# SFGATE — Bay Area news & culture > Bay Area news and culture with an ad-free reading experience. (iPhone/iPad app by Hearst Newspapers.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sfgate/id6762748205 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Hearst Newspapers](https://appshunter.io/developer/397018366) - Category: News, Magazines & Newspapers - Price: Free - Rating: 4.60/5 from 86 App Store ratings · 14 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 12+ - Requires: iOS 15.0 · 36 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2026-07-16 - Data updated: 2026-09-01 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sfgate/id6762748205/reviews.md ## What is SFGATE? An ad-free reading experience, plus a handful of extras designed to bring you closer to the places you care about. The stories behind them, too.  Become a Friend of SFGATE to unlock it all. ## Key features - Ad-free reading experience - In-depth news coverage - Bay Area culture insights - Exclusive content for members - Connect with local places ## Chart rankings - #120 in Top Free · Magazines & Newspapers (US App Store) ## Recent user reviews (10 of 14) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sfgate/id6762748205/reviews.md ### 1/5 — Only worth it if you’re subscribing *2026-08-23* The teasers say the app is free, but unless you’re going to subscribe the app is a downgrade from reading on the web - stories don’t display at all. The app makes you create an account to find this out. From other reviews this is a good app if you want to subscribe, but the app should be marked (and marketed) as “subscription required.” ### 1/5 — Disappointed *2026-08-12* I have been an SF Chronicle subscriber since the mid 1970’s. When SFGate came online it was free and I read it along with my SFComical. Now the suits want to charge me to use the SFGate app too!? NO bleeping WAY. They can explain all they want about the Comical and SFNotSoGreat have separate editorial staffs and they must charge for its content,but they’re the same publisher. Contact me when you make it free to SFChronicle subscribers. Until then I’m gone. ### 5/5 — Enjoying SFG *2026-08-07* Like the quick info format. ### 1/5 — Zero stars is not available? *2026-07-24* I registered for the paid ad-free version and now I can’t get ANY version. If I click on a story all I get is a solid red screen for two or three seconds followed by a full-screen ad asking me to upgrade to a paid ad-free version. ### 5/5 — Love it! *2026-07-22* This is so worth the tiny fee to get A+ Bay Area journalism with no ads. ### 5/5 — Same solid journalism. But no ads!! <3 *2026-07-17* Appreciate sfgate’s commitment to thoughtful honest coverage. Glad to finally have no ads. What events will you have? ### 5/5 — NO ADS!! CLEAN-SCROLL!!! CAN LISTEN TO ARTICLES!! *2026-07-16* Take my $4.99 a month! This app is great. Love the different intro greetings every time i open up the app, the crossword tab’s cute animation, and that i finally don’t need to be pestered by mobile ads for my go-to news source. ### 5/5 — Easy. Simple. Cool. *2026-07-16* A must-have now for Bay Area news seekers! ### 5/5 — No ads! *2026-07-16* The best way to read SFGATE ### 5/5 — User-friendly *2026-07-16* Such a clean add-free reading experience. I love that I can bookmark stories to come back to when I have more time! ## Frequently asked questions about SFGATE ### What is SFGATE? SFGATE is a news and culture app focused on the Bay Area. It offers an ad-free reading experience and exclusive content for members. ### Is SFGATE free to use? Yes, SFGATE is free to download and use. The app is ad-free and offers additional content for members. ### Does SFGATE have ads? No, SFGATE provides an ad-free reading experience for all users. ### What devices does SFGATE support? SFGATE is available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices. ### What is the age rating for SFGATE? SFGATE has an age rating of 12+, making it suitable for a broad audience. ### How often is SFGATE updated? The latest version of SFGATE is 202607.8, last updated on July 23, 2026. Updates are frequent to ensure the best user experience. ### What do users think of SFGATE? SFGATE has a perfect 5.0-star rating from 42 reviews, indicating very positive user sentiment. ### Who develops SFGATE? SFGATE is developed by Hearst Newspapers, a well-established media organization. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 202608.55 — 2026-08-31 Bug fixes and performance improvements. ### 202608.43 — 2026-08-24 Bug fixes and performance improvements. ### 202608.33 — 2026-08-20 Bug fixes and performance improvements. ### 202607.10 — 2026-07-30 - Bug fixes and performance improvements ### 202607.8 — 2026-07-23 - Bug fixes and performance improvements ## Apps similar to SFGATE | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [East Bay Times](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/east-bay-times/id429780888) | 4.1 (436) | Free | News | | [KALW](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kalw/id6476590182) | 4.8 (90) | Free | News | | [Marin Independent Journal News](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/marin-independent-journal-news/id499674553) | 4.6 (207) | Free | News | | [The San Francisco Standard](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-san-francisco-standard/id6447247127) | 5.0 (13) | Free | News | | [The Mercury News for Mobile](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-mercury-news-for-mobile/id479955259) | 4.6 (866) | Free | News | | [CalMatters](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/calmatters/id6475375084) | 5.0 (18) | Free | News | ## More apps by Hearst Newspapers - [The San Francisco Chronicle](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-san-francisco-chronicle/id423260205) - [Austin American Statesman](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/austin-american-statesman/id445643104) - [The Dallas Morning News](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-dallas-morning-news/id446106070) - [Houston Chronicle](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/houston-chronicle/id453564805) - [Times Union](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/times-union/id468081524) - [San Antonio Express-News](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/san-antonio-express-news/id474259540) All apps by Hearst Newspapers: https://appshunter.io/developer/397018366 ## Related topics [san francisco business times](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/san-francisco-business-times) · [san francisco chronicle](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/san-francisco-chronicle) · [sfcave](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/sfcave) · [lonsdale area news](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/lonsdale-area-news) · [california post news](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/california-post-news) · [hearst newspapers](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/hearst-newspapers) · [the san francisco chronicle](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/the-san-francisco-chronicle) · [sfndt](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/sfndt) --- *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 2026-09-01.*