# SFGATE — user reviews

> 14 indexed App Store user reviews of SFGATE by Hearst Newspapers, rated 4.60/5 from 86 ratings.

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sfgate/id6762748205/reviews
- App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sfgate/id6762748205.md
- Rating breakdown: 5★ 76 · 4★ 2 · 3★ 0 · 2★ 0 · 1★ 8

## Newest reviews (1 of 14)

### 5/5 — Wow

*2026-07-16*

Love the story bookmarks, and customizable notifications and the games, but the ad-free part is seriously giving me life.

## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated)

### 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.

### 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 — Enjoying SFG

*2026-08-07*

Like the quick info format.

### 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!

## Most praised reviews (3 highest-rated)

### 5/5 — Great add to the news landscape

*2026-07-16*

So smooth and easy to navigate, too.

### 5/5 — Best for CA news

*2026-07-16*

Ad free version of all the best California journalism. Plus a fun California crossword!

### 5/5 — Finally

*2026-07-16*

I’ve been waiting for a way to experience SFGATE ad-free for so long. Glad it’s finally here and it looks amazing!!

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*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.*