First News vs Orbiri Screen
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
First News
This app provides children with a balanced and truthful view of world events, written by award-winning journalists. It offers interactive articles, daily curated news, puzzles, games, and a video platform with news explainers to foster curiosity and critical thinking.
- Weekly 28-page interactive newspaper edition
- Searchable archive of past issues
- Hundreds of news explainer videos
- Weekly topical quiz with avatar and leaderboard
- Interactive puzzles linked to current news
- Daily news feed with age-appropriate articles
- Weekly polls and competitions
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For 20 years, First News has provided trusted & impartial age-appropriate news to kids around the world. Our award-winning weekly newspaper is jam-packed with headlines, sport, entertainment, world news and more. App features: READ: weekly 28-page edition of First News with interactive features, plus a searchable archive. WATCH: hundreds of videos, including news explainers presented by children for children. CHALLENGE: play interactive word and number puzzles. Subscribers can also play the weekly news quiz, based on the latest issue of the paper. STAY AHEAD: read or listen to 3 daily news articles from the UK and around the world. SHARE YOUR OPINION: weekly polls encouraging children to form their own opinions and get their voices heard. Terms of use: https://www.firstnews.co.uk/terms/
Orbiri Screen
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Orbiri Screen works with the Orbiri Parent app to bring families and schools together around shared digital boundaries, helping children learn healthier screen habits - together - and giving childhood more room to breathe. Instead of individual rules, negotiations or bans, Orbiri’s shared boundaries feel normal, fair and easy to understand, because everyone follows the same structure. Benefits: - Simple setup - just opt in to your community’s shared boundaries - Fewer daily screen-time battles and negotiations - More focus in school and calmer routines at home - Healthier long-term digital habits, built gradually - Less pressure on children to “keep up” with friends - More time for play, learning and real-world connection - Request more time if really needed Privacy: Orbiri Screen does not read messages, view content or track individual app activity. It applies time-based boundaries only, as set through the Orbiri Parent app and your community. More information can be found at www.orbiri.com/privacy-policy Important to know: - Orbiri Screen works only with Orbiri Parent. - Orbiri Parent should be installed on the parent device before installing this app on the child’s device. - Orbiri Screen must be installed by a parent or carer. - Orbiri Screen is designed for use on a child’s device. Key features: - Orbiri Spaces Apps and websites are grouped into clear Spaces by purpose, like School, Play, Social Media or Entertainment. - Time-based access Each Space opens and closes at set times of day to support focus, rest and healthy routines. - Daily time limits Time spent in each Space is limited, encouraging balance in a way that feels fair and consistent for children. - School Space During school hours, only learning and essential apps defined by your child’s school remain available, so distractions fade into the background. - Community downtime All Spaces close together during downtime, helping children switch off properly and recharge. - App & website whitelisting Only approved, age-appropriate apps and websites are accessible within each Space. All other content is blocked by default, removing the need to constantly chase after workarounds. - Child-inclusive by design Boundaries are visible and consistent, so expectations feel clear and fair. - Built to grow Boundaries adjust by school year, giving children more independence as they get older. - Always-on essentials Low-risk, high-importance apps stay available at all times.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Orbiri Screen at none against First News's 7. On price, update cadence, 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
Both are free to download. First News sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $5.49 per month. Orbiri Screen asks for nothing beyond the download.
First News ships an update every 6 months, Orbiri Screen every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | First News | Orbiri Screen |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (22 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 73.9% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 22 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | Every 5 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 16.6 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 23 MB | 26 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | First News | ORBIRI LIMITED |
In-app purchases
First News
- 1 Month Subscription$5.491 Month
- 1-month subscription$9.991 Month
- 3 Month Subscription$24.493 Months
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- 3-month subscription$28.493 Months
- 6 Month subscription$43.996 Months
- 6-month subscription$53.996 Months
- 1 Year Subscription$79.991 Year
Orbiri Screen
No in-app purchases









