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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
User consensusAlternativesIs it worth it?
Is it worth paying for

nugs

75
Value score / 100 Worth paying? Depends It depends

Nugs is worth it for dedicated live music fans, especially those into jam bands, despite its high price and recurring technical issues.

Free + in-app purchases seen up to $249.99 4.8★ lifetime (53,752) since 2015

Nugs is highly valued by live music enthusiasts for its extensive catalog of soundboard recordings and livestreams, particularly for jam bands R2R3R23R61. However, many users express frustration with its high subscription costs, additional paywalls for video content and specific shows, and persistent app stability issues across various devices R77R176R190. The app's lifetime rating remains high, but recent reviews highlight significant problems with functionality and pricing.

Free vs paid

The reviews indicate that without a subscription, the app is limited R269. A paid subscription provides access to a vast library of live music, including soundboards and livestreams R3R23R44R65. However, even with a subscription, users often face additional paywalls for video content or specific premium livestreams, which many find unacceptable given the monthly fees R77R176R190R191. Some users also report issues with downloading purchased shows without an active subscription R152R269.

Value complaints

  • The monthly subscription is considered expensive, especially when compared to other streaming services that offer video.R77R238
  • Users are frequently forced to pay extra for video content or specific premium livestreams, even with an 'all access' subscription, leading to feelings of being scammed.R77R176R190R191
  • The app's pricing structure has been criticized for being misleading, with instances of bait-and-switch tactics regarding free trials and unexpected charges.R153
  • Some users feel the service has become greedy, raising prices and moving away from the community-sharing aspect of live music.R119R144
  • Purchased shows may become unavailable or difficult to download without a subscription, making one-time purchases less valuable.R152R213R269
  • The catalog is perceived as limited for the price, with a lack of variety beyond certain bands and older content.R18R101R170R184

Where it delivers

  • The app provides an extensive and valuable catalog of live music, especially for jam bands, allowing users to listen to shows they attended or couldn't see.R2R3R23R49
  • Users appreciate the high sound and video quality when the app functions correctly.R32R36R43R55
  • Livestreams are a significant draw and are considered worth the investment for many users.R44R61
  • The app is seen as essential for live music fans, providing a unique platform for accessing concert recordings.R62R64R65
Worth paying if

It's worth paying for if you are a dedicated live music fan, especially of jam bands, and value high-quality soundboard recordings and access to livestreams R2R3R23R61. It's also suitable for those who want to relive past concert experiences or discover new live music from their favorite artists R23R49.

Skip / stay free if

You should skip paying if you are on a tight budget, as many find the service overpriced, especially with additional paywalls R77R238. Also skip if you expect seamless functionality across all devices, as there are frequent complaints about app crashes, login issues, and poor performance on Apple TV, CarPlay, and other devices R17R18R22R109.

Evidence note: The reviews show a strong dichotomy. Many older and some recent reviews praise the content and concept, leading to the high lifetime rating. However, a significant number of recent negative reviews focus on monetization practices (paywalls, price increases), technical issues (crashes, login problems, poor device compatibility), and persistent review prompts, which are not reflected in the overall high rating.

Frequently asked

Is Nugs worth the subscription price?
Nugs is considered worth the subscription price by many users for its extensive live music catalog and sound quality, especially for jam band fans, with some stating it's the 'best idea ever' and 'so worth the subscription price' R3R23R47.
Why do people complain about Nugs' pricing?
People complain about Nugs' pricing because the monthly fee, which can be around $14.99, is seen as high, and users often face additional paywalls for video content or specific livestreams even with a subscription R77R176R190R191.
Does Nugs have technical issues?
Yes, Nugs has recurring technical issues including frequent app crashes, playback interruptions, login problems, and poor functionality on devices like Apple TV and CarPlay R17R18R22R109.
Can I download shows for offline listening?
While some users mention downloading shows, there are complaints about the inability to save for offline play and issues with downloaded content requiring the app to be open or becoming unavailable without a subscription R79R152R269R278.
Is the Nugs app easy to use?
The Nugs app is generally described as easy to navigate for finding music R49R55, but users report significant issues with playlist sorting, search functionality, and overall organization, especially for favorited shows R5R18R34R239.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R77] 3/5 · US Video Only Shows?: $14.99 a month is similar to Netflix, Disney+, etc streaming services that provide video… The fact that there are shows that are only video is unacceptable. Makes me wonder why I pay what I do when I can get most of the same shows on archive for free. Yes Nugs has better sound, but come on! This is a forced upgrade to an unreasonable price range. I am such a fan of the service a
  2. [R238] 3/5 · US Greedy: Too expensive
  3. [R176] 1/5 · US Scammers: Absolute trash of a company. 49.99$ a day to watch dead and co 60th on top of subscription fee. Now they dupe subscribers into thinking they can listen to the audio for free but its another 14.99$ a day for only the audio. These people are whats wrong with the industry. I cant wait to pirate their content.
  4. [R190] 1/5 · US Total scam: They charge you for a membership and then you still have to pay to watch? Screw that, no thanks.
  5. [R191] 1/5 · US Scam: I purchased the “all access” package for fill access and exclusive live streams only to still have to pay $35 more to view the zeds dead live stream. Sooooo what exactly does all access mean????? Anyways I will be cancelling
  6. [R153] 1/5 · US bait and switch: I did not use my nugs account for several years because I bought live shows and then they would become unavailable after time. I signed in yesterday and was offered a 7 day free trial. I clicked on the offer and was charged a month’s fee. Tried to cancel and it was not an option. The seven day free trial offer was not honored and now I am stuck with a month when I wanted to see if
  7. [R119] 1/5 · US Rest in peace bob weir: Constantly raising the price live every other streaming service. Made a tiered subscription service. Completely strayed away from the community that is tied into live music and it being shared.
  8. [R144] 3/5 · US Like & Gripe: Overall satisfied. I Like as much as I Gripe . Service and price could be better . But also could be worse. But I recall the day when I got almost everything I seen and heard at a festival for free. Now I pay and sometimes don’t get it all or can’t . Would like quicker access. But livestreams are cool…if they work and are not glitchy . Switching out promotion rate like c
  9. [R152] 1/5 · US Misleading: I bought a live album off their website - I just wanted the one album, no subscription. The website allows this. Great. But when I went to download it in Safari, it said “mobile browsers not supported”. This is misleading. They are choosing not to allow downloads. Whatever, so I download the app. I open the app and sign in and there’s my album. When I hit the download button it shows
  10. [R213] 1/5 · US Don’t purchase any shows: Do not “purchase” any shows because without any prior notice a specific show i had bought was removed from the app at the artist request and I could no longer listen because I had not downloaded the show to my device. I asked for a refund or credit for the purchase and received no reply.
  11. [R269] 3/5 · GB Good for streaming: Works well and the audio quality is good for streaming. Without a subscription, it is limited. It would be good to have the ability to download shows you've purchased (rather than just stream) and to get better iPad support. It would then be worth 5 stars.
  12. [R18] 3/5 · US All goose, all the time (for the most part). Otherwise great quality app.: Look, I like Goose as much as the next guy, but lately the majority of the livestreams are Goose. I wouldn’t have bought an annual sub had I known it would turn out to be lacking variety to this extent (maybe this will change in the future?). Also, the AppleTV app, while great quality (bravo for that) seems a bit limited
  13. [R101] 1/5 · US 8$ app: Half the shows they advertise aren’t available
  14. [R170] 1/5 · US Not enough to our membership: I find it incredibly annoying that you advertise certain bands (ie Tedeschi trucks) yet hardly release ANY of their shows. Also, the “free” streams that come with membership disappear after 24 hours? Why? I’m not gonna renew.
  15. [R184] 1/5 · US U need to change things up!!: I keep on seeing the same bands streaming on your site? Just running through concerts and festivals out there. You could be getting rock pop and country festivals out on your site. Getting those well known 90’s and 2000 bands may interest me to subscribe
  16. [R2] 5/5 · US Nugs: Definitely spot on for all your favorite bands you can’t see or travel too. Scratches my itch
  17. [R3] 5/5 · US Worth it: This is the best idea ever! I’m so much happier just listening to all the shows I want to go to instead of feeling like I can’t afford the tickets and travel
  18. [R23] 5/5 · US So worth the subscription price: Nugs has really blown me away with how the range of music & recordings offered. I can listen to shows I went to in my little college town from 10 YEARS AGO. Love the modern world of music apps & nugs is tops
  19. [R49] 5/5 · US Great app/Service!: Easy to use. I’ve been listening to every Metallica show starting from the beginning, and I can easily swipe forward to get to the next show. I’m not normally into non-metal, but I do love checking out the live shows, especially Billy Strings. App dev has been responsive to my questions. Highly recommend this app and service.
  20. [R32] 5/5 · US Great music: Quick to upload and great sound quality.
  21. [R36] 5/5 · US Love It: Fantastic sound and video quality
  22. [R43] 5/5 · US Nugs is great!: Amazing concert audio. I never wrote a review before, but this deserves it.
  23. [R55] 5/5 · US Nugs 🔥: Rejoined the Nugs community and zero regrets. Excellent user interface and sound quality.
  24. [R44] 5/5 · US Don’t miss out!: Livestreams alone are more than worth it. Catalog is cherry on top. Clutch for couch tour!
  25. [R61] 5/5 · US Music: If you love live music, especially jam bands, then this is totally for you!! I watch nugs more than I watch any other streaming service!! Top notch!
  26. [R62] 5/5 · US Essential for Live Music Fans: What a time to be alive! We can follow our favorite bands from the comfort of home. Near perfect execution. Thank you Nugs!
  27. [R64] 5/5 · US Essential Live Music App: Non-negotiable for live music folks
  28. [R65] 5/5 · US Best App for Live Shows/Soundboards: Basically the only app you can listen to live sets of jam bands on. My only complaint is it sucks battery at nearly twice the rate of Spotify. Can’t even knock a star though, because it works perfectly and is the best app in its niche.
  29. [R47] 5/5 · US Healing the world with music: If anything is gonna keep us going ignite a cognitive revolution my bet is on music. That’s why I pay for soundboards.
  30. [R17] 2/5 · US Ugh: App drops 12 times a day.
  31. [R22] 1/5 · US Poor developer choices: The developers decided to implement widevine DRM, so it can’t be used on most daps. On my iPhone, app doesn’t do gapless consistently, hangs, buffers, doesn’t resume properly. Really poor design.
  32. [R109] 1/5 · US New update is horrible: WHY did you change the CarPlay functionality so much? When I select an album while plugged into CarPlay, I cannot select a song manually anymore. It starts every album and play list from the beginning. I have to go on my phone to choose a song from the album which is far more dangerous when driving. Seriously considering canceling until this is fixed.
  33. [R79] 3/5 · US Offline: Can’t save for offline play.
  34. [R278] 3/5 · CA Issues with downloads: I got the downloads. But unless the app is open all the time (eating battery) it just shuts off mid song. Constantly wants me to join streaming… I just want to download a few shows and listen to them:)
  35. [R5] 2/5 · US No “Sort” option for Playlists: The only way to sort/arrange songs in a playlist is by manually dragging each song, one-by-one, from the very bottom of the playlist where they’re added up to wherever you want it. If you want to sort alphabetically (Artist, Song Title, Album/Show/Venue), Recently Added to Playlist, or most importantly: Date of Show; you’re out of luck. Given the live music angle of
  36. [R34] 3/5 · US yeooo: needs better search and could be nice to have some more musicians or concerts etc otherwise solid for my top picks tho
  37. [R239] 2/5 · US Still such a disorganized mess: So disorganized! I don’t know how it’s possible for Nugs to still be such a mess after all these years. Why is there no way for my favorite shows to be separated by artist? Right now every show is listed in one long window. Why can’t I just tap Phish and go to a section of JUST Phish shows that I’ve favorited? Why are ALL favorited shows lumped together in one list?

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store