Comparison

Himalaya Reader vs Railnews

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

Head to head
About

Himalaya Reader

Access a vast library of news articles, journals, and books for free, with no monthly reading limits. Listen to content on the go, even while multitasking, making information accessible anytime, anywhere.

Highlights
  • Free access to news and journals
  • Unlimited reading
  • Listen to content
  • Read web pages and books
  • Multitasking audio playback
Features
Read full description

Read your favorite Times, Posts, and Journals FREE, without Monthly limit. No time to sit down to read? Just Listen to them all, web pages or books, while you are busy with your other things in life.

About

Railnews

This publication delivers in-depth editorial and reader opinions on the rail industry. Access current and back issues, or subscribe for ongoing content. Protect your purchases by registering for an account.

Highlights
  • In-depth editorial content
  • Reader views and opinions
  • Purchase current and back issues
  • Subscription options available
  • Account registration for purchase protection
  • Cross-platform browsing of purchases
Features
Read full description

Railnews is the number one publication for the rail industry, focusing on the people and business that keep today’s railway running. Originally produced in 1963 as the house newspaper for British Rail, Railnews continues to inform and impress in the modern industry. As well as in-depth editorial, the newspaper features views and opinions from readers and industry insiders alike. ----------------------------- Paid for app downloads include one issue of the user's choice. Free app downloads do not include a free issue unless otherwise stated. The current issue, back issues and future issues can be purchased within the app. Subscriptions are also available within the application. When a recurring subscription is purchased the latest issue will become available to download immediately. Available subscriptions are: 6 months: £11.99 / US$16..99 (6 issues) 12 months: £19.99 / US$28.99 (12 issues) -The subscription will renew automatically unless cancelled more than 24 hours before the end of the current period. You will be charged for renewal within 24 hours of the end of the current period, for the same duration and at the current subscription rate for the product. -You may turn off the auto-renewal of subscriptions through your Account Settings, however you are not able to cancel the current subscription during its active period. -Payment will charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase and any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when a subscription to that publication is purchased. Bundles of single issues can be also be bought within the application. To use purchased credits, simply click on the issue price and select ‘use credit’. This allows you to purchase back issues at reduced prices. Users can register for/ login to a pocketmags account in-app. This will protect their issues in the case of a lost device and allow browsing of purchases on multiple platforms. Existing pocketmags users can retrieve their purchases by logging into their account. We recommend loading the app for the first time in a wi-fi area so that all issue data is retrieved. If your app will not load past the splash page after a first install or an update please click the settings cog, then click Settings then Refresh app data. If this also fails to work please delete and reinstall the app from the App Store Help and frequently asked questions be accessed in-app and on pocketmags. If you have any problems at all please do not hesitate to contact us: help@pocketmags.com -------------------- You can find our privacy policy here: http://www.pocketmags.com/privacy.aspx You can find our terms and conditions here: http://www.pocketmags.com/terms.aspx

Screenshots

Himalaya Reader3 screens
Railnews4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Himalaya Reader at 47% against Railnews's 0%. Himalaya Reader also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 12 months). Railnews's advantage is iOS requirement (10.0 vs 13.0). On price, ads, 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. Himalaya Reader sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and Railnews sells 21 in-app purchases, starting at $15.99 per 6 months. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Himalaya Reader ships an update every 6 weeks, Railnews every 12 months. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Himalaya Reader versus Railnews: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHimalaya ReaderRailnews
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (5 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews47.4% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings5 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 12 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.010.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB12 MB
Age rating17+4+
Developerhimalaya-softJellyfish Connect Limited

Customer experience

Himalaya Reader

All ratings5 ratings
Positive60.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews19 reviews
Positive47.4%
Neutral5.3%
Negative47.4%

Railnews

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Himalaya Reader

One-time2
  • Saving Article Service$0.99
  • Unlimited Reading$4.99
21 purchases

Railnews

Subscriptions2
  • Railnews Auto-Renewable Subscription$15.996 Months
  • Railnews Auto-Renewable Subscription$26.991 Year
One-time19
  • Railnews August 2014$2.99
  • Dec-15$2.99
  • Nov-15$2.99
Show 16 more
  • January 2016 (id:413528)$2.99
  • February 2016 (id:413530)$2.99
  • June 2016 (id:413538)$2.99
  • October 2023 (id:727086)$2.99
  • December 2023 (id:727082)$2.99
  • February 2024 (pp:1044371)$2.99
  • March 2024 (pp:1044365)$2.99
  • April 2024 (pp:1058416)$2.99
  • January 2025 (pp:1119962)$2.99
  • May 2025 (pp:1119954)$2.99
  • September 2024 (pp:1087442)$2.99
  • August 2024 (pp:1087448)$2.99
  • January 2024 (pp:1040169)$3.99
  • May 2026 (pp:1142953)$3.99
  • February 2026 (pp:1142931)$3.99
  • January 2026 (pp:1141885)$3.99

Questions

Is Himalaya Reader free?
Himalaya Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Railnews free?
Railnews is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Himalaya Reader or Railnews have ads?
Neither Himalaya Reader nor Railnews shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Himalaya Reader or Railnews?
Himalaya Reader ships an update every 6 weeks, and Railnews every 12 months. Most recently, Himalaya Reader was updated on November 1, 2026 and Railnews on November 1, 2026.

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