Comparison

MacFormat vs 9to5Mac

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

Head to head
About

MacFormat

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
Read full description

MacFormat is the UK's best-selling magazine for fans of the Mac, iPhone, iPad, Watch and other Apple devices. Each issue brings you all the exciting developments from the world of Apple, including reviews of new Macs and iOS devices, and expert advice to solve your technical problems. Whether you’re a new or long-term Apple user, you’ll learn how to do more with your kit. You’ll also discover the latest and greatest third-party apps and accessories to enhance your skills and experience. Each issue is jam-packed with features, tutorials, tips and app recommendations to help you get more value from your Apple kit, so you can work more efficiently and creatively. 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. 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

9to5Mac

Stay informed with the latest news for Apple devices and other tech. Enjoy an ad-free reading experience with a clean layout and push notifications for breaking stories. An optional premium subscription offers enhanced features.

Highlights
  • Latest Apple news
  • Ad-free reading
  • Push notifications
  • Dark Theme
  • Optimized layout
  • Access to network sites
Features
Read full description

9to5Mac is the leading news website for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and more. The 9to5Mac app offers an ad-free way to stay up to date with the latest Apple news, along with connecting you to the full network of 9to5 sites. View the latest stories from 9to5Mac, 9to5Google, Electrek, and more in a layout optimized for the iPhone and iPad with large photography. Take advantage of the Dark Theme for comfortable reading at any time of day. Get push notifications for instant alerts when a new post goes live so you can always stay up to date with the latest stories. The 9to5Mac app is a beautiful companion to the website experience. Give us your feedback and look forward to more updates coming in the future. Upgrade to the Premium Subscription to read stories in the app with an ad-free, privacy-respecting native reading experience. Premium costs $1.99 per month in the US. The subscription automatically renews — but you can cancel at any time.* 9to5Mac Premium is subject to the standard Apple Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ See Privacy and Additional Terms: https://9to5mac.com/privacy/ *Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Account will be charged for renewal within a 24-hour prior to the end of the current period. Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase.

Screenshots

MacFormat4 screens
9to5Mac4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: 9to5Mac at 4.8K against MacFormat's 87. MacFormat's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.6). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence 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. MacFormat sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and 9to5Mac sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for MacFormat against 4.7 for 9to5Mac. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: 9to5Mac has 4.8K ratings behind it against 87, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 48% of MacFormat's written reviews are positive against 41% of 9to5Mac's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 months. Both last shipped on October 17, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
MacFormat versus 9to5Mac: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMacFormat9to5Mac
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (87 ratings)4.7 (4.8K ratings) — better
Positive reviews47.7% of reviews — better40.9% of reviews
Number of ratings874.8K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size24 MB34 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFuture plcSeth Weintraub

Customer experience

MacFormat

All ratings87 ratings
Positive94.3%
Neutral1.1%
Negative4.6%
Written reviews151 reviews
Positive47.7%
Neutral7.3%
Negative45.0%

9to5Mac

All ratings4,844 ratings
Positive93.1%
Neutral2.8%
Negative4.1%
Written reviews264 reviews
Positive40.9%
Neutral18.2%
Negative40.9%

User reviews

MacFormat

From 87 App Store ratings

What we love

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

Room to improve

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

9to5Mac

From 4.8K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Informative content
  • 📱 Great app for Apple news
  • 🌓 Useful dark mode
  • 👍 Modern design

Room to improve

  • 🔒 Paywall restricts access
  • 🐛 Crashes and bugs
  • ⏱️ Slow content loading
  • 💸 Expensive subscription
  • 🔍 Lack of search functionality

Bugs and requests

MacFormat

Reported bugs

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

Requested features

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

9to5Mac

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Subscription issues
  • Inconsistent dark mode support
  • Unreliable push notifications
  • Crashes when opening articles
  • Broken Disqus login functionality

Requested features

7 requests
  • Dark mode icon support
  • Improved notifications
  • In-app commenting
  • Yearly subscription option
  • Faster content updates
Show 2 more
  • Accessibility improvements
  • Seamless integration with other 9to5 sites

In-app purchases

11 purchases

MacFormat

Subscriptions4
  • 1 Month Subscription1 Month trial$4.991 Month
  • 3 Month Subscription1 Month trial$9.993 Months
  • 6 Month Subscription1 Month trial$18.996 Months
Show 1 more
  • 1 Year Subscription1 Month trial$34.991 Year
One-time7
  • The complete guide to the new iPhone$0.99
  • The complete guide to the new iPad$0.99
  • February 2012$6.99
Show 4 more
  • August 2012$6.99
  • September 2012$6.99
  • December 2013$6.99
  • All MacFormat back issues$24.99
1 purchases

9to5Mac

Subscriptions1
  • Premium Subscription7 Days trial$1.991 Month

Questions

Is MacFormat free?
MacFormat is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is 9to5Mac free?
9to5Mac is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, MacFormat or 9to5Mac?
9to5Mac is rated higher. MacFormat averages 4.6 out of 5 from 87 ratings, while 9to5Mac averages 4.7 from 4.8K ratings.
Do MacFormat or 9to5Mac have ads?
Neither MacFormat nor 9to5Mac shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MacFormat or 9to5Mac?
MacFormat ships an update every 3 months, and 9to5Mac every 3 months. Most recently, MacFormat was updated on October 17, 2026 and 9to5Mac on October 17, 2026.

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