WPBS App vs WQED+
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
WPBS App
Stream your favorite PBS and WPBS programs, including news and documentaries, on your iPhone or iPad. Access live TV schedules, educational resources, and PBS KIDS content. Enjoy DVR-like controls and parental features.
- Watch full episodes of PBS programs
- Explore TV schedules and set reminders
- Watch live PBS KIDS stream
- Access educational resources
- DVR-like controls
- Parental controls
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And as always, we continue to bring you PBS News Hour and Frontline that are made for times such as this, when factual, truthful, and insightful coverage from a trusted media source is of the utmost importance. And it is your support that makes it possible for us to bring them to people all across Eastern Ontario and Northern New York. Get your favorite WPBS and PBS programming streamed right to your iPhone/iPad – whenever and wherever you roam! The WPBS app lets you: - Watch full episodes of your favorite PBS programs, such as Masterpiece, Nature, NOVA, Antiques Roadshow, Great Performances, FRONTLINE, PBS NewsHour and more - Explore full TV schedules for WPBS, Create, WORLD Channel and WPBS PBS KIDS channels; set reminder notifications so you’ll never miss your favorite programs - Watch the WPBS PBS KIDS live stream and access other great PBS KIDS videos and games - Education resources at your fingertips Additional features: - DVR-like controls - Parental controls - Quick access to related social media channels, local events calendars and other news and updates from WPBS Please support what you love — become a member of WPBS today! WPBSTV.org
WQED+
Stream PBS and local programming from Pittsburgh's public television station. Enjoy on-demand access to thousands of shows, curated collections, and live channels. A membership unlocks exclusive content and early access to new episodes.
- On-demand PBS and local programs
- Curated collections and personalized recommendations
- Livestream WQED channels
- Early access to new episodes
- Exclusive member content
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Watch PBS & WQED programs from Pittsburgh's public television station. WQED+ offers all your favorite PBS shows, local stories and livestream WQED channels in an improved streaming experience. If you’re already a WQED Member with access to Passport, simply log in with your existing password and start streaming. You’ll find WQED+ to be faster and smarter, with intelligent navigation, curated collections, and personalized recommendations. ABOUT WQED+ WQED+ is an all-in-one streaming experience. Members who donate at least $5/month or $60/year unlock: - On-demand access to thousands of PBS and local programs - Complete series and special collections like The Rick Sebak Collection and Ken Burns’ The American Revolution - Early access to new episodes and exclusive content Your membership does more than unlock shows — it keeps trusted local storytelling free for everyone. If you prefer to explore the app first, you can watch previews, select recent episodes, and live channels for free. LIVESTREAM WQED CHANNELS* WQED: Core PBS programming WQED Create: Cooking, crafts, and travel WQED World: Nonfiction, news, and documentary The 412: 24/7 Local Pittsburgh content PBS KIDS: 24/7 children's television * Live streaming only available within the Pittsburgh metropolitan area.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: WQED+ at 4.8 against WPBS App's 3.0. WQED+ also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 3 months) and ratings volume (10 vs 2). WPBS App's advantage is monetization model (free vs freemium). On price, review sentiment, ads 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
WQED+ holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: WQED+ has 10 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 43% of WPBS App's written reviews are positive against 50% of WQED+'s.
WPBS App ships an update every 3 months, WQED+ every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 12, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | WPBS App | WQED+ |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.0 (2 ratings) | 4.8 (10 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 42.9% of reviews | 50.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 10 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 6 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 49 MB | 43 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | ST LAWRENCE VALLEY EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION COUNCIL INC | WQED Multimedia |
Customer experience
WPBS App
WQED+
In-app purchases
WPBS App
No in-app purchases
WQED+
No in-app purchases









