# iClarified vs MacFormat

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: iClarified at none against MacFormat's 11. iClarified also leads on ratings volume (1.7K vs 87) and rating (4.8 vs 4.6). MacFormat's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 13 months). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. MacFormat sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. iClarified asks for nothing beyond the download.

iClarified holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: iClarified has 1.7K ratings behind it against 87, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 60% of iClarified's written reviews are positive against 48% of MacFormat's.

iClarified ships an update every 13 months, MacFormat every 3 months. Both last shipped on October 17, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | iClarified | MacFormat |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (1.7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iclarified/id388040325/reviews)** | [4.6 (87 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/macformat/id451439182/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.7K** | 87 |
| Positive reviews | **60.1% of reviews** | 47.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 13 months | **Every 3 months** |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 13 MB | 24 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [iClarified](https://appshunter.io/developer/388040328) | [Future plc](https://appshunter.io/developer/378460265) |

## What reviewers say

### iClarified

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iclarified/id388040325)

Stay updated with the latest Apple news and receive instant alerts. Access step-by-step tutorials for your Apple devices and find answers from a supportive community. This app helps you maximize your iPhone, iPad, and Mac experience.

**Highlights:** Breaking Apple news alerts, Step-by-step tutorials, Community Q&A, Push notifications, Home screen widgets, Save articles for later, Powerful search

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### MacFormat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/macformat/id451439182)

Access in-depth reviews, expert advice, and tutorials for Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Discover new apps and accessories to enhance your Apple device experience. Get more value from your technology.

**Highlights:** Apple device reviews, Expert technical advice, App and accessory recommendations, Tutorials and tips, In-depth content, Digital magazine issues

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 Month Subscription | $4.99 | per month |
| 3 Month Subscription | $9.99 | per 3 months |
| 6 Month Subscription | $18.99 | per 6 months |
| 1 Year Subscription | $34.99 | per year |
| The complete guide to the new iPhone | $0.99 | one-time |
| The complete guide to the new iPad | $0.99 | one-time |
| February 2012 | $6.99 | one-time |
| August 2012 | $6.99 | one-time |
| September 2012 | $6.99 | one-time |
| December 2013 | $6.99 | one-time |
| All MacFormat back issues | $24.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and responsive app
- 📚 Excellent magazine content
- 💻 Well-designed for iPad
- 👍 Interactive and engaging format

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and stability issues
- ⏱️ Slow download speeds
- 📱 Compatibility problems on newer devices
- 💰 Expensive subscription price

**Reported bugs**

- Unable to exit/navigate out of magazine issues
- Subscription management problems
- Inconsistent performance after updates

**Requested features**

- Bookmark feature to save progress
- Font size adjustment options
- Offline reading mode
- Notifications for new issues


## Frequently asked questions

### Is iClarified free?

iClarified is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is MacFormat free?

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

### Which has better reviews, iClarified or MacFormat?

iClarified is rated higher. iClarified averages 4.8 out of 5 from 1.7K ratings, while MacFormat averages 4.6 from 87 ratings.

### Do iClarified or MacFormat have ads?

iClarified shows ads; MacFormat does not.

### Which is updated more often, iClarified or MacFormat?

iClarified ships an update every 13 months, and MacFormat every 3 months. Most recently, iClarified was updated on October 17, 2026 and MacFormat on October 17, 2026.

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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.*