Comparison

LA Times vs Roundtable (RTB)

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

Head to head
About

LA Times

Access award-winning journalism, breaking news, and in-depth coverage of California and global events. Browse digital content or the eNewspaper, save articles, and watch exclusive videos. Stay informed with curated news feeds and push notifications.

Highlights
  • Award-winning journalism
  • Breaking news alerts
  • Digital content browsing
  • eNewspaper access
  • Save articles to 'My Library'
  • Exclusive video content
Features
Read full description

Get the trustworthy news you need everywhere you go with the Los Angeles Times app. Receive instant access to our award-winning journalism, breaking news, politics, the best in food, entertainment, events and more for Southern California and the world. Updated with a new design, the L.A. Times app gives you the option of browsing our digital content or paging through the eNewspaper. Our content includes in-depth coverage of Los Angeles, California and the West; exclusive narrative storytelling such as “Column One”; revitalized reporting on the latest in food and dining; a unique take on politics and the 2020 campaign; comprehensive coverage of the arts, pop culture and the entertainment industry; on and off-season reporting on L.A.’s home teams and major sports events. New tools include “My Library,” to save your own reading list, and a video section to access the latest short documentaries and other videos. Download the iOS app to experience our new digital publishing platform. APP FEATURES: • Top News: Scan a curated feed of the most important news as it happens • Push notifications: Get the latest news from our newsroom as soon as stories break • eNewspaper experience: Download today’s issue for offline reading and browse archives of past issues • Video section: Enjoy exclusive video • My Library: View saved stories and view your recent activity • Share content easily with Twitter, Facebook, or email SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS: • If you’re a current digital subscriber, sign in with your email address and password to get unlimited access to the app’s content. • Non-subscribers, download the app a select number of stories stories each month. For full access, try a free month of Unlimited Digital Access to the app, the L.A. Times website, and our eNewspaper; then it's only $15.99 a month. Make sure to create a registration while in the app so you'll be able to log in to the website and eNewspaper when you visit them in web browsers. • Your subscription automatically renews each month unless auto-renew is turned off within your Account Settings at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. • Your iTunes account will be charged $15.99 for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period. • No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during active subscription period. • Subscriptions may be managed by the user by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase • Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable • You can read our Privacy Policy here: https://www.latimes.com/privacy-policy • You can read our Terms of Service here: https://www.latimes.com/terms-of-service • CA Notice of Collection - https://www.latimes.com/privacy-policy#california-notice-of-collection • Do Not Sell My Info - https://membership.latimes.com/privacy-settings • Questions about your subscription, including adding or removing access to the L.A. Times website from your app access, can be directed to Customer Service: 213-347-5300. TECHNICAL HELP AND ASSISTANCE: If you ever have questions about how the app works, want to provide helpful feedback, or experience crashes or freezes after installing an update, please contact us at mobile@latimes.com. A quick email to our support team helps our developers identify and resolve issues faster. We work hard to make sure you have the best experience using our app.

About

Roundtable (RTB)

This platform connects passionate fans and curious thinkers with expert-led discussions on sports, politics, health, and crypto. Follow breaking news, insider reporting, and engage in high-signal conversations without bots or noise.

Highlights
  • Expert-led sports coverage
  • Breaking news and insider reporting
  • Community discussion forums
  • Politics and public policy updates
  • Health and medical developments
  • Crypto and blockchain investing news
Features
Read full description

FOLLOW YOUR TEAM. LEAD THE CONVERSATION. Roundtable is the expert-led sports, news, and community platform built for passionate fans of the biggest teams in the world — and curious thinkers. From March Madness brackets to NFL free agency, NBA playoff races, MLB Opening Day, and Champions League drama — Roundtable connects you with real journalists and insiders covering: ► NFL — Cowboys, Chiefs, 49ers, Eagles, Jets, Seahawks, Packers ► NBA — Lakers, Warriors, Celtics, Knicks, Heat ► MLB — Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox, Braves, Cubs, Mets ► NCAA — Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State, Texas, March Madness ► SOCCER — Man Utd, Chelsea, Celtic, Arsenal, Liverpool, PSG Track breaking news, trade rumors, bracket updates, playoff analysis, and live fan conversations — all in one place. MORE THAN SPORTS Roundtable also features expert-led coverage and community discussion around: ● Politics and public policy ● Health and medical developments ● Crypto and blockchain investing ● National and global breaking news Whether you're debating NBA seeding, discussing election strategy, or following crypto markets — Roundtable brings together serious voices and passionate communities. REAL EXPERTS. REAL DISCUSSION. Roundtable unites you with invite-only journalists and professionals who deliver: ● Breaking news & insider reporting ● In-depth analysis and video ● Market and policy commentary ● Community-driven discussion No bots. No noise. Just high-signal conversation led by experts. BUILT FOR INDEPENDENT THINKING Our secure, censorship-resistant platform empowers expert voices and engaged communities to speak freely and lead meaningful conversations. Download Roundtable today and join your team’s community — in sports, news, and beyond.

Screenshots

LA Times4 screens
Roundtable (RTB)4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Roundtable (RTB) at 100% against LA Times's 29%. Roundtable (RTB) also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 7) and rating (5.0 vs 4.6). LA Times's advantage is ratings volume (20K vs 14) and chart position (#16 vs unranked). On price, update cadence, ads 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. LA Times sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Roundtable (RTB) asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Roundtable (RTB) holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: LA Times has 20K ratings behind it against 14, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 29% of LA Times's written reviews are positive against 100% of Roundtable (RTB)'s.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

LA Times ships an update every 4 weeks, Roundtable (RTB) every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
LA Times versus Roundtable (RTB): the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLA TimesRoundtable (RTB)
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (20K ratings)5.0 (14 ratings) — better
Positive reviews29.4% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings20K — better14
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeksEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationSubscriptionAd-supported — better
Best chart rank#16 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS16.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size36 MB172 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperLos Angeles Times Communications LLCRTB Digital, Inc.

Customer experience

LA Times

All ratings19,566 ratings
Positive90.8%
Neutral3.7%
Negative5.6%
Written reviews126 reviews
Positive29.4%
Neutral10.3%
Negative60.3%

Roundtable (RTB)

All ratings14 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

LA Times

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Images not loading properly
  • Frequent crashes and freezes
  • Paywall issues preventing access to content
  • Sync problems between app and website

Requested features

5 requests
  • Customizable news feed and section ordering
  • Offline reading mode
  • Better integration with subscription accounts
  • Improved article navigation and scrolling
  • Accessibility features for visually impaired users

Roundtable (RTB)

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

7 purchases

LA Times

Subscriptions5
  • Stage News App Only$4.991 Month
  • News App Only$4.991 Month
  • Unlimited Digital Access3 Months trial$5.991 Month
Show 2 more
  • Unlimited Access - Stage App$7.991 Month
  • Unlimited Digital Access1 Month trial$15.991 Month
One-time2
  • Jonathan Gold's 101 List$2.99
  • Jonathan Gold's 101 List for 2016$2.99
None

Roundtable (RTB)

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is LA Times free?
LA Times is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Roundtable (RTB) free?
Roundtable (RTB) is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, LA Times or Roundtable (RTB)?
Roundtable (RTB) is rated higher. LA Times averages 4.6 out of 5 from 20K ratings, while Roundtable (RTB) averages 5.0 from 14 ratings.
Do LA Times or Roundtable (RTB) have ads?
Both LA Times and Roundtable (RTB) show ads.
Which is updated more often, LA Times or Roundtable (RTB)?
LA Times ships an update every 4 weeks, and Roundtable (RTB) every 3 weeks. Most recently, LA Times was updated on September 28, 2026 and Roundtable (RTB) on September 21, 2026.

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