Comparison

Ad Age vs Forbes

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

Head to head
About

Ad Age

Stay informed with breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insights on marketing, advertising, media, and creative trends. Receive real-time alerts to keep you ahead of industry changes. Access limited content for free, with subscription options for full features.

Highlights
  • Breaking news alerts
  • In-depth analysis
  • Industry insights
  • Creative work showcases
  • Podcasts and videos
  • Exclusive data reports
Features
Read full description

Ad Age delivers breaking news, in-depth analysis, and must-know insights on marketers, ad agencies, media, ad tech, creator trends, AI initiatives—and the best creative work from around the world. Get real-time alerts when news breaks, ensuring you're always informed and prepared for what’s next. The Ad Age app is free to download and provides limited access to articles. Subscribers unlock unlimited access to standard articles, podcasts, and videos. Ad Age All Access members gain even more, including Agency Review Tracker, exclusive data-driven reports, annual rankings and forecasts you won’t find anywhere else. Since 1930, Ad Age has been the industry’s go-to resource for news, insights, analysis, and events, helping marketing and advertising leaders navigate an ever-changing landscape. Download the Ad Age app today and stay at the forefront of the industry.

About

Forbes

Access actionable business news, in-depth reporting, and market insights across entrepreneurship, investing, and technology. Stay informed with breaking news, curated content, and powerful search tools to navigate a rapidly evolving world.

Highlights
  • Actionable business news
  • In-depth reporting
  • Market-moving insights
  • Breaking news alerts
  • Tabbed content channels
  • Enhanced search functionality
  • Article saving
Features
Read full description

Download the Forbes app for actionable business news, insights, and trusted journalism—plus daily word puzzles with Frase by Forbes™. Stay up to date on the stories that shape industries, change landscapes, and define conversations, with bold and in-depth reporting across entrepreneurship, business, investing, technology, and more. Editorial Features: Immerse yourself in market-moving insights, cutting-edge strategies, and timely analysis trusted by the world's top leaders and trailblazers shaping the global economy. • Home Feed: Access popular content, daily cover stories, and editors' picks designed to keep you updated on key news. • Breaking News: Follow live stories unfolding in real-time with infinite scroll to easily explore past news. • Tabbed Channels: Browse across dedicated content channels with a refreshed, intuitive layout. • Smarter Search: Instantly discover articles, topics, and breaking news with enhanced search tools. • Article Saving: Easily bookmark and access your favorite stories wherever you are. Puzzles & Games (Frase by Forbes™): Challenge your brain, test your wordplay skills, and unwind with engaging daily games designed for sharp minds on the go. • Dedicated Play Tab: Discover and play daily word puzzles directly from the bottom navigation bar. • Track Your Progress: Keep tabs on your completion times, scores, daily streaks, and earned medals. • Multi-Year Archive: Access a full historical calendar to catch up on and play past puzzles. For more than a century, Forbes has been the authoritative voice in business, providing the insight and analysis needed to navigate a rapidly evolving world, empowering those who shape what's next to think even bigger and better. With the Forbes app, you have the intelligence, knowledge, inspiration, and tools necessary to achieve success. By downloading the Forbes app, you accept and agree to our Terms of Service and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. Forbes Terms of Service: https://www.forbes.com/terms/ Forbes Privacy Policy: https://www.forbes.com/fdc/privacy.html

Screenshots

Ad Age4 screens
Forbes4 screens

Verdict

The call

Ad Age and Forbes both sit at 4.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 80% of Forbes's written reviews are positive against 30% of Ad Age's. Forbes also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 8 months) and chart position (#145 vs unranked). Ad Age's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). On price, rating, ratings volume 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. Forbes sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month. Ad Age asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Ad Age against 4.8 for Forbes. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 328 and 170 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 30% of Ad Age's written reviews are positive against 80% of Forbes's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Ad Age ships an update every 8 months, Forbes every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Ad Age versus Forbes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAd AgeForbes
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (328 ratings)4.8 (170 ratings) — better
Positive reviews30.0% of reviews80.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings328 — better170
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
Best chart rank—#145 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.1
Further details — not scored
Size124 MB98 MB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperCrain Communications, Inc.Forbes Media LLC

Customer experience

Ad Age

All ratings328 ratings
Positive93.9%
Neutral3.0%
Negative3.0%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive30.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative70.0%

Forbes

All ratings170 ratings
Positive95.3%
Neutral1.2%
Negative3.5%
Written reviews15 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%

In-app purchases

None

Ad Age

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Forbes

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly7 Days trial$12.991 Month
  • Annual7 Days trial$89.001 Year

Questions

Is Ad Age free?
Ad Age is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Forbes free?
Forbes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Ad Age or Forbes?
Forbes is rated higher. Ad Age averages 4.8 out of 5 from 328 ratings, while Forbes averages 4.8 from 170 ratings.
Do Ad Age or Forbes have ads?
Forbes shows ads; Ad Age does not.
Which is updated more often, Ad Age or Forbes?
Ad Age ships an update every 8 months, and Forbes every 3 weeks. Most recently, Ad Age was updated on October 22, 2026 and Forbes on October 25, 2026.

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