NewsTap Lite (Usenet Reader) vs Mlem for Lemmy
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
NewsTap Lite (Usenet Reader)
This app is a Usenet newsreader for iOS devices, optimized for offline use. It allows users to download and read articles, post new ones, and follow discussions easily. Binary group support and customizable filters are included.
- Optimized for offline usage
- Supports binary groups
- Article filters
- Automatic hyperlink detection
- Discussion tree view
- Post new articles/follow-ups
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NewsTap Lite is a Usenet Newsreader for the iPhone, iPad and the iPod Touch. "NewsTap Lite" is the free version of the "NewsTap" App. "NewsTap Lite" is a fully functional Usenet Newsreader, but it does not support all features of the "NewsTap" App. The Lite version only supports one server and can only subscribe to two group. Features of NewsTap Lite: - Optimized for offline usage. Download and send out articles in one go and then you can read and write articles completely offline. - Supports binary groups with photos and other files. - Supports filters to mark articles as read or mark them with a certain color. - Hyperlinks are automatically detected and can be opened in a web browser. - Optimized article layout for the small iPhone display. The original article layout is also available. - A „tree view“ of a whole discussion makes is super easy to follow even large discussions. - Highly customizable. - Post new articles or send follow-ups. - Build-in help. For more screenshots please look at the developers web site. Please check out the full version if you want to read more than 2 groups, need newsrc syncing and if you do not want to see iAds.
Mlem for Lemmy
Experience the Fediverse through a native iOS app designed for seamless interaction with all major Lemmy instances. Enjoy powerful features like swipe actions, quick account switching, and extensive customization for an optimized mobile experience.
- Native iOS Swift development
- Lemmy instance compatibility
- Swipe actions
- Account quick-switching
- Customization options
- Optimized backend
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Mlem for Lemmy is beautiful, smooth, and compatible with all major Lemmy instances. Written fully in iOS' native Swift, Mlem lets you experience Lemmy while taking advantage of the best your device has to offer. With powerful, easy-to-use features such as swipe actions and account quick-switching, a robust set of customizations, and a highly optimized backend, Mlem offers the mobile Lemmy experience you deserve!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Mlem for Lemmy at 80% against NewsTap Lite (Usenet Reader)'s 33%. Mlem for Lemmy also leads on rating (4.6 vs 2.9) and monetization model (free vs freemium). NewsTap Lite (Usenet Reader)'s advantage is iOS requirement (10.0 vs 26.0). 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Mlem for Lemmy holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 2.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Mlem for Lemmy has 84 ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 33% of NewsTap Lite (Usenet Reader)'s written reviews are positive against 80% of Mlem for Lemmy's.
NewsTap Lite (Usenet Reader) ships an update every 2 months, Mlem for Lemmy every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | NewsTap Lite (Usenet Reader) | Mlem for Lemmy |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.9 (9 ratings) | 4.6 (84 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews | 80.4% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 9 | 84 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 10.0 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 71 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Alexander Clauss | Eric Andrews |
Customer experience
NewsTap Lite (Usenet Reader)
Mlem for Lemmy
Bugs and requests
NewsTap Lite (Usenet Reader)
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Mlem for Lemmy
Reported bugs
19 issues- Cannot validate username for account creation
- Loses progress when switching to another app while composing a post/reply
- App bounces back to the subscribed feeds list in various situations
- New bugs introduced with each update
- Embedded content (videos) only show as links
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- Changing font size via iOS Accessibility settings breaks drag and drop functionality
- Media type label in the lower left corner covers parts of the image
- App crashes frequently
- Jittery scrolling on ProMotion enabled iPhones
- Cannot log out of an account without deleting it
- Requires signing back into the instance every time an external link is followed
- No way to change font size
- Timeline is a mess
- Unable to save images
- Unable to zoom in on images
- Unable to load images on their own without comments
- Bad app icon (furry)
- No full screen for pictures, always goes to post
- Login required from the start for some users
Requested features
19 requests- Customizability for each feed type (e.g., bold headlines)
- Larger card view option
- Compact view option
- Option to customize gestures
- Fix embedded content to be playable
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- Fix font size breaking drag and drop
- Option to not display media type label or hide it
- Mark inbox as read automatically
- Hide post option
- Customizable swipe options on posts
- Cross-post functionality
- Set Reader mode as default for links
- Ability to zoom out on pictures
- Ability to save images
- Search for posts within a community
- Block communities from post options menu
- Filter instances option
- Collapse all comments by default
- Up/Down votes on the right side
In-app purchases
NewsTap Lite (Usenet Reader)
No in-app purchases
Mlem for Lemmy
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is NewsTap Lite (Usenet Reader) free?
Is Mlem for Lemmy free?
Which has better reviews, NewsTap Lite (Usenet Reader) or Mlem for Lemmy?
Do NewsTap Lite (Usenet Reader) or Mlem for Lemmy have ads?
Which is updated more often, NewsTap Lite (Usenet Reader) or Mlem for Lemmy?
Other comparisons
