Comparison

Smithsonian Magazine vs Decaf

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

Head to head
About

Smithsonian Magazine

Access a digital version of a renowned magazine covering history, science, culture, and travel. Enjoy in-depth articles, photos, and departments. Purchase single issues or subscribe for ongoing access to engaging content.

Highlights
  • Digital magazine issues
  • History and archaeology articles
  • Cutting-edge science reporting
  • Virtual travel and culture features
  • In-app subscriptions and single purchases
Features
Read full description

Enjoy an iOS compatible issue of Smithsonian magazine on your iPhone or iPad. The issue includes every story, department, photo and more. Subscriptions and single copies are available for purchase within the app. Smithsonian magazine delivers trusted and incisive reporting on history, science, nature, culture and travel. * Explore history and archaeology from the earliest days of civilization to secrets of American history to the latest historical discoveries * Catch up on cutting-edge science from wildlife to evolution and the solar system * Travel the world virtually from Petra to Prague, taking in cultural treasures along the way ____________________________________________ SINGLE ISSUES: - Single issue, $3.99 (one time purchase, not ongoing) SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE: - One month for $1.99, automatically renewed until canceled - One year for $19.99, automatically renewed until canceled Smithsonian Magazine publishes 8 issues a year. Payment for any issue or subscription will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. SUBSCRIBERS AUTO-RENEWING FEATURE: Your subscription will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Your iTunes account will automatically be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and the cost of the renewal will be provided (yearly subscriptions will renew for another year and monthly subscriptions will renew for another month). Your subscription may be managed through your Account Settings after purchase. Auto-renewal may be turned off in Account Settings. No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during the active subscription period. Visit https://www.smithsonianmag.com/app/ and https://www.smithsonianmag.com/about/privacy/ for more information. ABOUT THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION: The Smithsonian Institution has inspired generations through knowledge and discovery since 1846. It's the world's largest complex of museums and research facilities, and it focuses on four core areas: Unlocking the Mysteries of the Universe, Understanding and Sustaining a Biodiverse Planet, World Cultures, and the American Experience. Privacy Statement: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/about/privacy/ Terms of Use: https://www.si.edu/termsofuse **Please note that the minimum requirements for Smithsonian Magazine is iOS 13 or higher.**

About

Decaf

This app offers a curated collection of over 23,000 public domain paintings from major museums. It provides a calm, algorithm-free browsing experience, allowing users to save and share art without tracking or ads. It's designed for mindful engagement with art.

Highlights
  • 23,000+ public domain paintings
  • Works from 9 major museums
  • High-resolution scans
  • No algorithm or ads
  • Save and share art
  • Learn about art and museums
Features
Read full description

Decaf is a different kind of scroll. While most apps are designed to pull you deeper, Decaf asks you to slow down. To take a breath. To spend a moment with a painting that someone poured their life into creating, and that now belongs to the world. Over 23,000 paintings from nine of the world's great museums are available in Decaf, including works from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Rijksmuseum, the Art Institute of Chicago, the National Gallery of Art, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Walters Art Museum, and the Belvedere in Vienna. These institutions have graciously made their collections available through open access programs, offering high resolution scans that do justice to the originals. Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Monet, Vermeer, and thousands of lesser-known works that deserve to be seen. There is no algorithm. No ads, ever. No one tracking what you linger on or skip. You can save a painting to your own private collection, or share one with someone via iMessage, WhatsApp, or email. But you cannot follow anyone, and no one can follow you. What you love is yours alone. This app is possible because of these institutions and their commitment to open access. Tap any institution name to learn more about the work, the artist, or the museum behind it. Decaf was made by a couple who still wanted to reach for their phones, but wanted that reach to feel restful rather than restless. The app is a small commitment to yourself: to ease past those first moments of less-stimulating scrolling, and to find something quieter and more lasting on the other side. At 99 cents, our promise is simple — no sponsorships, no incentives to keep you hooked. It's a one-time investment in a little more peace and focus. We hope you take your time with each painting. Find something you admire that you didn't think you would have. Look at each a little longer than planned.

Screenshots

Smithsonian Magazine4 screens
Decaf4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Decaf at 100% against Smithsonian Magazine's 22%. Decaf also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 10) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). Smithsonian Magazine's advantage is price (Free vs $0.99) and ratings volume (431 vs 6). On ads and device support 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

Smithsonian Magazine is free to download; Decaf costs $0.99 up front. Smithsonian Magazine sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Decaf asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Decaf holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Smithsonian Magazine has 431 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 22% of Smithsonian Magazine's written reviews are positive against 100% of Decaf's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Smithsonian Magazine ships an update every 5 months, Decaf monthly. Both last shipped on November 13, 2026.

Scorecard9 real differences · 2 level
Smithsonian Magazine versus Decaf: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmithsonian MagazineDecaf
PriceFree — better$0.99
Rating4.7 (431 ratings)5.0 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews22.1% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings431 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#194 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size62 MB4 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperSmithsonian InstitutionHARRISON JAMES LANUZA

Customer experience

Smithsonian Magazine

All ratings423 ratings
Positive93.4%
Neutral2.1%
Negative4.5%
Written reviews104 reviews
Positive22.1%
Neutral4.8%
Negative73.1%

Decaf

All ratings6 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Smithsonian Magazine

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Unable to download new issues
  • Fails to remember last read position
  • Incompatible with newer iOS versions
  • Incorrect issue labeling in library

Requested features

4 requests
  • Allow login with existing subscription
  • Restore previously downloaded issues
  • Improve stability and performance
  • Provide better customer support

Decaf

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Smithsonian Magazine

Subscriptions3
  • Smithsonian Annual Subscription$1.991 Month
  • Smithsonian Annual Subscription$19.991 Year
  • 12-Month Subscription$19.991 Year
One-time3
  • Smithsonian Magazine5 variants$3.99
  • Smithsonian Magazine - February 2014$3.99
  • Smithsonian Magazine - September 2014$3.99
None

Decaf

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Smithsonian Magazine free?
Smithsonian Magazine is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Decaf free?
Decaf costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Smithsonian Magazine or Decaf?
Decaf is rated higher. Smithsonian Magazine averages 4.7 out of 5 from 431 ratings, while Decaf averages 5.0 from 6 ratings.
Do Smithsonian Magazine or Decaf have ads?
Neither Smithsonian Magazine nor Decaf shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Smithsonian Magazine or Decaf?
Smithsonian Magazine ships an update every 5 months, and Decaf monthly. Most recently, Smithsonian Magazine was updated on November 13, 2026 and Decaf on November 13, 2026.

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