Comparison

Cairns Post vs Western Advocate

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Cairns Post

Access breaking news, award-winning journalism, and local perspectives from Queensland, Australia. Personalize your news feed, receive custom notifications, and read the daily digital replica of the newspaper. Explore podcasts and enjoy full digital access with a subscription.

Highlights
  • Breaking news alerts
  • Personalized news feed
  • Customizable notifications
  • Digital newspaper replica
  • Podcast discovery
  • Award-winning journalism
Features
Read full description

The Cairns Post app delivers the latest news and biggest stories as they happen, from our team of award-winning journalists in Queensland, Australia and the globe. Get a read on today with our breadth of content, award-winning journalism and trusted local perspectives. We are proud to tell the incredible stories every hour of every day with the Cairns Post app. Subscribers of the Cairns Post (other than Today's Paper digital replica subscribers) will have access to: PERSONALISE YOUR NEWS FEED Set your local news area, follow journalists and topics, plus your favourite sporting codes and teams. All of your customised preferences will appear on the home screen so you can get straight to what matters to you. CUSTOMISED NOTIFICATIONS Receive alerts on the stories that matter most as they happen. Tailor your notifications from a range of topics from breaking news, sport and entertainment to business updates and lifestyle. READ TODAY’S PAPER ON YOUR DEVICE Read the paper on the go with the digital replica of today’s newspaper. Access to the paper anytime, anywhere with the digital replica of the paper, as it’s printed. DISCOVER OUR RANGE OF PODCASTS Explore and listen to a wide range of podcasts from our team of dedicated journalists across the News+ network. The Cairns Post app for mobile and tablet is free to download, however to gain full access to the app's content and features simply subscribe for Member-only access. Member-only access gives you full digital access to thousands of subscriber only stories, the digital replica of the paper, puzzles and more of what you love. How to gain full access to the app's content and features: 1) Existing members of the Cairns Post (other than subscribers to Today's Paper digital replica) can log in to the app when prompted using their membership details; or, 2) Become a member by subscribing through the app (via iTunes) • Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal • Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period • Auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. • Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. For full Terms and Conditions please visit https://www.cairnspost.com.au/more-information/terms-and-conditions and our Privacy Policy, please visit preferences.news.com.au Please note: This app features Nielsen’s proprietary measurement software which will allow you to contribute to market research. Please see www.nielsen.com/digitalprivacy for more information.

About

Western Advocate

Stay informed with local news and community updates from your trusted regional source. Access breaking news 24/7, save articles for later, and receive alerts for important stories. Enjoy a digital replica of the daily newspaper and interactive puzzles.

Highlights
  • Breaking news updates 24/7
  • Browse articles by topic
  • Save articles for later
  • Breaking news alerts
  • Digital newspaper replica
  • Daily interactive puzzles
Features
Read full description

The Western Advocate The Western Advocate app brings together the best of your daily newspaper and its website to take your local news experience to another level. As the Bathurst region’s trusted voice, we keep you up to date seven days a week with news that’s important to our community. Whether it's the breaking news you need to know from around the region or across the nation, our dedicated crime reports, Bathurst Regional Council news, the latest Group 10 rugby league, Bathurst Orange Inter District Cricket, Bathurst Netball Association, Central West Rugby Union updates or any other local sporting results, in-depth analysis explaining the decisions and events affecting our lives, or incisive commentary, you will be the first to know using the Western Advocate app. The app is free to download, but you need to be a Western Advocate digital subscriber to read articles. Features include: - Access to breaking news updates 24 hours-a-day - Browse the latest articles in the topics that interest you most - Save articles to read later - Alerts for breaking news and big stories - Read a digital replica of the day's newspaper - Play our daily interactive puzzles Please note: This app features Nielsen's proprietary measurement software which will allow you to contribute to market research or audience ratings services. Please see http://www.nielsen.com/digitalprivacy for more information.

Screenshots

Cairns Post4 screens
Western Advocate4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Cairns Post at none against Western Advocate's shown. Cairns Post also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 4 months). On price, review sentiment, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Cairns Post sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days and Western Advocate sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cairns Post ships an update every 2 weeks, Western Advocate every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Cairns Post versus Western Advocate: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCairns PostWestern Advocate
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.4 (18 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews5.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings18 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size169 MB59 MB
Age rating17+12+
DeveloperNews Digital MediaRural Press Pty Ltd

Customer experience

Cairns Post

Written reviews20 reviews
Positive5.0%
Neutral5.0%
Negative90.0%

Western Advocate

Written reviews3 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral33.3%
Negative66.7%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Cairns Post

Subscriptions2
  • Cairns Post Weekly Subscription7 Days trial$1.997 Days
  • Cairns Post1 Month trial$20.491 Month
2 purchases

Western Advocate

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly subscription$12.991 Month
  • Yearly subscription$129.991 Year

Questions

Is Cairns Post free?
Cairns Post is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Western Advocate free?
Western Advocate is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Cairns Post or Western Advocate have ads?
Western Advocate shows ads; Cairns Post does not.
Which is updated more often, Cairns Post or Western Advocate?
Cairns Post ships an update every 2 weeks, and Western Advocate every 4 months. Most recently, Cairns Post was updated on October 26, 2026 and Western Advocate on October 27, 2026.

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