Comparison

Newslaundry vs Waves News

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

Head to head
About

Newslaundry

Access independent, reader-supported news through engaging formats like podcasts, documentaries, and in-depth reports. Enjoy an ad-free experience with features like offline saving and personalized notifications.

Highlights
  • Ad-free news consumption
  • In-depth media critique
  • Podcast player with advanced features
  • Subscriber-only stories and events
  • Save articles and podcasts for later
  • Personalized notifications
  • Dark mode
Features
Read full description

Newslaundry is a reader-supported, independent news media company. In an industry driven by corporate and government interests, we strongly believe in the need for an independent news model, and a free and accountable press. Through media critique, reportage, podcasts, documentaries, comics and animation, our stories bring you the latest in current affairs in innovative and engaging formats. Here are our core values: Ad-free: At Newslaundry, you get to bypass the digital clutter and go straight to the story. Focus on media: The media holds democracy to account, but what about the media itself? We believe news organisations should be accountable, including us. Our stories on the media are driven by that belief. Substance, not breaking: We believe in bringing our readers the stories behind the headlines, through thoughtfully-researched deep dives and ground reports. Community, not pageviews: Our community of subscribers is more than any metric. We have learned from their feedback and criticism and owe where we are today entirely to them. Transparency: Readers deserve transparency from their news sources. Here's what you can do on the app: Podcast player: Download, skip to chapters, playback speed, show notes, queue. Access your favorite Newslaundry podcasts with a host of features. In-app subscription: Subscribe and power our independent journalism on the app. Dark mode: Dark mode fans, we have you covered Paywall stories: Access all our subscriber-only stories and events, with a one-time login. Save for later: Save stories stories and podcast for later for offline or online Personalized notifications: You get to pick your notifications. Choose between a variety of shows, authors and sections. No ads: You know how it feel about ads so no ads, anywhere Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Terms of Services: https://www.newslaundry.com/terms-of-services Privacy Policy: https://www.newslaundry.com/privacy-payment-and-comment-policy

About

Waves News

Features
Read full description

Stay informed in under 2 minutes. Waves delivers AI-curated audio news briefings personalized to the topics you care about — AI & tech, business, sports, politics, crypto, health, and more. • 1–2 minute audio stories, no fluff • Personalized feed that learns your interests • English and Spanish content • Listen on iOS, background playback, lock screen controls • Breaking news notifications for your topics • Share any briefing with a public link Built for busy people who want to stay informed without doom-scrolling or 30-minute podcasts. Terms of Use: https://waves.news/terms Privacy Policy: https://waves.news/privacy Waves Premium is an auto-renewable subscription. Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account. Subscription automatically renews unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel subscriptions in your Account Settings on the App Store.

Screenshots

Newslaundry4 screens
Waves News3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Waves News at fortnightly against Newslaundry's monthly. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Newslaundry sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month and Waves News sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Newslaundry ships an update monthly, Waves News fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Newslaundry versus Waves News: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNewslaundryWaves News
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (72 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews58.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings72 — better—
Update frequencyMonthlyFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.115.0.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size98 MB39 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperNews Laundry Media Private LimitedMaria Pia Fletcher

In-app purchases

11 purchases

Newslaundry

Subscriptions3
  • NL-TNM Joint Monthly$14.991 Month
  • Disruptor Yearly Subscription$40.991 Year
  • NL-TNM Joint Yearly$149.991 Year
One-time8
  • Yogi Who Has It All - Soldier$10.99
  • The Yogi Who Has It All Bishop$27.99
  • Disruptor 1 Year Subscription$49.99
Show 5 more
  • The Yogi Who Has It All Knight$109.99
  • The Yogi Who Has It All - Rook$219.99
  • Bulldozing Image MP King/Queen$349.99
  • The Yogi Who Has It All - King$349.99
  • The Yogi Who Has It All - GM$599.99
2 purchases

Waves News

Subscriptions2
  • Waves News Pro$3.991 Month
  • Waves News Pro$35.001 Year

Questions

Is Newslaundry free?
Newslaundry is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Waves News free?
Waves News is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Newslaundry or Waves News have ads?
Neither Newslaundry nor Waves News shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Newslaundry or Waves News?
Newslaundry ships an update monthly, and Waves News fortnightly. Most recently, Newslaundry was updated on October 25, 2026 and Waves News on October 19, 2026.

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