Comparison

Chicago Tribune vs WordReader

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

Head to head
About

Chicago Tribune

Access essential Chicago news, sports, business, and entertainment coverage. Customize your feed, receive breaking news alerts, and enjoy exclusive content like videos and photo galleries. Save articles for later and read offline.

Highlights
  • Personalized news feed
  • Breaking news notifications
  • Exclusive videos and photo galleries
  • Save stories for offline reading
  • Share stories easily
  • iPad visual news view
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Now there's a simple, elegant and customizable way to get essential Chicago Tribune news, sports, business and entertainment coverage on your iPhone or iPad. FEATURES: • Stay informed with Chicago's best source of news, sports, business and entertainment • Sign up for push notifications to get the latest news from our newsroom as soon as stories break • Build a personalized news feed by selecting topics that interest you • Enjoy exclusive videos and photo galleries • Save must-read stories, photos and videos for when you have the time to enjoy them • Turn your device sideways for an entirely different visual view of the news (iPad only) • Get the latest breaking news from our newsroom in your notifications • Share stories easily with Twitter, Facebook, or email • Offline reading: Download and read content offline SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS: • Download the app to enjoy a sampling of free stories each month. For full access, try a free month of Unlimited Digital Access to the app, the Chicago Tribune website, and our eNewspaper; then it's only $19.99 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. • Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable. • 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 $19.99 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. • You can read our Privacy Policy here: http://www.tribpub.com/privacy-policy/ • You can read our Terms of Service here: http://www.tribpub.com/central-terms-of-service/ • Questions about your subscription, including adding or removing Web access to the Chicago Tribune website from your app access, can be directed to Customer Service: 610-440-3679. CRASHES / PROBLEMS? We've been working hard to fix any and all crashes in the app. If you're still experiencing crashes or freezes after installing this update, please contact us at consumerservices@chicagotribune.com. A quick email to our support team helps our developers identify and resolve crashes faster.

About

WordReader

Easily follow and read content from your favorite WordPress websites. Manage your sources, customize your reading experience, and get the latest updates in a personalized feed. Offers an ad-free experience with subscription options.

Highlights
  • Follow and manage WordPress sources
  • Ad-free reading experience
  • Personalized reading settings
  • Latest updates in a feed
  • Intuitive interface
Features
Read full description

WordReader is your go-to app for following and reading content from WordPress websites. With an intuitive interface and powerful features, you can: • Follow, add and manage your favorite WordPress sources. • Enjoy an ad-free reading experience with Basic, Standard, or Pro subscriptions. • Customize your reading experience with personalized settings. • Get the latest updates from your favorite blogs and news sites directly in your feed. Whether you’re a casual reader or a power user, WordReader makes it easy to stay informed and engaged with the content that matters most to you. Apple's EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Chicago Tribune4 screens
WordReader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Chicago Tribune at 4.4 against WordReader's 3.0. Chicago Tribune also leads on ratings volume (18K vs 1) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months). WordReader's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Chicago Tribune sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per month and WordReader sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Chicago Tribune holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Chicago Tribune has 18K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Chicago Tribune ships an update every 3 weeks, WordReader every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Chicago Tribune versus WordReader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChicago TribuneWordReader
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (18K ratings) — better3.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews20.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings18K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 3 months
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#59 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size190 MB34 MB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperTribune Publishing Company, LLCUlas Sancak

Customer experience

Chicago Tribune

All ratings18,424 ratings
Positive86.3%
Neutral4.6%
Negative9.1%
Written reviews182 reviews
Positive20.9%
Neutral8.2%
Negative70.9%

WordReader

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Chicago Tribune

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Inability to scroll through articles
  • Frequent login prompts for subscribers
  • Inconsistent behavior across updates
  • Trouble accessing the digital edition

Requested features

4 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Audio playback for articles
  • Improved search functionality with filters
  • Better organization and navigation of content

WordReader

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Chicago Tribune

Subscriptions4
  • Unlimited Digital Access1 Month trial4 variants$19.991 Month
  • News Apps Only$19.991 Month
  • Unlimited Digital Access1 Year trial$198.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Chicago Tribune1 Year trial$199.991 Year
One-time2
  • Credit Access$0.99
  • Premium Story Credits$0.99
9 purchases

WordReader

Subscriptions9
  • Basic Weekly Premium$2.997 Days
  • Standard Weekly Premium$4.997 Days
  • Pro Haftalık Premium$6.997 Days
Show 6 more
  • Basic Monthly Premium$7.991 Month
  • Standard Monthly Premium$14.991 Month
  • Pro Monthly Premium$19.991 Month
  • Basic Yearly Premium7 Days trial$79.991 Year
  • Standard Yearly Premium7 Days trial$149.991 Year
  • Pro Yearly Premium7 Days trial$199.991 Year

Questions

Is Chicago Tribune free?
Chicago Tribune is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is WordReader free?
WordReader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Chicago Tribune or WordReader?
Chicago Tribune is rated higher. Chicago Tribune averages 4.4 out of 5 from 18K ratings, while WordReader averages 3.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Chicago Tribune or WordReader have ads?
Both Chicago Tribune and WordReader show ads.
Which is updated more often, Chicago Tribune or WordReader?
Chicago Tribune ships an update every 3 weeks, and WordReader every 3 months. Most recently, Chicago Tribune was updated on October 2, 2026 and WordReader on September 26, 2026.

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