Comparison

Edge magazine vs Smithsonian Magazine

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

Head to head
About

Edge magazine

This app offers in-depth, impartial reviews and coverage of hardware and software across various platforms. Explore detailed content, back issues, specials, and guides to stay informed about the latest in interactive entertainment.

Highlights
  • In-depth hardware and software reviews
  • Coverage of PC, console, and portable gaming
  • Impartial and detailed analysis
  • Access to back issues and specials
  • Interactive digital content
Features
Read full description

Covering hardware and software from all over the world, whether it’s online, portable, coin-op, PC or console, Edge covers them all, giving detailed, clear and impartial reviews to tell you what you need to know, not what the developers want you to think. Join thousands of others and download our free app now! ------------------- Once you’ve downloaded our app, you will need to take a free trial or purchase a single issue or subscription to access our in-depth content. We also publish specials and guides - browse our publications, read what interests you most, and get inspired. Back issues, specials, and future issues are available for purchase within the app. Subscriptions are available on various monthly and annual terms, and auto-renew until you decide to cancel it. You can cancel your subscription at any point. Please check inside the app for current pricing. *** Please Note: Our digital edition is not printable and does not include the covermount items or supplements you would find with the print edition *** • The free trial offer is only available to new subscribers. If you have previously subscribed then payment will be taken immediately. • You can cancel at any time during the free trial period and you will not be charged. Simply turn off auto-renew in your Apple account subscriptions page at least 24 hours before the auto-renew is due. • Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. • Your subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period. • You will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period, for the same duration and at the current subscription rate for that product. • You can manage your subscriptions and turn off auto-renewal by going to your Account Settings after purchase . • No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during active subscription period. This does not affect your statutory rights. • Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription. • We will be collecting information about your use of the app both when you are online and offline. To find out more please see our privacy policy. The subscription will include the current issue if you don't already own it and subsequently published future issues for the duration of your subscription period. ------------------- By purchasing a subscription or downloading an app you agree that you have read and accept Future Publishing Ltd's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use: www.futureplc.com/privacy-policy/ www.futureplc.com/terms-conditions/

About

Smithsonian Magazine

Access a digital version of a renowned magazine covering history, science, culture, and travel. Enjoy in-depth articles, photos, and departments. Purchase single issues or subscribe for ongoing access to engaging content.

Highlights
  • Digital magazine issues
  • History and archaeology articles
  • Cutting-edge science reporting
  • Virtual travel and culture features
  • In-app subscriptions and single purchases
Features
Read full description

Enjoy an iOS compatible issue of Smithsonian magazine on your iPhone or iPad. The issue includes every story, department, photo and more. Subscriptions and single copies are available for purchase within the app. Smithsonian magazine delivers trusted and incisive reporting on history, science, nature, culture and travel. * Explore history and archaeology from the earliest days of civilization to secrets of American history to the latest historical discoveries * Catch up on cutting-edge science from wildlife to evolution and the solar system * Travel the world virtually from Petra to Prague, taking in cultural treasures along the way ____________________________________________ SINGLE ISSUES: - Single issue, $3.99 (one time purchase, not ongoing) SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE: - One month for $1.99, automatically renewed until canceled - One year for $19.99, automatically renewed until canceled Smithsonian Magazine publishes 8 issues a year. Payment for any issue or subscription will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. SUBSCRIBERS AUTO-RENEWING FEATURE: Your subscription will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Your iTunes account will automatically be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and the cost of the renewal will be provided (yearly subscriptions will renew for another year and monthly subscriptions will renew for another month). Your subscription may be managed through your Account Settings after purchase. Auto-renewal may be turned off in Account Settings. No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during the active subscription period. Visit https://www.smithsonianmag.com/app/ and https://www.smithsonianmag.com/about/privacy/ for more information. ABOUT THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION: The Smithsonian Institution has inspired generations through knowledge and discovery since 1846. It's the world's largest complex of museums and research facilities, and it focuses on four core areas: Unlocking the Mysteries of the Universe, Understanding and Sustaining a Biodiverse Planet, World Cultures, and the American Experience. Privacy Statement: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/about/privacy/ Terms of Use: https://www.si.edu/termsofuse **Please note that the minimum requirements for Smithsonian Magazine is iOS 13 or higher.**

Screenshots

Edge magazine4 screens
Smithsonian Magazine4 screens

Verdict

The call

Edge magazine and Smithsonian Magazine both sit at 4.5 stars, but that hides the real split: 46% of Edge magazine's written reviews are positive against 22% of Smithsonian Magazine's. Edge magazine also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). Smithsonian Magazine's advantage is chart position (#198 vs unranked) and ratings volume (430 vs 134). On price, rating, update cadence and ads 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. Edge magazine sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Smithsonian Magazine sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Smithsonian Magazine holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 134 and 430 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 46% of Edge magazine's written reviews are positive against 22% of Smithsonian Magazine's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Edge magazine ships an update every 3 months, Smithsonian Magazine every 5 months. Both last shipped on November 6, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Edge magazine versus Smithsonian Magazine: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEdge magazineSmithsonian Magazine
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (134 ratings)4.7 (430 ratings) — better
Positive reviews45.7% of reviews — better22.1% of reviews
Number of ratings134430 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#198 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size25 MB62 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperFuture plcSmithsonian Institution

Customer experience

Edge magazine

All ratings134 ratings
Positive86.6%
Neutral5.2%
Negative8.2%
Written reviews186 reviews
Positive45.7%
Neutral6.5%
Negative47.8%

Smithsonian Magazine

All ratings423 ratings
Positive93.4%
Neutral2.1%
Negative4.5%
Written reviews104 reviews
Positive22.1%
Neutral4.8%
Negative73.1%

User reviews

Edge magazine

From 134 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🔍 Excellent content and coverage
  • 📱 Great interactive magazine experience
  • 💻 Seamless digital experience on iPad
  • 🌍 Accessible for international readers

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues
  • 📥 Slow and unreliable downloads
  • 💰 Subscription issues and billing problems
  • 🔍 Outdated or subpar user interface

Smithsonian Magazine

From 430 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Easy to navigate
  • 🔍 Great content
  • 👍 Intuitive interface

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes frequently
  • 🔒 Difficult to authenticate subscription
  • 💰 Requires separate digital subscription
  • 🔧 Clunky and buggy
  • 🗂️ Loses downloaded issues

Bugs and requests

Edge magazine

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Inability to download or access purchased issues
  • Inconsistent behavior across iOS versions
  • Syncing issues between devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Improved navigation and issue management
  • Optimized layout and text readability
  • Support for larger iPad screens
  • Offline reading mode

Smithsonian Magazine

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Unable to download new issues
  • Fails to remember last read position
  • Incompatible with newer iOS versions
  • Incorrect issue labeling in library

Requested features

4 requests
  • Allow login with existing subscription
  • Restore previously downloaded issues
  • Improve stability and performance
  • Provide better customer support

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Edge magazine

Subscriptions4
  • 1 Month Subscription1 Month trial$4.991 Month
  • 3 Month Subscription1 Month trial$11.993 Months
  • 6 Month Subscription1 Month trial$19.996 Months
Show 1 more
  • 1 Year Subscription1 Month trial$39.991 Year
One-time6
  • November 2011$6.99
  • December 2011$6.99
  • January 2012$6.99
Show 3 more
  • August 2012$6.99
  • September 2012$6.99
  • Issue 354$6.99
6 purchases

Smithsonian Magazine

Subscriptions3
  • Smithsonian Annual Subscription$1.991 Month
  • Smithsonian Annual Subscription$19.991 Year
  • 12-Month Subscription$19.991 Year
One-time3
  • Smithsonian Magazine5 variants$3.99
  • Smithsonian Magazine - February 2014$3.99
  • Smithsonian Magazine - September 2014$3.99

Questions

Is Edge magazine free?
Edge magazine is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Smithsonian Magazine free?
Smithsonian Magazine is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Edge magazine or Smithsonian Magazine?
Smithsonian Magazine is rated higher. Edge magazine averages 4.5 out of 5 from 134 ratings, while Smithsonian Magazine averages 4.7 from 430 ratings.
Do Edge magazine or Smithsonian Magazine have ads?
Neither Edge magazine nor Smithsonian Magazine shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Edge magazine or Smithsonian Magazine?
Edge magazine ships an update every 3 months, and Smithsonian Magazine every 5 months. Most recently, Edge magazine was updated on November 6, 2026 and Smithsonian Magazine on November 6, 2026.

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