Comparison

NewsMemory vs Record Searchlight

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

Head to head
About

NewsMemory

Read exact replicas of print newspapers on your mobile device. Navigate easily with gestures, zoom into articles, and search for specific content. Access the latest editions and back issues for offline reading.

Highlights
  • Exact print edition replica
  • Multi-gesture navigation
  • Article zoom and text mode
  • Full text search
  • Offline reading
  • Access to back issues
Features
Read full description

The NewsMemory eEdition app is offered by participating publications to let subscribers read an exact replica of the print edition on an iPad or iPhone. Readers can quickly navigate the entire publication using iOS multi-gestures. Swipe to browse pages or sections or tap a live headline or page number to reach your favorite article. A thumbnail view lets you scan all the pages at once. To read a story, just tap to zoom the page image, or tap to article mode and read the whole story, including jumps, in the text window at the font size you prefer. The eEdition will also let you easily find topics using the section and story index, or find any ad or story via a full text search of words contained in the copy. The eEdition is published on the same schedule as the print edition. Just open the app to get the latest edition for on-line or off-line reading. You can also access back issues that you might have missed.To use, just download the app and select your publication. Access typically requires an account login and password that is provided to subscribers. Check with your publication for details. The app provides free access to a demo edition so you can try out the eEdition before subscribing. If you subscribe to several participating papers, the app will let you switch among them.

About

Record Searchlight

Stay informed with local news, in-depth journalism, and real-time alerts. Access a digital replica of the print edition, along with national and other local eNewspapers. Customize your reading experience with features like offline access and adjustable text size.

Highlights
  • In-depth local journalism
  • Breaking news and alerts
  • Streamlined reading experience
  • Customizable text and modes
  • Offline reading
  • eNewspaper access
Features
Read full description

From critically acclaimed storytelling to powerful photography to engaging videos — the Record Searchlight app delivers the local news that matters most to your community. APP FEATURES: • Access all of our in-depth journalism, including things to do around town, sports coverage from high school to the pros, and much more. • Enjoy a streamlined, fast-loading experience that makes it easy to view the stories, photos, and videos that matter to you. • Get breaking news, sports scores, and weather alerts with real-time notifications tailored to your interests. • Customize your experience by saving your favorite stories, adjusting text size, using night mode, or reading offline. • eNewspaper: Just like our print edition but accessible on your mobile devices. And access to USA TODAY and 200+ local eNewspapers. MORE INFORMATION: • Privacy Policy: https://cm.redding.com/privacy/ • Terms of Service: https://cm.redding.com/terms/ • Help Center: https://help.redding.com • Subscriptions are charged to your account at confirmation of purchase and automatically renew each month or year, unless turned off in your account settings at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage your subscriptions and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to your Account Settings after purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription, where applicable. See "Subscription Support" in the app's Settings for more details and customer service contact information.

Screenshots

NewsMemory1 screens
Record Searchlight4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: NewsMemory at 91% against Record Searchlight's 46%. NewsMemory also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 4) and rating (4.5 vs 4.3). Record Searchlight's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 8 months) and chart position (#171 vs unranked). On price, ratings volume, ads and monetization model 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. Record Searchlight sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month. NewsMemory asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

NewsMemory holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 662 and 752 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 91% of NewsMemory's written reviews are positive against 46% of Record Searchlight's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NewsMemory ships an update every 8 months, Record Searchlight monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
NewsMemory versus Record Searchlight: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNewsMemoryRecord Searchlight
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (662 ratings) — better4.3 (752 ratings)
Positive reviews91.2% of reviews — better46.0% of reviews
Number of ratings662752 — better
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsMonthly — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#171 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.1 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size42 MB186 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperTecnaviaUSA TODAY Co., Inc.

Customer experience

NewsMemory

All ratings661 ratings
Positive90.2%
Neutral3.0%
Negative6.8%
Written reviews137 reviews
Positive91.2%
Neutral3.6%
Negative5.1%

Record Searchlight

All ratings752 ratings
Positive81.6%
Neutral10.6%
Negative7.7%
Written reviews63 reviews
Positive46.0%
Neutral15.9%
Negative38.1%

User reviews

NewsMemory

From 662 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Convenient access to news
  • 💡 Newspaper-like reading experience
  • 🔒 Reliable and trustworthy content
  • 📱 Works well on mobile devices

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Navigation issues
  • 🔍 Difficulty searching and accessing past issues
  • 🔧 Occasional technical problems
  • 🔀 Inconsistent formatting and layout

Record Searchlight

From 752 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast and convenient access to local news
  • 👍 Useful for staying informed on local events and happenings
  • 🌞 Enjoyable way to start the day with local news and coffee
  • 🔍 Comprehensive coverage of local, state, and world news

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues, especially after iOS updates
  • 📱 Difficult to navigate and find specific content
  • 💰 Too many ads for a paid subscription service
  • 🔍 Lack of in-depth local reporting and coverage

Bugs and requests

NewsMemory

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App freezes or crashes
  • Blurry or missing content
  • Compatibility issues with newer devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Weekend edition
  • Improved search functionality
  • Ability to save and share articles
  • Offline reading mode

Record Searchlight

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Login issues and inability to manage subscription
  • Compatibility problems with newer iOS versions
  • Video and multimedia content not working properly

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to print puzzles and other content
  • Improved organization and navigation of content
  • More local event notifications and coverage
  • Option to turn off targeted advertising

In-app purchases

None

NewsMemory

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Record Searchlight

Subscriptions3
  • Monthly Digital Rate1 Month trial2 variants$14.991 Month
  • Redding Record Digital Subscription1 Month trial$16.991 Month
  • Redding Record Annual Digital Subscription1 Year trial$69.991 Year

Questions

Is NewsMemory free?
NewsMemory is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Record Searchlight free?
Record Searchlight is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, NewsMemory or Record Searchlight?
NewsMemory is rated higher. NewsMemory averages 4.5 out of 5 from 662 ratings, while Record Searchlight averages 4.3 from 752 ratings.
Do NewsMemory or Record Searchlight have ads?
Both NewsMemory and Record Searchlight show ads.
Which is updated more often, NewsMemory or Record Searchlight?
NewsMemory ships an update every 8 months, and Record Searchlight monthly. Most recently, NewsMemory was updated on October 27, 2026 and Record Searchlight on October 29, 2026.

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