# Mary vs EWTN

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Mary at none against EWTN's 31. Mary also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 14.0). EWTN's advantage is ratings volume (35K vs 509) and update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 3 months). On price and review sentiment there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. EWTN sells 31 one-off in-app purchases. Mary asks for nothing beyond the download.

EWTN holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: EWTN has 35K ratings behind it against 509, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 92% of Mary's written reviews are positive against 90% of EWTN's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Mary ships an update every 3 months, EWTN every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 8, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Mary | EWTN |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (509 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mary/id483256944/reviews) | **[4.9 (35K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ewtn/id569376490/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 509 | **35K** |
| Positive reviews | **92.2% of reviews** | 90.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 4 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 43 MB | 73 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 14.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple TV** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception](https://appshunter.io/developer/410696369) | [EWTN Religious Catalogue](https://appshunter.io/developer/569376493) |

## What reviewers say

### Mary

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mary/id483256944)

Explore comprehensive information on the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus. This free app provides resources on her doctrine, devotions like the interactive Rosary, and details on apparitions and pilgrimage sites. Deepen your understanding and devotion to Mary to grow closer to Jesus.

**Highlights:** Interactive Rosary with audio, Marian Dogmas and Titles, Marian Feasts and Prayers, Images and Apparitions of Mary, Pilgrimage Sites information, Information on Marian Fathers

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🙏 Helpful for prayer life
- 🌟 Excellent app for learning about Mary
- 🎨 Beautiful design and visuals
- 🔊 Soothing narration voice

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Audio issues (cutting out, repeating)
- 🔍 Difficulty navigating/tracking progress
- 🔌 Compatibility issues with iOS 11 and newer
- 🔇 Lack of customization options (volume, speed)

**Reported bugs**

- Rosary prayers not proceeding correctly after Luminous Mysteries
- App not compatible with latest iOS versions

**Requested features**

- Add Latin audio/text option for rosary
- Include Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Implement vibration patterns to distinguish rosary mysteries
- Add ability to pause/resume rosary without losing progress


### EWTN

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ewtn/id569376490)

Access live and on-demand Catholic television and radio programming. Explore news, program schedules, and a free audio version of the Gospel of Mark. Offers a premium audio New Testament with celebrity voices and synchronized text.

**Highlights:** Live TV and Radio Streams, On-demand TV and Radio Programs, Catholic News, Program Schedule, Free Gospel of Mark Audio, Premium Audio New Testament

**In-app purchases (31)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| CHAPLET OF ST. MICHAEL | $0.99 | one-time |
| Padre Pio: He Bore Christ’S Wo | $0.99 | one-time |
| A Wolf In Sheep’S Clothing | $1.99 | one-time |
| Called And Chosen | $1.99 | one-time |
| Saint Bridget Of Sweden | $1.99 | one-time |
| Hope - Our Lady Of Knock (rent) | $1.99 | one-time |
| MIRACLES OF PADRE PIO (rent) | $1.99 | one-time |
| GUADALUPE MYSTERIES (rent) | $1.99 | one-time |
| MOTHER CABRINI (rent) | $1.99 | one-time |
| THE HIDDEN SHRINE (rent) | $1.99 | one-time |
| GREGORIAN MUSIC OF ANGELS(rent | $1.99 | one-time |
| Tolkien - An Unexpected Friend | $1.99 | one-time |
| SAINT ROSE OF LIMA (rent) | $1.99 | one-time |
| Saint Martin De Porres | $1.99 | one-time |
| Kateri | $1.99 | one-time |
| Cabrini And The Heart Of Jesus | $1.99 | one-time |
| I AM W/ YOU-CARLO ACUTIS(rent) | $1.99 | one-time |
| The Message Of Fatima | $2.99 | one-time |
| Chaplet Of Divine Mercy | $2.99 | one-time |
| Saints Vs. Scoundrels | $2.99 | one-time |
| The Heresies (rent) | $2.99 | one-time |
| They Might Be Saints (rent) | $2.99 | one-time |
| The Case For Marriage | $2.99 | one-time |
| EXPLORE W MIRACLE HUNTER(rent) | $2.99 | one-time |
| Straubinger New Testament Audio | $4.99 | one-time |
| A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing | $9.99 | one-time |
| THE HOLY ROSARY WITH MOTHER ANGELICA (buy) | $9.99 | one-time |
| Chaplet Of Divine Mercy | $14.99 | one-time |
| The “Reformation” - buy | $14.99 | one-time |
| Liturgy Of The Hours For Lay P | $14.99 | one-time |
| New Testament Audio Package | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🙏 Strengthens Catholic faith
- 🕍 Provides access to daily Mass and prayers
- 🎥 Variety of inspiring programs and documentaries
- 📖 Easy access to Bible and religious content
- 🤗 Comforting and uplifting during difficult times

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional technical issues with streaming and app crashes
- 🔍 Confusing navigation and layout changes
- 🕰️ Slow loading of on-demand content
- 🔇 Loss of some audio-only programs

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to access certain American channels
- Inconsistent performance on older devices

**Requested features**

- Improved Chromecast support
- More personalization options
- Better organization of on-demand content
- Easier access to program schedules


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Mary free?

Mary is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is EWTN free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Mary or EWTN?

EWTN is rated higher. Mary averages 4.7 out of 5 from 509 ratings, while EWTN averages 4.9 from 35K ratings.

### Do Mary or EWTN have ads?

EWTN shows ads; Mary does not.

### Which is updated more often, Mary or EWTN?

Mary ships an update every 3 months, and EWTN every 4 weeks. Most recently, Mary was updated on September 8, 2026 and EWTN on September 25, 2026.

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