# EL NORTE vs CNN

The clearest difference is rating: CNN at 4.8 against EL NORTE's 2.9. CNN also leads on ratings volume (1.7M vs 14) and chart position (#4 vs #152). EL NORTE's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. EL NORTE sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days and CNN sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

CNN holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 2.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CNN has 1.7M ratings behind it against 14, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 23% of EL NORTE's written reviews are positive against 25% of CNN's.

EL NORTE ships an update every 3 weeks, CNN fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | EL NORTE | CNN |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.9 (14 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/el-norte/id322378564/reviews) | **[4.8 (1.7M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cnn-live-and-breaking-news/id331786748/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 14 | **1.7M** |
| Positive reviews | 23.3% of reviews | **24.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #152 | **#4** |
| Size | 64 MB | 222 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV |
| Age rating | 12+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Editora el Sol](https://appshunter.io/developer/322378567) | [CNN Interactive Group, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/331786752) |

## What reviewers say

### EL NORTE

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/el-norte/id322378564)

**Currently charting:** #152 Top Grossing · Magazines & Newspapers (US App Store)

Access independent journalism with a comprehensive news app. Enjoy video content, save articles, listen to news on the go, and receive breaking news alerts. Read the digital printed edition and engage in discussions.

**Highlights:** All content on one app, Free video content access, Favorites section for articles, Listen to articles module, Breaking news alerts, Digital printed edition, Comment and share features

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| El Norte | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| El Norte | $20.99 | per month |
| El Norte | $179.99 | per year |


### CNN

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cnn-live-and-breaking-news/id331786748)

**Currently charting:** #4 Top Free · Magazines & Newspapers, #6 Top Grossing · Magazines & Newspapers, #10 Top Grossing · News, #14 Top Free · News (US App Store)

Access breaking news, in-depth analysis, and live reporting from trusted journalists. Stay informed with articles, videos, podcasts, and live audio, covering global events, politics, health, and more.

**Highlights:** Breaking news alerts, Live video streaming, In-depth analysis, Podcasts and live audio, Customizable notifications, Short-form video content

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| CNN Monthly Subscription | $3.99 | per month |
| All Access (Monthly) | $6.99 | per month |
| CNN Annual Subscription | $29.99 | per year |
| All Access (Annual) | $69.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Comprehensive news coverage
- 👍 Unbiased and factual reporting
- 🌍 Worldwide news perspective
- 💡 Innovative features like Magic Wall
- 🔍 Reliable and trustworthy source

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes and freezes
- 🔗 Overly sensitive embedded links
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 📺 Too many ads and commercials
- 🕰️ Slow loading times

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to continue listening to audio/music while using the app
- Inconsistent behavior when scrolling through articles
- Difficulty accessing live streams outside the US
- Outdated news stories remaining at the top of category feeds

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Improved article navigation without accidental link triggers
- Ability to customize news categories
- Offline reading mode
- Faster updates for breaking news


## Frequently asked questions

### Is EL NORTE free?

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

### Is CNN free?

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

### Which has better reviews, EL NORTE or CNN?

CNN is rated higher. EL NORTE averages 2.9 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while CNN averages 4.8 from 1.7M ratings.

### Do EL NORTE or CNN have ads?

CNN shows ads; EL NORTE does not.

### Which is updated more often, EL NORTE or CNN?

EL NORTE ships an update every 3 weeks, and CNN fortnightly. Most recently, EL NORTE was updated on October 27, 2026 and CNN on October 28, 2026.

### Which is more popular, EL NORTE or CNN?

EL NORTE currently peaks at #152 in the App Store charts, and CNN at #4. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*