qsync vs Rave: Rave Alternative
Feature Comparison
| Feature | qsync | Rave |
|---|---|---|
| Playlist queue | Yes | Limited |
| YouTube | Yes | Yes |
| Rumble | Yes | No |
| Kick | Yes | No |
| Real-time chat | Yes | Yes |
| Extension required | No | No (app required) |
| Free | Yes | Freemium |
| Account to watch | No | Yes |
| Still active | Yes | Limited (removed from iOS) |
| Mobile web | Yes | No (app-only) |
A Mobile App That Lost Its Platform
Rave was a mobile-first watch party app. It launched on iOS and Android, focused heavily on YouTube and Netflix integration, and built its entire experience around touch-friendly controls and phone-sized screens. There was no web version. If you didn't have the app, you couldn't join.
Pulled from the App Store
Rave was removed from the iOS App Store in August 2025. The Android version may still be available in some regions, but losing iOS means a huge chunk of potential viewers can't participate. For any group with mixed devices, that's a dealbreaker.
Building on top of an app store means your platform lives or dies by someone else's rules. qsync runs in the browser. It doesn't depend on app store approval or distribution, so there's nothing to get pulled.
Source Support and Queues
Rave focused on YouTube and Netflix, with limited support for other sources and basic queue functionality. Ordering control was minimal. The app prioritized simple mobile interactions over playlist management.
qsync supports YouTube, Rumble, Kick, and Twitch alongside direct video and audio URLs. The playlist queue supports drag-to-reorder, plays through automatically, and persists between sessions. Only the person managing the channel needs an account. Everyone else just opens the link and watches.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the Rave app?
It was pulled from the iOS App Store in August 2025. The Android version might still exist in some regions, but the platform's future looks uncertain with half its user base cut off.
Does qsync require a mobile app?
No app, zero installation. qsync is a web app that runs in your phone's browser. You can add it to your home screen if you want an app-like shortcut, but there's nothing to download.