# Gramophone Magazine — user reviews > 61 indexed App Store user reviews of Gramophone Magazine by MA Business & Leisure, rated 2.90/5 from 16 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gramophone-magazine/id443913826/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gramophone-magazine/id443913826.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 6 · 4★ 0 · 3★ 2 · 2★ 3 · 1★ 5 ## Newest reviews (10 of 61) ### 2/5 — Worse than a PDF *2025-10-03* The app is a very basic reader. No functionality beyond what you'd get from a PDF of the issue. Actually less functionality--this app has limited zoom capability and won't even let you highlight or copy text. No single-article view capability. No ability to save individual articles or reviews to come back to. I can get better functionality by underlining and dog-earing the print edition. ### 4/5 — Appreciated *2019-07-09* The app is wonderful (mostly) but I did have an irritating problem where every time I opened it, I got a subscription activated message. Happily, the Exact Editions techies solved that, so it goes back to being a favourite. I’m still learning how best to use search on past numbers. ### 4/5 — Good alternative to printed edition *2019-03-03* This has the full contents of the printed magazine and is to be recommended. In addition, on the Mac version (not iPad) there is a text only version of each page underneath the original, good for looking at in other apps once exported or for further study. Only 4 stars because there needs to be better navigation and links to other websites else no complaints and it saves on paper too. ### 3/5 — Annoying sound *2018-11-30* Works fine apart from occasionally sounding a loud alert at random. It doesn’t seem possible to turn this off. ### 2/5 — Missing critical search features *2018-10-04* Great magazine but the app has two major issues: 1. There is no function associated with easily accessing their review archive. Shouldn’t this be provided with a subscription? 2. The search function provided is so limited in functionality that it can’t possibly be used to effectively search for anything. Fix these two issues and it’s five star app for me. ### 4/5 — Initial problem solved after an email *2018-02-11* Having found it difficult to find specific reviews, I then decided to email for help, and having received suitable guidance, I am now able to find past reviews. One slight criticism might be that typing in specific information results in not only accessing the relevant reviews, but also past advertisements. ### 2/5 — Price *2016-05-22, version 9.2.3* Why does this version cost more than the print version? ### 4/5 — Snappy and well featured *2016-04-25* Launches quickly on my IPhone 4S and responds well. Maybe it's my v fast wi-fi that speeds it up. Interactive features allow instant auditioning of any music available on iTunes and instant access to web sites of music providers which is a bid enhancement over the magazine. The size of the phone screen is only a small a hindrance because the interface is intuitive if you are used to Apple's way of doing things on the iPhone. I would like to be able to turn over more than one page at a time - hence the loss of a star. Works well on new iPhone SE as well. ### 1/5 — Buying subscription doesn't buy you the magazines *2016-02-11, version 9.0.1* Other magazine subscriptions in iTunes that I've used give you perpetual access to the issues for your subscription period. This one does not: once your subscription expires you lose access to anything you've downloaded, from within your subscription period or not. As their support team puts it, it's more like Spotify than buying copies of the magazine. ### 2/5 — Poor interface for good content *2016-01-30, version 9.0.1* The app on an iPad is frustrating to use. It's a poorly designed interface for good content. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Very disappointing *2025-04-25* The magazine is very good but the app does it a great disservice. It has an absolutely horrendous search facilities, poor indexing and I cannot understand why the user interface has such a poor design. ### 1/5 — Impossible to start sub on App *2023-12-03* It appears to be completely impossible to start a subscription to Gramophone on this app. There is no “subscribe” button anywhere. Why is the App available for download if you can’t subscribe from it? ### 1/5 — Dreadful Search Engine *2023-11-19* I don’t think I’ve ever come across anything with such a chronically dreadful search engine. Try searching Vivaldi Gloria, for instance. Everything you search yields such poor results it is a completely worthless app. It finds nothing you want and everything you don’t. Navigation is also poor failing to remember what you’re looking for. AWFUL. ### 1/5 — Subscription *2019-04-12* Be aware that if you have a subscription through iTunes and cancel, you lose every every magazine you purchased. Given the cost of a subscription (around 120 dollars annually) that is very disappointing. ### 1/5 — Zero stars - Terrible *2019-03-26* Almost impossible to renew successfully if you have a subscription to The Gramophone itself rather via ITunes. Firstly you can ONLY renew by post or telephone - yes really. Secondly you cannot regain access to your content without ringing them up another time, second call to get access to review database. Now, I can’t get access to the magazine, email and password not recognised even though they are saved in Safari, and I’ve checked they are correct. No way to contact the them via the app not even a reset password link. Shoddy. 1990s programming and it’s not cheap. Utter rubbish ### 1/5 — Still trying.... *2018-09-24* ...to find a way to purchase individual back numbers, as you can on every other magazine app. Tried this one on two iPads without success. Very curious. What’s the point of the app if you can’t use it to buy editions you want? ### 1/5 — (Still) Not working under iOS 11.3 *2018-04-04* As it says in the title ### 1/5 — Great mag, poor app *2017-09-26* AFAIK it doesn't even allow text size to be modified, so essentially you're left to struggle with large images of a small-font magazine page that you read in the manner of examining a large photo in sections at a time. Any newspaper app allows more readability than this. Cp. The New Yorker app. Very frustrating. ### 1/5 — Frustrated - lost access to my issues *2017-05-19* Buyer beware. Unlike most magazine subscriptions you don't "own" issues. When your subscription expires you can no longer access any issues. I will not be renewing my subscription. ### 1/5 — Ropey *2016-04-07* I installed this as prompted by the web site after getting a subscription to Gramophone. Having installed and opened it never prompted for credentials, spent five minutes showing a blank grey screen and then showed each issue of the magazine as a question mark. So it is useless. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Gramophone is Great, and this app makes it more accessible *2026-06-28* Gramophone keeps up with the classical music world. It introduces unfamiliar composers (women and people of color are some of the big finds) and unfamiliar music of known composers. It highlights performers—established and rising talent. Every month I pull up Gramophone and go on a journey of discovery, with music app in tow. ### 5/5 — Excellent App *2024-04-09* The coverage of recordings, with which one can always disagree, aside, the app itself is excellent. You can search the entire run of Gramophone and, best of all, most reviews link to recordings on Apple Music. ### 5/5 — Contact support is very thorough *2024-04-08* The problem was quickly resolved by Exact Editions contact support. I suddenly couldn't read the magazine I subscribed to monthly online. At first I thought it was the server. Even after changing my password three days later, I still can't log in. Resolved by contact. ``Succeed'' by exchanging information three times, including screenshots. The response to problem solving is quick and the advice is of good quality. If there was no Japan-UK time difference, the problem would have been resolved in a shorter time. I am very happy. Advantages of subscription magazines Contact support is very thorough There is text data Ability to read back issues Convenient search function ### 5/5 — Beautiful *2024-01-14* Beautiful picture-perfect rendition of a top-notch magazine, with a phenomenal archive going back to 1923. The search function is useful and helpful. ### 5/5 — December 1940 *2020-06-18* This issue is missing in your back library, it’s replaced by a repeat of the January 1940 issue. ### 5/5 — Perfect companion *2020-04-25* With embedded links to Apple Music, this is the perfect companion for perusing reviews and listening. ### 5/5 — The leading magazine for classical music *2019-06-01* If you are looking for Gramophone in a digital, online version, then this is the app to get. I switched a couple of years ago and would not want to miss this app. If you don't know Gramophone and are looking for a magazine about classical music - voilà, this is one of the leading publications in this genre, if not the best you can get. The scope is global, and they are serious about every recording, good or bad. The support is fast, polite and, most importantly, really helpful. This is a strong recommendation for Gramophone from Germany. ### 5/5 — A joy to use *2017-09-15* I have been a subscriber to Gramophone magazine in its printed edition for some 30 years and have witnessed many changes to the format, style and 'emphasis' in the publication. I've not always welcomed every innovation but the introduction of a digital edition with access on iPhone and iPad has, in my opinion, been a genuine leap forward. Incredibly easy to use and, should problems occur, a back up support team second to none. I would not wish to be without my printed copy but the convenience of the digital edition and, of course, the back catalogue it allows access to, is simply superb. Strong recommendation. ### 5/5 — Great magazine! *2017-02-26* I'll start with the same statement I read in another review, "I'm not sure what the negative reviews are about". I don't get it either. Maybe they are from a few years ago but I have had no issues with the app. The magazine is clear and easy to navigate. The resolution is very high (which I love) and the quality of the writing goes without saying (the best). I have wanted something interactive to look over when I'm listening to music and this is it. Great job! ### 5/5 — Great app with excellent customer support *2017-02-10* The headline says it all. I have no hesitation in saying this app works for me in all respects and I am happy to recommend. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-02.*