Apple App Store and Google Play have distinct systems for handling ratings and reviews, including different moderation processes, time delays, visibility rules, and developer response capabilities.
Requirements:
Moderation:
Visibility:
| Type | Visibility | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Public | All App Store users | Everyone |
| Private | App Store Connect only | Developers with account access |
Connect developer account in AppReviewBot to access both types.
Requirements:
Review delays:
Visibility:
| Type | Calculation | Visibility |
|---|---|---|
| Public | Time-weighted (emphasizes recent) | All Play Store users |
| Private | Lifetime average | Play Console developers only |
These can differ significantly. See Why Doesn't Average Rating Match?.
| Feature | Apple App Store | Google Play |
|---|---|---|
| Rating without text | ✅ Yes, very common | ✅ Yes, very common |
| Moderation delay | 1-24 hours | Hours to days |
| Developer replies | Once per review, updatable | Updatable anytime |
| Rating systems | Single public/private split | Time-weighted vs lifetime |
| Review sorting | Most Helpful | Most Relevant |
| Auto-translation | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Device info shown | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Prompt limits | 3× per version per year | No strict limit |
| Regional ratings | Region-specific | Region-specific |
Without developer account:
With connected developer account:
Connect account: Sidebar → Store Accounts
| Source | Count | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| App Store | 10,000 ratings | Text + rating-only |
| AppReviewBot | 3,200 reviews | Text reviews only (default) |
Rating-only submissions not included by default.
AppReviewBot calculates from fetched reviews only:
Limitations:
Rating prompts:
Review responses:
Managing review delays:
Leveraging translations:
Understanding dual ratings:
Show rating prompts at positive moments: Ask for ratings after users complete tasks or have successful experiences—not after errors.
Respond to negative reviews quickly: Reply to 1-3 star reviews within 24-48 hours.
Connect your developer accounts: Link your App Store Connect and Play Console accounts in AppReviewBot for complete review access and response capabilities.
Monitor both platforms appropriately: Apple reviews appear faster and need quicker responses. Google reviews take longer to publish but give you more time to respond.
See common questions in our Ratings & Reviews FAQ.
