Comparison

NetNewsWire vs command_line

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

Head to head
About

NetNewsWire

This app aggregates articles from your favorite blogs and news sites, offering a faster and more organized way to consume content. It provides control over your news feed, eliminating the need to visit multiple websites or rely on social media algorithms. Enjoy a streamlined reading experience with customizable features and syncing capabilities.

Highlights
  • Direct feed downloading
  • iCloud and third-party syncing
  • Customizable article themes
  • Reader view
  • Starred articles
  • Smart feeds
  • Home screen widgets
Currently charting
Read full description

It’s like podcasts, but for reading. NetNewsWire is a free and open source RSS reader. It shows you articles from your favorite blogs and news sites and keeps track of what you’ve read. It’s fast, stable, and accessible. If you’ve been going from site to site in your browser looking for new articles to read — or counting on the unreliable algorithms of corporate social media — let NetNewsWire bring you the news you want. It’s easy and fun. And it puts you, not billionaires, in control of your news. Features: * Direct feed downloading * Syncing via iCloud, Feedbin, Feedly, BazQux, Inoreader, NewsBlur, The Old Reader, and FreshRSS * Multiple accounts * Custom article themes * Reader view * Share sheet * Starred articles * All Unread and Today smart feeds * Folders * Importing and exporting OPML feed lists * Background refreshing * Searching * Hiding read articles * Timeline customization * Keyboard shortcuts * Context menus * Home screen widgets for today, unread, and starred articles * Share extension

About

command_line

A fast, terminal-style client for reading and participating in Hacker News discussions. Offers a focused interface with features like offline caching and story saving. Premium unlocks account actions and advanced tools for deeper engagement.

Highlights
  • Terminal-inspired interface
  • Browse all story types
  • Threaded comment discussions
  • Search Hacker News
  • Save stories with bookmarks
  • Offline caching
  • Account sign-in and participation
Features
Read full description

command_line is a fast, terminal-style Hacker News client built for readers who want speed, focus, and real participation. Browse top stories, new stories, best stories, Ask HN, Show HN, jobs, polls, profiles, and full discussion threads in a clean mobile experience designed to feel quick, dense, and intentional. Unlike many read-only Hacker News apps, command_line is built for both reading and doing. Free users can browse and read comfortably, while premium unlocks account-based actions and power-user tools. FREE FEATURES • Read Hacker News with a fast, terminal-inspired interface • Browse Top, New, Best, Ask HN, Show HN, Jobs, and Polls • Open full story discussions with threaded comments • Search Hacker News stories and discussions • Save stories with bookmarks for later • Use offline-friendly caching for faster repeat visits • View user profiles and activity • Enjoy a focused dark interface designed for mobile reading PREMIUM FEATURES • Sign in to your Hacker News account • Upvote stories and comments • Reply to discussions • Submit posts • Manage your account session from the app • Access RSS tools and advanced power-user features WHY command_line Most Hacker News clients feel outdated, slow, or limited. command_line was rebuilt to feel fast on every revisit, not just the first load. It combines quick browsing, cached reading, dense threaded discussions, and a terminal-style design that stands out from generic news apps. Whether you just want a better way to read Hacker News on mobile or a premium tool for participating in the community, command_line is built to help you move through the news quickly and stay close to the conversation. SUBSCRIPTION / PURCHASE INFO Premium is available as an optional monthly, yearly, or lifetime upgrade. Reading remains free. Premium unlocks account actions and advanced features such as sign-in, voting, replying, posting, and RSS tools. Subscriptions automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription anytime in your App Store account settings.

Screenshots

NetNewsWire4 screens
command_line4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: NetNewsWire at none against command_line's 3. NetNewsWire also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 15 months) and ratings volume (882 vs 2). command_line's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.7) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.0). On price, ads 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. command_line sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. NetNewsWire asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

command_line holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NetNewsWire has 882 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NetNewsWire ships an update monthly, command_line every 15 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
NetNewsWire versus command_line: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNetNewsWirecommand_line
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (882 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews84.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings882 — better2
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 15 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
Best chart rank#141 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS17.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size27 MB39 MB
Age rating17+9+
DeveloperBrent SimmonsDaniel Shaw

Customer experience

NetNewsWire

All ratings882 ratings
Positive93.8%
Neutral2.3%
Negative4.0%
Written reviews326 reviews
Positive84.0%
Neutral7.7%
Negative8.3%

command_line

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

NetNewsWire

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

command_line

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Premium Yearly$39.991 Year
One-time1
  • Premium Lifetime$99.99

Questions

Is NetNewsWire free?
NetNewsWire is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is command_line free?
command_line is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, NetNewsWire or command_line?
command_line is rated higher. NetNewsWire averages 4.7 out of 5 from 882 ratings, while command_line averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do NetNewsWire or command_line have ads?
Neither NetNewsWire nor command_line shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NetNewsWire or command_line?
NetNewsWire ships an update monthly, and command_line every 15 months. Most recently, NetNewsWire was updated on October 12, 2026 and command_line on October 8, 2026.

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