Comparison

SFX magazine vs Essential Sci

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

Head to head
About

SFX magazine

Access a digital library of science fiction, fantasy, and horror content. Explore in-depth features, interviews, and reviews of TV shows, movies, books, comics, and games. Enjoy exclusive genre universe content in a beautifully designed digital magazine experience.

Highlights
  • In-depth features and interviews
  • Behind-the-scenes scoops
  • Expert reviews of releases
  • Fantasy and horror book coverage
  • Comic and graphic novel insights
  • Game and fandom culture updates
Features
Read full description

Dive into the ultimate digital version of SFX Magazine – your monthly gateway to everything science fiction, fantasy and horror! From your favourite TV shows and movies to the best in books, comics, games and collectables, SFX delivers exclusive access to the genre universe that fans love. Inside every issue: - In-depth features, fan-favourite interviews, behind-the-scenes scoops and sci-fi analysis - Expert reviews of the latest television, bluray, and streaming releases - Explore the best fantasy and horror books, graphic novels and must-read comics - Get the lowdown on essential games, upcoming events, and fandom culture Every issue is packed with premium content for dedicated sci-fi and fantasy fans, brought to life in an intuitive, beautifully designed digital magazine experience. 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

Essential Sci

Stream a vast library of science fiction movies and TV shows for free. Subscribe monthly to enjoy an ad-free viewing experience and access premium content.

Highlights
  • Hundreds of hours of sci-fi content
  • Free streaming
  • Monthly ad-free subscription
  • Watch on Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, iPod
Features
Read full description

The Essential Sci-Fi Channel contains hundreds of hours of your favorite science fiction movies and television shows available to watch for free. Sign up for a monthly subscription to watch without ads! Terms of Use: http://macmillanweb.com/html/terms.asp

Screenshots

SFX magazine4 screens
Essential Sci4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: SFX magazine at none against Essential Sci's shown. SFX magazine also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.5) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.6). Essential Sci's advantage is update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 3 months). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. SFX magazine sells 17 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Essential Sci sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SFX magazine holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 24 and 33 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SFX magazine ships an update every 3 months, Essential Sci every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
SFX magazine versus Essential Sci: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSFX magazineEssential Sci
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (24 ratings) — better4.5 (33 ratings)
Positive reviews41.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2433 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — better
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size38 MB8 MB
Age rating17+12+
DeveloperFuture plcMacMillan Interactive Communications, LLC

Customer experience

SFX magazine

All ratings24 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews39 reviews
Positive41.0%
Neutral7.7%
Negative51.3%

Essential Sci

All ratings23 ratings
Positive91.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative8.7%

In-app purchases

17 purchases

SFX magazine

Subscriptions4
  • 1 Month Subscription1 Month trial$4.991 Month
  • 3 Month Subscription$11.993 Months
  • 6 Month Subscription$19.996 Months
Show 1 more
  • 1 Year Subscription1 Month trial$39.991 Year
One-time13
  • Issue 373$3.99
  • Issue 392$3.99
  • Issue 382$3.99
Show 10 more
  • Issue 380$3.99
  • Issue 406$5.99
  • Issue 399$5.99
  • May 2012$5.99
  • Summer 2012$5.99
  • August 2012$5.99
  • September 2012$5.99
  • December 2012$5.99
  • January 2014$5.99
  • All SFX Magazine back issues$39.99
2 purchases

Essential Sci

Subscriptions2
  • Essential Sci-Fi Subscription$5.991 Month
  • Essential Sci-Fi Yearly Sub$69.991 Year

Questions

Is SFX magazine free?
SFX magazine is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Essential Sci free?
Essential Sci is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SFX magazine or Essential Sci?
SFX magazine is rated higher. SFX magazine averages 5.0 out of 5 from 24 ratings, while Essential Sci averages 4.5 from 33 ratings.
Do SFX magazine or Essential Sci have ads?
Essential Sci shows ads; SFX magazine does not.
Which is updated more often, SFX magazine or Essential Sci?
SFX magazine ships an update every 3 months, and Essential Sci every 6 weeks. Most recently, SFX magazine was updated on October 24, 2026 and Essential Sci on October 21, 2026.

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