Riff$4.99
- The Room (RiffTrax Live Edition) Riff$4.99
- Jaws Riff$4.99
- Twilight Riff$4.99
- Twilight: Eclipse Riff$4.99
- Twilight: New Moon Riff$4.99
- Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace Riff$4.99
- Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope Riff$4.99
- Road House (10th Anniversary Edition) Riff$4.99
- Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens Riff$4.99
- The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 parody Riff$4.99
- Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones Riff$4.99
- Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith Riff$4.99
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Riff$4.99
- Independence Day Riff$4.99
TheArchiveTV
- TheArchive Premium Monthly$4.991 Month
- TheArchive Premium Yearly$35.991 Year
Questions
Is RiffTrax Sync free?
Is TheArchiveTV free?
Which has better reviews, RiffTrax Sync or TheArchiveTV?
Do RiffTrax Sync or TheArchiveTV have ads?
Which is updated more often, RiffTrax Sync or TheArchiveTV?
Other comparisons
