BBC Science Focus Magazine vs Primary Times
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
BBC Science Focus Magazine
Explore the latest discoveries and breakthroughs in science and technology. This app offers in-depth articles, expert interviews, and answers to your burning questions. Enjoy interactive features like text adjustment, bookmarking, and multimedia content.
- Latest issue access
- Back issue archive
- Expert interviews
- Q&A section
- Adjustable text size
- Bookmark features
- Search tool
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Enjoy BBC Science Focus Magazine, the UK's leading science and technology monthly, on your iPhone and iPad. Dive into the latest issue, download the entire back issue collection and save more with a subscription. From space travel to brain science, BBC Science Focus Magazine will give you the lowdown on the latest discoveries and the big breakthroughs affecting our future. Interviews with leading scientists and world-leading experts will provide you with thoughtful, accurate analysis, helping you to understand what's going on in the fast-moving world of science. Plus, all your burning questions will be answered in the popular Q&A section. Our App makes it easy to read and enjoy each issue with helpful features like text adjust, allowing you to amend the font size for clear reading on any device size. You can also bookmark your favourite features to revisit, and browse our archive of content with the handy search tool. Plus, you'll find stunning video and audio inside which bring each issue to life. **Reality Check Our team investigates the science behind the headlines. We pore over the research and talk to world-leading experts to find answers to questions like: How can you protect yourself from air pollution? Is screen time bad for you? Are all plastics bad for the planet? **Features Every month, the best science writers in the world explore the big mysteries of our time. From the inner workings of our brains to the cosmic machinations of our Universe, each issue is full of surprises. **Radar We share the best science TV, books, podcasts and radio of the month ahead. PLUS tech experts help us find the best gadgets that money can buy. Terms and Conditions: Customers can buy single issues and subscriptions using In App Purchase Subscriptions are available on monthly or annual terms & will unlock all premium content on the BBC Science Focus Magazine Apple News channel. • 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 • The app may offer a free trial. At the end of the free trial period, the full price of the subscription will be charged thereafter. Cancellations must occur 24 hours before the end of the subscription period to avoid being charged. Visit http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4098 for more information. The subscription will include the current issue if you do not already own it and subsequently published future issues. Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. If you would like more information or support please visit our App support page https://www.ourmediaapps.co.uk/apps-faqs/ Our Media Ltd Privacy Policy and Terms of Use: https://policies.ourmedia.co.uk/privacy-policy/ https://policies.ourmedia.co.uk/website-terms-and-conditions/ **Please note: this digital edition does not include the covermount gifts or supplements you would find with printed copies
Primary Times
This publication offers a guide for parents, pupils, and teachers in the primary school sector, focusing on local events, activities, and information. It is distributed free to primary schools across the UK and Ireland, providing regional content and advertising.
- Local event listings
- What's on guide
- Regional editorials
- Community-focused advertising
- Free distribution to schools
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Primary Times is a magazine for parents, pupils and teachers in the primary school sector across the UK and Ireland. There are 58 Primary Times magazines with a combined distribution of over 2.7 million copies per issue, each one serving its respective local community with event listings, information and advertising relevant to their region. It is primarily a What's On / Where to Go / What to Do Guide for parents of primary school children, supplemented with local editorials and advertising. We publish 7 times a year at the start of each half and full term holiday, plus a 'Back to School' issue. Distributed free to primary schools, it is taken home by the pupils and remains in the home for several weeks. The magazine is franchised out to regional publishers, each of whom usually lives locally and therefore has a keen appreciation of, and empathy with, the region they serve. It has been commended by the Daily Mail, The Scotsman, The Irish Times, Business A.M. and by Directors of Education across the country for its service to local communities. “Things to do at a place near you”. You may view our Privacy Policy and terms & Conditions at https://www.primarytimes.co.uk/terms-conditions#Privacy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Primary Times at none against BBC Science Focus Magazine's 14. Primary Times also leads on ads (none vs shown). BBC Science Focus Magazine's advantage is review sentiment (52% vs 18%) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 12 months). On price, device support and iOS requirement 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
Both are free to download. BBC Science Focus Magazine sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Primary Times asks for nothing beyond the download.
BBC Science Focus Magazine ships an update every 2 months, Primary Times every 12 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | BBC Science Focus Magazine | Primary Times |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (82 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 52.0% of reviews — better | 18.2% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 82 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 12 months |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Ad-supported — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 15.6 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 51 MB | 24 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Our Media Limited | Digital Edition Technology Ltd |
Customer experience
BBC Science Focus Magazine
Primary Times
Bugs and requests
BBC Science Focus Magazine
Reported bugs
3 issues- Inability to access purchased content
- Frequent crashes and freezes
- Compatibility issues with iOS updates
Requested features
3 requests- Dark mode option
- Offline reading support
- Better optimization for newer devices
Primary Times
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
BBC Science Focus Magazine
- BBC Focus Magazine Apple News$4.991 Month
- 1-Month Subscription$5.491 Month
- 3-Month Subscription$12.993 Months
Show 5 moreShow fewer
- 6-Month Subscription$28.496 Months
- Discounted Annual Subscription$39.991 Year
- BBC Focus Magazine Apple News1 Month trial$42.991 Year
- 12-Month Subscription Bundle$45.991 Year
- 12-Month Subscription1 Year trial$47.991 Year
- World in Motion: England's StoryFree
- August 2014$4.99
- September 2024$5.99
Show 2 moreShow fewer
- Summer 2024$5.99
- Complete Your Collection$59.99
Primary Times
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is BBC Science Focus Magazine free?
Is Primary Times free?
Do BBC Science Focus Magazine or Primary Times have ads?
Which is updated more often, BBC Science Focus Magazine or Primary Times?
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