# Universalis vs EWTN

The clearest difference is price: EWTN at Free against Universalis's $9.99. EWTN also leads on ratings volume (35K vs 9.4K). Universalis's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and chart position (#4 vs unranked). On rating, review sentiment, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

EWTN is free to download; Universalis costs $9.99 up front. Universalis sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and EWTN sells 31 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Universalis against 4.9 for EWTN. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9.4K and 35K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 95% of Universalis's written reviews are positive against 90% of EWTN's.

Universalis ships an update every 3 weeks, EWTN every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Universalis | EWTN |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $9.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.9 (9.4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universalis/id284942719/reviews) | [4.9 (35K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ewtn/id569376490/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 9.4K | **35K** |
| Positive reviews | **94.6% of reviews** | 90.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 4 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#4** | — |
| Size | 79 MB | 73 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple TV** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Universalis Publishing](https://appshunter.io/developer/284942722) | [EWTN Religious Catalogue](https://appshunter.io/developer/569376493) |

## What reviewers say

### Universalis

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universalis/id284942719)

**Currently charting:** #4 Top Paid · Lifestyle (US App Store)

This app provides the Liturgy of the Hours and Mass readings for every day, along with additional spiritual content. It offers offline access, customizable display options, and optional spoken audio. It's designed for daily prayer and spiritual enrichment.

**Highlights:** Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office), Daily Mass readings and prayers, Offline access, Customizable display (fonts, themes), Spiritual reading and commentaries, Optional spoken audio add-on

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Daily Mass Readings | $1.99 | per month |
| Daytime Hours | $2.99 | per month |
| All Hours | $2.99 | per month |
| Daily Mass Readings | $19.99 | per year |
| Daytime Hours | $29.99 | per year |
| All Hours | $29.99 | per year |
| Add-on translation: RSV Hours | $1.99 | one-time |
| Sung Latin Compline | $3.99 | one-time |
| Revelations of Divine Love | $5.99 | one-time |
| Journey into Light | $5.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🙏 Wonderful Catholic app
- 🙌 Great app for Catholic devotions
- 📚 This is a wonderful app for the laity
- 🙏 Excellent resource for Mass and Liturgy of the Hours
- 🌟 Comprehensive and easy to use

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🤔 Hymns selection could be improved
- 🤔 Navigation can be confusing
- 🤔 Kenyan version text does not match book
- 🤔 Difficult to navigate, missing menu buttons

**Reported bugs**

- Gospel readings sometimes incorrect
- App crashes when trying to change hymns or readings

**Requested features**

- Add Salesian saints and young saints
- Include NAB translation for US users
- Add option for 1962 liturgical calendar
- Improve hymn selection, especially for seasons
- Implement more inclusive language in prayers


### EWTN

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ewtn/id569376490)

Access live and on-demand Catholic television and radio programming. Explore news, program schedules, and a free audio version of the Gospel of Mark. Offers a premium audio New Testament with celebrity voices and synchronized text.

**Highlights:** Live TV and Radio Streams, On-demand TV and Radio Programs, Catholic News, Program Schedule, Free Gospel of Mark Audio, Premium Audio New Testament

**In-app purchases (31)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| CHAPLET OF ST. MICHAEL | $0.99 | one-time |
| Padre Pio: He Bore Christ’S Wo | $0.99 | one-time |
| A Wolf In Sheep’S Clothing | $1.99 | one-time |
| Called And Chosen | $1.99 | one-time |
| Saint Bridget Of Sweden | $1.99 | one-time |
| Hope - Our Lady Of Knock (rent) | $1.99 | one-time |
| MIRACLES OF PADRE PIO (rent) | $1.99 | one-time |
| GUADALUPE MYSTERIES (rent) | $1.99 | one-time |
| MOTHER CABRINI (rent) | $1.99 | one-time |
| THE HIDDEN SHRINE (rent) | $1.99 | one-time |
| GREGORIAN MUSIC OF ANGELS(rent | $1.99 | one-time |
| Tolkien - An Unexpected Friend | $1.99 | one-time |
| SAINT ROSE OF LIMA (rent) | $1.99 | one-time |
| Saint Martin De Porres | $1.99 | one-time |
| Kateri | $1.99 | one-time |
| Cabrini And The Heart Of Jesus | $1.99 | one-time |
| I AM W/ YOU-CARLO ACUTIS(rent) | $1.99 | one-time |
| The Message Of Fatima | $2.99 | one-time |
| Chaplet Of Divine Mercy | $2.99 | one-time |
| Saints Vs. Scoundrels | $2.99 | one-time |
| The Heresies (rent) | $2.99 | one-time |
| They Might Be Saints (rent) | $2.99 | one-time |
| The Case For Marriage | $2.99 | one-time |
| EXPLORE W MIRACLE HUNTER(rent) | $2.99 | one-time |
| Straubinger New Testament Audio | $4.99 | one-time |
| A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing | $9.99 | one-time |
| THE HOLY ROSARY WITH MOTHER ANGELICA (buy) | $9.99 | one-time |
| Chaplet Of Divine Mercy | $14.99 | one-time |
| The “Reformation” - buy | $14.99 | one-time |
| Liturgy Of The Hours For Lay P | $14.99 | one-time |
| New Testament Audio Package | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🙏 Strengthens Catholic faith
- 🕍 Provides access to daily Mass and prayers
- 🎥 Variety of inspiring programs and documentaries
- 📖 Easy access to Bible and religious content
- 🤗 Comforting and uplifting during difficult times

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional technical issues with streaming and app crashes
- 🔍 Confusing navigation and layout changes
- 🕰️ Slow loading of on-demand content
- 🔇 Loss of some audio-only programs

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to access certain American channels
- Inconsistent performance on older devices

**Requested features**

- Improved Chromecast support
- More personalization options
- Better organization of on-demand content
- Easier access to program schedules


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Universalis free?

Universalis costs $9.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is EWTN free?

EWTN is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Universalis or EWTN?

Universalis and EWTN are both rated 4.9 out of 5 on the App Store, from 9.4K and 35K ratings respectively.

### Do Universalis or EWTN have ads?

EWTN shows ads; Universalis does not.

### Which is updated more often, Universalis or EWTN?

Universalis ships an update every 3 weeks, and EWTN every 4 weeks. Most recently, Universalis was updated on September 23, 2026 and EWTN on September 24, 2026.

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