Movie iPhone App Showdown

In this entry of our blog I will be evaluating four similar iPhone applications. The App Store is full of apps that contain similar functionality, so how do you know which one to download or use without wasting time or money?

Since we all love going to the movie theater, I will compare and contrast the following applications: Flixter’s Movies, Now Playing, Movies Now, and Showtimes. All of these applications have the same core functionality. Where they differ is the extra features and usability. All these apps are free and provide users with show times and theater locations. Hopefully after reading this guide you will be able to decide which app to use to keep up-to-date on all movie info.

Showtimes

Showtimes is definitely the most bare boned application of them all. It allows users to see theaters nearby along with the movies they are playing and times. Each movie has a synopsis and there are links to their corresponding web pages in rotten tomatoes and IMDB. The interface is simple and does not look as nice as the others. It does map out directions, but it is not integrated into the application.

PROS: Simple interface, Google Directions

CONS: Aesthetically unpleasing, no integration with movie databases (links to web browser), no buying feature

Movieshow

Movieshows provides a few more features than Showtimes in a much nicer interface. In fact, the design of the app is the most appealing of all. It contains the same features as Showtimes with a more intuitive user interface and the additional of some extra features such as buying tickets.

PROS: Aesthetically pleasing – best interface and buying tickets feature

CONS: Not fully integrated with rotten tomatoes or other movie databases, mapping not as intuitive, core features only

Now Playing

Now Playing has the second most features including viewing and writing reviews. It contains all the features from the one above, with a better design and more features. The application also gives information on upcoming DVDs. The only problem with Now Playing is that it contains a lot of information and it could have been organized better.

PROS: Lots of feature, good integration with movie databases, reviews

CONS: User interface is not as simple as others

Flixter’s Movies

Flixter’s Movies is the first application I tried and it is definitely the best one. Not only it contains every piece of information you might need about a movie (popularity, reviews, showtimes, location, description, actors information, facebook connect, ticket buying, trailers), but it also has a clever design that is very intuitive and easy to use. The full integration with the rotten tomatoes database really helps make this application stand out from the competition.

PROS: Plethora of good features, intuitive design

CONS: None that I can find.

Well there you have it, that’s my review of the main movie apps.  Leave your comments below with your opinion about these apps or any other ones you like to use.