# MacFormat vs AppleInsider

The clearest difference is rating: MacFormat at 4.6 against AppleInsider's 3.3. MacFormat also leads on monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. MacFormat sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and AppleInsider sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

MacFormat holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 87 and 49 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 48% of MacFormat's written reviews are positive against 29% of AppleInsider's.

MacFormat ships an update every 3 months, AppleInsider every 8 months. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | MacFormat | AppleInsider |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (87 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/macformat/id451439182/reviews)** | [3.3 (49 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/appleinsider/id578462575/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **87** | 49 |
| Positive reviews | **47.7% of reviews** | 29.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 months** | Every 8 months |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Size | 24 MB | 19 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 14.7 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Future plc](https://appshunter.io/developer/378460265) | [Crafted](https://appshunter.io/developer/578462578) |

## What reviewers say

### MacFormat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/macformat/id451439182)

Access in-depth reviews, expert advice, and tutorials for Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Discover new apps and accessories to enhance your Apple device experience. Get more value from your technology.

**Highlights:** Apple device reviews, Expert technical advice, App and accessory recommendations, Tutorials and tips, In-depth content, Digital magazine issues

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

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 Month Subscription | $4.99 | per month |
| 3 Month Subscription | $9.99 | per 3 months |
| 6 Month Subscription | $18.99 | per 6 months |
| 1 Year Subscription | $34.99 | per year |
| The complete guide to the new iPhone | $0.99 | one-time |
| The complete guide to the new iPad | $0.99 | one-time |
| February 2012 | $6.99 | one-time |
| August 2012 | $6.99 | one-time |
| September 2012 | $6.99 | one-time |
| December 2013 | $6.99 | one-time |
| All MacFormat back issues | $24.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and responsive app
- 📚 Excellent magazine content
- 💻 Well-designed for iPad
- 👍 Interactive and engaging format

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and stability issues
- ⏱️ Slow download speeds
- 📱 Compatibility problems on newer devices
- 💰 Expensive subscription price

**Reported bugs**

- Unable to exit/navigate out of magazine issues
- Subscription management problems
- Inconsistent performance after updates

**Requested features**

- Bookmark feature to save progress
- Font size adjustment options
- Offline reading mode
- Notifications for new issues


### AppleInsider

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/appleinsider/id578462575)

Stay informed with the latest Apple news, rumors, and expert commentary on your iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Get breaking news alerts, access video reviews, and listen to podcasts. Subscribers enjoy an ad-free experience.

**Highlights:** Breaking news push notifications, AI YouTube video library, Weekly podcasts, Live Apple event coverage, Ad-free subscription option, Optimized for iPhone and iPad, Apple Watch experience

**Features:** Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro | $2.99 | per month |
| Pro | $29.99 | per year |
| AppleInsider Subscription (1 Month) | $0.99 | one-time |
| AppleInsider Subscription (3 Months) | $2.99 | one-time |
| AppleInsider Subscription (6 Months) | $4.99 | one-time |
| AppleInsider Subscription (1 Year) | $8.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Wide range of topics
- 👍 Informative and educational
- 👍 Excellent podcast
- 👍 Number one source for Apple news

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Cluttered and unintuitive UI
- 🐛 Crashes and loading issues
- 🔍 Ineffective search functionality
- 💰 Excessive price increase for subscription
- 🔍 New layout hides latest news

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes on iOS 14 and newer
- Articles not loading properly
- Widget functionality broken
- Subscription issues and lack of cancellation options

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Customizable notification settings
- Ability to mark articles as read
- App badge to show unread articles
- iPad-optimized layout


## Frequently asked questions

### Is MacFormat free?

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

### Is AppleInsider free?

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

### Which has better reviews, MacFormat or AppleInsider?

MacFormat is rated higher. MacFormat averages 4.6 out of 5 from 87 ratings, while AppleInsider averages 3.3 from 49 ratings.

### Do MacFormat or AppleInsider have ads?

AppleInsider shows ads; MacFormat does not.

### Which is updated more often, MacFormat or AppleInsider?

MacFormat ships an update every 3 months, and AppleInsider every 8 months. Most recently, MacFormat was updated on October 17, 2026 and AppleInsider on October 13, 2026.

---

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