We analyzed 34 negative reviews from the top 5 Debate apps on the App Store. Here's what users hate most.
Ranked by frequency — how often each complaint appears in negative reviews.
32% of negative reviews mention this issue.
"So many bugs like a lot. But a great concept."
"Overall the app serves its purpose but it has lots of bugs. There have been a few times where my rumbles will just disappear and I have no way of getting them back."
26% of negative reviews mention this issue.
"However, the people who send death threats and advocate for genocide are an issue, and should be banned."
"So there are some people on here who will start a chat with you, just to call you names and slurs for the position you sided with to argue."
15% of negative reviews mention this issue.
"Nobody is active its a great idea but nobody is genuinely active on the app and i can never find people to debate with"
"I match with people to debate easy but nobody ever responds. Defeats the whole purpose."
18% of negative reviews mention this issue.
"How is it that #1 on the leaderboard is rated 21 out of 5 stars. How did #2 get 7 stars out of 5."
"The rating system only amplifies this as the person/idiot/conspiracy theorists you are"
21% of negative reviews mention this issue.
"can't send the text very well with in a debate. can't see the text and type out so you can't review what their statement was."
"I just downloaded this app today, and it's very polished and professional looking. I love the concept but this is all undermined by the fact I can only type about 3-4 short sentences before it word caps me?"
12% of negative reviews mention this issue.
"No instructions provided, so even though I understood the point of some of the "games," others were unclear."
"Don't care for the way it's set up"
Design and usability issues driving negative reviews.
Users are frustrated by strict word/character caps that prevent them from making complete arguments
"I just downloaded this app today, and it's very polished and professional looking. I love the concept but this is all undermined by the fact I can only type about 3-4 short sentences before it word caps me?"
The interface doesn't allow users to see previous messages while composing responses
"can't send the text very well with in a debate. can't see the text and type out so you can't review what their statement was. and it's hard to click on stuff"
Basic navigation causes users to lose their place in menus and lists
"If you're scrolling through a menu and navigate to a different tab, your scroll position gets reset. Annoying."
When users block or report someone, all their chat history disappears
"If you try to block them or even report them, boom—your chats disappear after. All. Of. Them. I've had this ha"
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