# STARSS: News Reader — user reviews

> 154 indexed App Store user reviews of STARSS by Christopher Kriens, rated 4.80/5 from 272 ratings.

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starss-news-reader/id367300362/reviews
- App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starss-news-reader/id367300362.md
- Rating breakdown: 5★ 236 · 4★ 20 · 3★ 7 · 2★ 3 · 1★ 6

## What do users think of STARSS?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🚀 Smooth and responsive interface
- 🎨 Authentic LCARS design
- 🔊 Immersive sound effects
- 📰 Curated news content
- 🤖 Feels like using a real PADD

**Cons**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
- 🔇 Lack of volume control for sound effects
- 📱 Limited functionality beyond news reading
- 🔍 Difficulty adding custom RSS feeds
- 🔄 Syncing issues between devices

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Crashes when opening certain articles
- RSS feed list disappearing after updates
- Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
- Slow or failed feed refreshes

**Most requested features**

- Expanded LCARS functionality (calendar, calculator, etc.)
- Customizable news categories and sources
- Ability to save/share articles
- Dark mode option
- Support for more platforms (macOS, Android)

## Newest reviews (19 of 154)

### 2/5 — No sound

*2026-03-14, version 3.3.6*

Owning the app for many years the app was fun but recently I have noticed the app has no sound

### 4/5 — Almost perfect

*2025-11-24, version 3.3.6*

Love this. I wish that there was an optional to toggle off the view finder (as cool as it is) and expand the summary. I’d love to read whole article in that format instead of jumping to the website.

### 4/5 — Love it, but could use a font fix for old eyes

*2024-12-30, version 3.3.6*

I really love this app! I miss rss feed readers and this one is really well done. I would request, though, that the font on the reader pages be changeable, or made to be less tight. It takes a bit more effort to read for people with poor vision.

### 4/5 — No Update Since 2020

*2024-08-28, version 3.3.6*

User to whoever is in charge of this enterprise:

I cannot use this RSS app without putting the phone on mute. If I wanted Trek sound effects, I’d download a ringtone. 

Feed source names too long. Need editing so I can see the URL of the feed. 

User out.

### 5/5 — Brilliant animation!

*2024-08-23, version 3.3.6*

I’m a big LCARS fan and this is a really well created app, with excellent attention to detail and brilliant animations! Red alert looks excellent! This looks better than the real Tricoders used in TNG.

### 5/5 — Really like it!

*2024-06-21, version 3.3.6*

Only issue (6/21/24) is that it no longer refreshes the news.  Latest one is 6/20/24 at 15:49.    Maybe a server issue?   Everything else works.  Hope you can fix this.  I love articles with no intrusive ads.   God job!

### 5/5 — Excellent!

*2024-06-10*

I love being able to quickly find an article I’m interested in, though I find I’m reading most of them.  Even better is the lack of intrusive ads, especially videos.  Many of my friends downloaded this app after I showed it to them.  I now also enjoy running it on my M2 Mac.

### 4/5 — LOUD!!

*2024-06-02, version 3.3.6*

Needs an independent volume control!

### 5/5 — Such a good interface!

*2024-06-01, version 3.3.6*

Really top notch. Great fun and Trek honourable. Loved it!

### 5/5 — Okay I shouldn’t be loving this this much

*2024-02-20, version 3.3.6*

This is TOTALLY WICKED!!!!

### 3/5 — Needs updating

*2023-12-21, version 3.3.6*

Lists too many duplicate lines, unable to change font size, 3 years old and at risk of an Apple auto update or removal from the store.

### 5/5 — I love this!

*2023-12-09, version 3.3.6*

I know due to IOS constraints it can't do more but oh how I would pay if I could use this as my front end all the time.

### 5/5 — Better than reddit!

*2023-11-11, version 3.3.6*

I wanted a curated newsfeed, love star trek, and waste too much time on reddit as is. This app is perfect - it’s smooth, the sound effects and buttons are so fun and immersive. If you want a professional RSS feed, maybe this is a bit barebones. If you want to feel like you’re on the Enterprise, (or just a more ADHD-friendly reddit/scrolling alternative) then this app is it. I would pay obscene amounts of money for a calendar/mail/books LCARS themed bundle!

### 4/5 — good as always :)

*2023-11-09, version 3.3.6*

but... we need an app update soon. Thank you

### 5/5 — Feature Request

*2023-10-24*

I love this app and it’s animated so well. I think a cool toggle to add would be the ability to use the volume buttons as the ascend/descend buttons to move through the articles instead of just the buttons on the bottom right. This would be something you could turn on and of in settings.

### 5/5 — Sweet app

*2023-10-14, version 3.3.6*

I used this app for 5 minutes and already feel like I’m onboard NCC-1701-D.  I wish the headlines were tappable, but otherwise it’s 100% awesome.

### 5/5 — FAVORITE APP !

*2023-08-16, version 3.3.6*

I ADORE this app - it’s so awesome having something so fun and Trekkie on my phone, but the major plus is the articles they choose and how well-put their descriptions are. I’ve been using this for years and decided to write a review so they know how much I appreciate them!! It’s such a relief to have somewhere to go for cool science news without getting sucked into social media. Thank you !! Keep doing what you’re doing 🖖 LLAP

### 5/5 — More please!

*2023-07-23, version 3.3.6*

I really want to have my whole phone in the LCARS layout. News is so fake. I’d like to see my notifications listed, the current Star Date, and Majel Roddenberry computer voice for everything! Is that possible for Google Maps? Thank you

### 3/5 — Amazing but

*2023-07-09, version 3.3.6*

Amazing but it would be nice if I could upload feeds form independent news sources. Also I would like to use it for other functions. A planner, notes, dictation etc. That’s a tall order I know but it’s a freaking try quarter! I want to do more than observe the news.

## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated)

### 1/5 — Wow nothing to do with Star Trek

*2023-08-12*

This is nothing but a crying circle for every disgusting degenerate. Wanabe socialist when if you actually know anything about Star Trek they got paid in credits. Still a capitalist society Idiots. People like you destroy entertainment, and artwork that was created by other people because you can’t come up with anything original you just grift off of others work. I had thought this would be an entertaining app, but after reading the articles, I am appalled probably from the same idiots that want you to wear a mask when they can’t read the side of the box that straight out admits it does nothing against Covid and before Covid it said less than 6% affective while you all tried to shove it down our throats. If you hate my country so much leave I’ve blood for it. What have you done?

### 1/5 — Unable to add RSS feeds

*2022-05-08, version 3.3.6*

Unable to add RSS feeds because the app is stuck on a google search page.  Regrettable because this app has potential.  Hope you can fix.

### 1/5 — Beware the Google

*2021-03-11, version 3.3.6*

It’s actually not a bad application, but the inability to change from the Google search engine and associated products is a non-starter.  It’s not that it doesn’t work....it’s the whole ‘being evil’ thing and having them shadow your every move across the internet.  Not to mention their commitment to destroying freedom of speech and the constitution in general.  Not a bad app, just a bad company!

### 1/5 — RSS feeds are never available

*2020-02-06, version 3.3.6*

I’ve tried multiple news sources and only found one very disappointing

### 1/5 — Url

*2019-09-15, version 3.3.5*

It keeps saying please check URL I’m only 12 I have no I dear what that means can someone pls tell me what that means.

### 1/5 — A real piece of sh**!

*2017-12-30, version 3.3.3*

This thing works well with the canned content that it comes with, but try to add a new feed and you find that you've got nothing but a fancy app preloaded with a few less than necessary feeds.  Hit the new button on the sources page and a blank screen pops up.  Hit engage in that blank screen and add a feed URL manually and get a cannot load error, regardless of the rss feed address you enter.  
Good thing this app is free, because it's not worth that price.

### 1/5 — Url's

*2015-05-21, version 3.2*

Same as review no2 says it won't accept any new Url's
Quite disappointing

### 1/5 — Be careful

*2014-12-18, version 3.2*

Please respond to my emails 18.12.14.
The app does not accept any new RSS URL's.
Only plays and refreshes the pre loaded RSS feeds which I dont want.

### 1/5 — Does not work with iOS 8.

*2014-11-08, version 3.1*

Unfortunately this app no longer works. Do not buy it! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ when fixed.

### 1/5 — Crash and burn

*2011-10-19, version 1.6*

Even with the last update the app still continually crashes when ever I enter a RSS feed, even though other readers available read the RSS fine and it used to work before the updates came along.  I enjoyed this app and it's Star Trek style but now it is resigned to the trash can until the developer can release a reliable update.  No email support for the developer, only facebook which I don't use so unable to get support either which really doesn't help.  If your a Star Trek fan looking for a Star Trek style reader look for the LCARS one and avoid this one.

Updated for iOS 5 now.  Damn shame that they haven't fixed any of the outstanding bugs.  Still can't store feeds in the reader and every time I enter a valid feed and go to view it the app just crashes.  Back to the trash can you go

## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated)

### 5/5 — Its So Cool.

*2026-06-13, version 3.3.6*

TNG Fan must have.

### 5/5 — Trek-tastic app-sperience (even in 2026)

*2026-02-03, version 3.3.6*

Looks like the last update was 6 years ago!? Unbelievable in “app years” because this app still feels like my own piece of the 24th century tech (PADD) in my hands. Amazing on both iPhone and iPad! I do wish I could do a whole lot more with it, but when I just need a quick escape to the future, STARRS is there! LCARS, beeps, bridge ambiance, and even red alerts! …now, we just need to be able to take the interface and apply it to …everything!

### 5/5 — The best LCARS UI in iOS

*2025-09-22, version 3.3.6*

Really amazing app for a Trekkie！

### 5/5 — Masterful and complete

*2025-07-22, version 3.3.6*

STARSS isn’t meant to be your everyday newsreader. It’s meant to allow Trek fans to experience what it means to actually use LCARS. It’s a lot of fun to play with and is in some ways a better experience than we get at amusement parks that have all the rights and none of the joy.

The developer is a true professional because be took the time to actually bring to life something we only ever saw on screen and did this 17 years ago.

Unlike other apps that exist to recreate childhood experiences for example and want $5 for something half baked, Christopher took the time to full flesh out STARSS and then he gave it away for free, at a time when he could have easily charged for it.

This guy is a class act, a scholar and a true pro. 

Thank you so much for your contribution.

### 5/5 — It is 2025 and this app still feels like the future

*2025-04-30, version 3.3.6*

I recently downloaded this because I got bit by the Star Trek bug and wanted to have some Star Trek stuff on my iPad. I downloaded it, liking how the pictures showed the interface, and it still works perfectly. I hope the developer keeps up with the app, even if it’s later in years, because I found my new favorite app to read news

### 5/5 — RSS reader in trek form

*2025-01-23, version 3.3.6*

I wish there were more Star Trek theme apps for iPad and iPhones but there are very few. Lcars would make money hand over fist

### 5/5 — Incredibly satisfying!

*2024-10-27, version 3.3.6*

It nails the feel while maintaining usability and purpose. I’d love to see more apps like this.

### 5/5 — To the person who made this

*2024-10-23, version 3.3.6*

You’re a god. You are the Q. Thank you. I wish Apple would allow custom UIs so you could just transport us. But this will do for now.

### 5/5 — Great app, even on MacOS

*2024-09-18, version 3.3.6*

First used this on my iPhone, but recently downloaded it on my MacBook and it works great on both! I personally love the aesthetic it adds when just leaving it open on my Mac! Great app, highly recommend!

### 5/5 — Few apps are this Incredible…

*2024-09-01, version 3.3.6*

Thank you beyond words to the the developer Christopher Kriens for creating this beautiful, well featured, and ueable LCARS interface… so true to TNG, it even requires you to press the “Acend” or “Decend” buttons to scroll rather than Swipe (Recognition of and adhesion to details like this make it a Gem). I use it every day and coolness factor never gets old. 6 Starss if I could.

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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 2026-09-02.*