# Top Now vs HNreader

The clearest difference is update cadence: Top Now at fortnightly against HNreader's every 27 months. Top Now also leads on iOS requirement (13.1 vs 17.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Top Now ships an update fortnightly, HNreader every 27 months. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Top Now | HNreader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 27 months |
| Size | 2 MB | 5 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.1** | 17.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [FIREBASE S A S](https://appshunter.io/developer/906558272) | [Jahn Bertsch](https://appshunter.io/developer/571241368) |

## What reviewers say

### Top Now

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/top-now/id1486916333)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### HNreader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hnreader-tech-news/id1498482288)

**Features:** Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Top Now free?

Top Now is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is HNreader free?

HNreader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Top Now or HNreader have ads?

Neither Top Now nor HNreader shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Top Now or HNreader?

Top Now ships an update fortnightly, and HNreader every 27 months. Most recently, Top Now was updated on November 3, 2026 and HNreader on November 3, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*