Comparison

Idler vs Architects’ Journal

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

Head to head
About

Idler

This bi-monthly journal offers a fun, fulfilling escape from busy life with interviews, essays, history, philosophy, and arts coverage. Discover content on the good life, including recipes and guides, to make you feel better about life.

Highlights
  • Interviews and essays on the good life
  • Coverage of history, philosophy, and arts
  • Beautiful photography and original illustration
  • Recipes and practical guides
  • Digital journal format
  • Purchase current and back issues
Features
Read full description

The Idler was launched by Tom Hodgkinson back in 1993 with the intention of providing a dose of fun, freedom and fulfilment in a busy world. We're now a bi-monthly journal, and in every issue you'll find an enthralling mix of interviews, essays on the good life, history, philosophy, arts coverage, beautiful photography and original illustration. You'll find much to laugh at and much useful stuff as well, from Modern Toss to recipes for making bacon and guides to beekeeping. If you've ever felt that there's more to life than boring jobs, then why not join us? The Idler is a cheering read that makes you feel better about life. So study the art of living and download our app. ---------------------------------------------- This is a free app download. Within the app users can purchase the current issue and back issues. Subscriptions are also available within the application. A subscription will start from the latest issue. Available subscriptions are: 12 months: £39.99 / $40.99 / €44.99 (6 issues) -The subscription will renew automatically unless cancelled more than 24 hours before the end of the current period. You will be charged for renewal within 24 hours of the end of the current period, for the same duration and at the current subscription rate for the product. -You may turn off the auto-renewal of subscriptions through your Account Settings, however you are not able to cancel the current subscription during its active period. -Payment will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase and any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when a subscription to that publication is purchased. Users can register for/ login to a pocketmags account in-app. This will protect their issues in the case of a lost device and allow browsing of purchases on multiple platforms. Existing pocketmags users can retrieve their purchases by logging into their account. We recommend loading the app for the first time in a wi-fi area so that all issue data is retrieved. If your app will not load past the splash page after a first install or an update, please delete and reinstall the app from the App Store Help and frequently asked questions be accessed in-app and on pocketmags. If you have any problems at all please do not hesitate to contact us: help@pocketmags.com -------------------- You can find our privacy policy here: http://www.pocketmags.com/privacy.aspx You can find our terms and conditions here: http://www.pocketmags.com/terms.aspx

About

Architects’ Journal

Features
Read full description

Discover everything an architect needs right at your fingertips with the Architects' Journal app. Championing the UK architectural profession since 1895, the Architects' Journal (AJ) is the go-to resource for architects, whether you're looking for project inspiration, technical information or breaking news. Curated by the AJ editorial team, our app is the fastest way to find what you need. STAY INFORMED AND INSPIRED - Breaking news on the UK architecture industry - Essential regulatory updates - In-depth building reviews featuring full sets of technical drawings and image galleries - Competitions selected by our expert editor READ BY AREA OF INTEREST - Explore our latest articles, or filter by News, Buildings, Specification or Competitions - Easily find what matters most, with an exclusive Highlights area curated daily by the AJ editorial team - Read and explore our beautiful magazines DEEPEN YOUR KNOWLEDGE - Access project data, technical drawings and construction details for thousands of projects - Brush up on your knowledge with full access to our podcasts PERSONALISE YOUR EXPERIENCE - Save articles to read later - Receive updates on new content FOR ARCHITECTURE PROFESSIONALS AND STUDENTS - The AJ app supports you through all stages of your career – from study and qualification through to advanced practice - Stay connected to your profession and the people shaping it Download The Architects' Journal app today for a full architecture toolkit in your pocket. Access is included with your AJ subscription.

Screenshots

Idler4 screens
Architects’ Journal4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Architects’ Journal at none against Idler's 14. Idler's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 15.1). On price, update cadence and device support 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. Idler sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $35.99 per year. Architects’ Journal asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 5 level
Idler versus Architects’ Journal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIdlerArchitects’ Journal
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS10.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size72 MB94 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJellyfish Connect LimitedMetropolis International Group Ltd

In-app purchases

14 purchases

Idler

Subscriptions1
  • The Idler 12M Auto Sub$35.991 Year
One-time13
  • Idler 64, Jan/F... (id:802489)$6.99
  • Idler 67, July/... (id:802457)$6.99
  • Nov/Dec 2019 (id:802453)$6.99
Show 10 more
  • Idler May/June ... (id:803095)$6.99
  • Idler 60, May/J... (id:806422)$7.99
  • Issue 58, Jan/F... (id:806424)$7.99
  • May/Jun 2023 (pp:916458)$7.99
  • Jan/Feb 2024 (pp:1026908)$7.99
  • Idler 96, May/... (pp:1046845)$7.99
  • Idler 97, July... (pp:1046840)$7.99
  • Idler 101, Mar... (pp:1112908)$7.99
  • #73, July/Aug 2020 (id:808531)$9.99
  • May-Jun 2021 (id:808571)$9.99
None

Architects’ Journal

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Idler free?
Idler is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Architects’ Journal free?
Architects’ Journal is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Idler or Architects’ Journal have ads?
Architects’ Journal shows ads; Idler does not.
Which is updated more often, Idler or Architects’ Journal?
Idler ships an update every 2 months, and Architects’ Journal every 2 months. Most recently, Idler was updated on October 9, 2026 and Architects’ Journal on October 25, 2026.

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