# The New Criterion vs Static Reader

The clearest difference is review sentiment: The New Criterion at 44% against Static Reader's 0%. The New Criterion also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.6). Static Reader's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. The New Criterion sells 26 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Static Reader sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

The New Criterion ships an update every 3 months, Static Reader every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | The New Criterion | Static Reader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (362 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-new-criterion/id432428177/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **362** | — |
| Positive reviews | **43.8% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 months** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 61 MB | 4 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Foundation for Cultural Review, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1471194668) | [Tam Nguyen](https://appshunter.io/developer/1845501378) |

## What reviewers say

### The New Criterion

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-new-criterion/id432428177)

This monthly review offers incisive criticism on culture and the arts. It features a wide range of established and emerging critics, engaging with the best of thought and discourse.

**Highlights:** Monthly review of culture and arts, Incisive criticism, Features established and emerging critics, Engages with intellectual discourse, Free sample issue available

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (26)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The New Criterion | $3.99 | per month |
| The New Criterion | $29.99 | per year |
| The New Criterion Feb 11 | $4.99 | one-time |
| The New Criterion June 11 | $4.99 | one-time |
| The New Criterion Sept 11 | $4.99 | one-time |
| The New Criterion Jan 12 | $5.99 | one-time |
| June 2012 | $5.99 | one-time |
| June 2016 | $5.99 | one-time |
| September 2016 | $5.99 | one-time |
| October 2016 | $5.99 | one-time |
| November 2017 | $5.99 | one-time |
| New Criterion Feed 76 | $5.99 | one-time |
| New Criterion Feed 70 | $5.99 | one-time |
| New Criterion Feed 74 | $5.99 | one-time |
| New Criterion Feed 75 | $5.99 | one-time |
| New Criterion Feed 64 | $5.99 | one-time |
| New Criterion Feed 61 | $5.99 | one-time |
| New Criterion Feed 60 | $5.99 | one-time |
| New Criterion Feed 58 | $5.99 | one-time |
| New Criterion Feed 57 | $5.99 | one-time |
| New Criterion Feed 56 | $5.99 | one-time |
| New Criterion Feed 53 | $5.99 | one-time |
| New Criterion Feed 55 | $5.99 | one-time |
| New Criterion Feed 54 | $5.99 | one-time |
| New Criterion Feed 18 | $5.99 | one-time |
| New Criterion Feed 19 | $5.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great publication content
- 👍 Amazing content
- 👍 Good presentation
- 👍 User friendly

**What reviewers complain about**

- 👎 Difficult to use app
- 👎 Hard to read on smaller devices
- 👎 Unintuitive and impossible to navigate
- 👎 Terrible player on phone
- 👎 Terrible subscriber interface

**Reported bugs**

- Subscription not started
- Login information incorrect
- Unable to download owned issues prior to 2019
- App lags on iPhone

**Requested features**

- Alter font size
- Dark mode
- Integration with Apple News
- Save spot in issue
- Contents page


### Static Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/static-reader-offline-website/id6753886319)

Save any web page with all its images for offline reading. Ideal for travel or commutes, this app downloads complete articles and embeds images, allowing access without an internet connection. Content is organized by website for easy browsing.

**Highlights:** Save full web pages with embedded images, Offline reading without internet connection, Background downloads, Content organized by website, No ads or tracking, Unlimited downloads with Pro upgrade

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Static Reader Pro | $2.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is The New Criterion free?

The New Criterion is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Static Reader free?

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

### Do The New Criterion or Static Reader have ads?

Neither The New Criterion nor Static Reader shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, The New Criterion or Static Reader?

The New Criterion ships an update every 3 months, and Static Reader every 5 months. Most recently, The New Criterion was updated on October 22, 2026 and Static Reader on October 11, 2026.

---

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