Comparison

Newsweek vs Reason

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

Head to head
About

Newsweek

Access trustworthy, high-quality journalism with live coverage, in-depth analysis, podcasts, and videos. Enjoy the weekly magazine and subscribe to newsletters for daily briefings. Stay informed with breaking news notifications.

Highlights
  • Live and breaking news coverage
  • In-depth analysis of trending topics
  • Podcasts on various subjects
  • Daily briefing newsletter
  • Curated video content
  • Weekly magazine access
  • Customizable newsletter subscriptions
  • Breaking news notifications
Features
Read full description

Newsweek gives independent-minded readers the context, clarity and perspective they need to understand the world. The Newsweek app offers a premium, personalized, ad-free reading experience built for how readers follow the news today. Read trusted reporting, analysis and member-only journalism across politics, world affairs, business, culture, health, science and more — all in one cleaner, faster mobile experience. With the Newsweek app, you can: Discover the latest reporting and analysis from Newsweek Access member-only journalism in one dedicated place Personalize your experience around the topics you care about Search Newsweek coverage by topic, story or area of interest Read in a focused, ad-free experience built for members Existing Newsweek subscribers can sign in with their current credentials. New readers can start with a 14-day free trial. Download the Newsweek app and experience a new home for independent journalism. Terms & Conditions: https://www.newsweek.com/terms-service  Privacy Policy: https://www.newsweek.com/privacy-policy

About

Reason

Access accurate and honest news, ideas, videos, and podcasts from a libertarian perspective. Personalize notifications and stream exclusive content, including documentaries and newsletters.

Highlights
  • Libertarian news and ideas
  • Exclusive videos and documentaries
  • Podcast streaming
  • Personalized news notifications
  • Newsletter access
  • Reason Plus subscription for early magazine access
Features
Read full description

The Reason app helps you stay on top of the news and better understand your world without all the tired left-wing or right-wing spin. You won’t find a better source for accurate and honest news, ideas, videos, and podcasts from a libertarian perspective. Turn on notifications and personalize your settings to get alerts about issues you care about. Stream new episodes of Reason podcasts: The Reason Roundtable, The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie, and The Soho Forum Debates. Click to listen to every article and build your own content playlist. Access Reason’s latest vertical videos. Watch Reason’s documentaries, video essays, and comedy videos, including Remy and Andrew Heaton. Browse Reason’s newsletters: Reason Roundup by Liz Wolfe, The Rattler by J.D. Tuccille, Free Media by Robby Soave, and more. Play Reason’s weekly crossword plus special puzzles when magazine issues publish online. Subscribe to Reason Plus for exclusive early access to new issues of Reason magazine on your phone, tablet, or computer. To join, visit reason.com/subscribe on any browser.

Screenshots

Newsweek4 screens
Reason4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Reason at 100% against Newsweek's 23%. Reason also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 10) and rating (4.8 vs 4.5). Newsweek's advantage is ratings volume (1.6K vs 284). On price, update cadence, ads and chart position 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. Newsweek sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Reason asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Reason holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Newsweek has 1.6K ratings behind it against 284, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 23% of Newsweek's written reviews are positive against 100% of Reason's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Newsweek versus Reason: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNewsweekReason
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (1.6K ratings)4.8 (284 ratings) — better
Positive reviews23.1% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.6K — better284
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#119 — better#135
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size29 MB27 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperNewsweek Publishing LLCReason

Customer experience

Newsweek

All ratings1,488 ratings
Positive89.2%
Neutral5.3%
Negative5.5%
Written reviews299 reviews
Positive23.1%
Neutral7.7%
Negative69.2%

Reason

All ratings284 ratings
Positive96.8%
Neutral2.5%
Negative0.7%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Newsweek

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App not recognizing active subscriptions
  • Inability to download/access latest issues
  • Frequent crashes and freezes
  • Outdated content remaining stuck in the app

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to change font size
  • Landscape mode support
  • Offline reading mode
  • Search functionality
  • Improved navigation and issue management

Reason

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Newsweek

Subscriptions4
  • Newsweek - 1 month1 Month trial$2.991 Month
  • Newsweek$3.991 Month
  • Newsweek - 1 year1 Month trial$24.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Newsweek1 Month trial$39.991 Year
One-time6
  • June 28 & July 5, 2010$0.99
  • August 23 & 30, 2010$0.99
  • Sept 27, 2010$0.99
Show 3 more
  • September 5, 2011$0.99
  • Newsweek January 23, 2012 issue$1.99
  • Newsweek August 27, 2012 issue$4.99
None

Reason

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Newsweek free?
Newsweek is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Reason free?
Reason is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Newsweek or Reason?
Reason is rated higher. Newsweek averages 4.5 out of 5 from 1.6K ratings, while Reason averages 4.8 from 284 ratings.
Do Newsweek or Reason have ads?
Neither Newsweek nor Reason shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Newsweek or Reason?
Newsweek ships an update every 4 months, and Reason every 4 months. Most recently, Newsweek was updated on October 21, 2026 and Reason on October 18, 2026.
Which is more popular, Newsweek or Reason?
Newsweek currently peaks at #119 in the App Store charts, and Reason at #135. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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