Comparison

The Courier vs The Border Mail

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

Head to head
About

The Courier

Access breaking news and in-depth stories from Queensland and around the world. Personalize your news feed, receive custom alerts, and enjoy a digital replica of the daily newspaper. Explore podcasts and exclusive subscriber content.

Highlights
  • Personalized news feed
  • Customized notifications
  • Digital newspaper replica
  • Podcast discovery
  • Award-winning journalism
  • Local perspectives
Features
Read full description

The Courier-Mail app delivers the latest news and biggest stories as they happen, from our team of award-winning journalists in Queensland, Australia and the globe. Get a read on today with our breadth of content, award-winning journalism and trusted local perspectives. We are proud to tell the incredible stories every hour of every day with The Courier-Mail app. Subscribers of The Courier-Mail (other than Today's Paper digital replica subscribers) will have access to: PERSONALISE YOUR NEWS FEED Set your local news area, follow journalists and topics, plus your favourite sporting codes and teams. All of your customised preferences will appear on the home screen so you can get straight to what matters to you. CUSTOMISED NOTIFICATIONS Receive alerts on the stories that matter most as they happen. Tailor your notifications from a range of topics from breaking news, sport and entertainment to business updates and lifestyle. READ TODAY’S PAPER ON YOUR DEVICE Read the paper on the go with the digital replica of today’s newspaper. Access to the paper anytime, anywhere with the digital replica of the paper, as it’s printed. DISCOVER OUR RANGE OF PODCASTS Explore and listen to a wide range of podcasts from our team of dedicated journalists across the News+ network. The Courier-Mail app for mobile and tablet is free to download, however to gain full access to the app's content and features simply subscribe for Member-only access. Member-only access gives you full digital access to thousands of subscriber only stories, the digital replica of the paper, puzzles and more of what you love. How to gain full access to the app's content and features: 1) Existing members of The Courier-Mail (other than subscribers to Today's Paper digital replica) can log in to the app when prompted using their membership details; or, 2) Become a member by subscribing through the app (via iTunes) • Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal • Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period • Auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. • Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. For full Terms and Conditions please visit https://www.couriermail.com.au/more-information/terms-and-conditions and our Privacy Policy, please visit preferences.news.com.au Please note: This app features Nielsen’s proprietary measurement software which will allow you to contribute to market research. Please see www.nielsen.com/digitalprivacy for more information.

About

The Border Mail

Access local and national news, sports results, and in-depth analysis from your community's trusted source. Read articles, save them for later, and receive breaking news alerts.

Highlights
  • Breaking news updates 24/7
  • Browse articles by topic
  • Save articles for later
  • Breaking news alerts
  • Digital newspaper replica
  • Daily interactive puzzles
Features
Read full description

The Border Mail app brings together the best of your daily newspaper and its website to take your local news experience to another level. As Albury Wodonga's trusted voice, we keep you up to date seven days a week with news that’s important to our community. Whether it's the breaking news you need to know from around the region or across the nation, the latest Hume League, Ovens and Murray League or other sporting results, in-depth analysis explaining the decisions and events affecting our lives, or incisive commentary, you will be the first to know using The Border Mail app. The app is free to download, but you need to be a Border Mail digital subscriber to read articles. Features include: - Access to breaking news updates 24 hours-a-day - Browse the latest articles in the topics that interest you most - Save articles to read later - Alerts for breaking news and big stories - Read a digital replica of the day's newspaper - Play our daily interactive puzzles Please note: This app features Nielsen's proprietary measurement software which will allow you to contribute to market research or audience ratings services. Please see http://www.nielsen.com/digitalprivacy for more information.

Screenshots

The Courier4 screens
The Border Mail4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: The Border Mail at free with in-app purchases against The Courier's subscription. The Border Mail also leads on review sentiment (44% vs 13%). The Courier's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 11 days vs every 4 months). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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. The Border Mail sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month. The Courier asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

The Courier ships an update every 11 days, The Border Mail every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
The Courier versus The Border Mail: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThe CourierThe Border Mail
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.9 (232 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews12.7% of reviews44.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings232 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 11 days — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size163 MB59 MB
Age rating17+12+
DeveloperNews Digital MediaRural Press Pty Ltd

Customer experience

The Courier

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews134 reviews
Positive12.7%
Neutral5.2%
Negative82.1%

The Border Mail

Written reviews18 reviews
Positive44.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative55.6%

In-app purchases

None

The Courier

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

The Border Mail

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Subscription$12.991 Month
  • Annual Subscription$129.991 Year

Questions

Is The Courier free?
The Courier is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is The Border Mail free?
The Border Mail is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do The Courier or The Border Mail have ads?
The Border Mail shows ads; The Courier does not.
Which is updated more often, The Courier or The Border Mail?
The Courier ships an update every 11 days, and The Border Mail every 4 months. Most recently, The Courier was updated on November 1, 2026 and The Border Mail on November 3, 2026.

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