# NewsMemory vs Record Searchlight

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 (#168 vs unranked). On price, ratings volume, ads and monetization model there is nothing between them.

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.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | NewsMemory | Record Searchlight |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (662 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/newsmemory/id389768066/reviews)** | [4.3 (752 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/record-searchlight/id1119324300/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 662 | **752** |
| Positive reviews | **91.2% of reviews** | 46.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#168** |
| Size | 42 MB | 186 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 18.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Tecnavia](https://appshunter.io/developer/366664051) | [USA TODAY Co., Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/404843797) |

## What reviewers say

### NewsMemory

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/newsmemory/id389768066)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- Weekend edition
- Improved search functionality
- Ability to save and share articles
- Offline reading mode


### Record Searchlight

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/record-searchlight/id1119324300)

**Currently charting:** #168 Top Grossing · Magazines & Newspapers (US App Store)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Digital Rate | $14.99 | per month |
| Redding Record Digital Subscription | $16.99 | per month |
| Redding Record Annual Digital Subscription | $69.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- 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


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*