Comparison

Scientific American vs Domus

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

Head to head
About

Scientific American

Access expert insights on groundbreaking science and technology advances. Stay informed with news, commentary, and in-depth features from leading scientists. Explore the modern world through a trusted lens.

Highlights
  • Expert science and technology insights
  • News and commentary on current events
  • In-depth features by Nobel laureates
  • Coverage of important scientific advances
  • Essential guide to the modern world
Features
Read full description

Founded in 1845, Scientific American provides expert insights on the most important and awe-inspiring advances in science and technology. With news and commentary about current events and in-depth features by experts, including more than 200 Nobel Prize-winning scientists, Scientific American is the essential guide to the modern world. Support Science Journalism. Become a Subscriber. A subscription to Scientific American is available through iTunes for $49.99 annually and is renewed automatically at the end of the subscription term, until canceled. Individual issues are $9.99 each. Payment for all purchases will be charged to your iTunes account. For more information, please visit iTunes Terms and Conditions: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/volume/us/terms.html Founded in 1845, Scientific American provides expert insights on the most important and awe-inspiring advances in science and technology. With news and commentary about current events and in-depth features by experts, including more than 200 Nobel Prize-winning scientists, Scientific American is the essential guide to the modern world. Support Science Journalism. Become a Subscriber. Scientific American Customer Service: Email: help@sciam.com

About

Domus

Access the latest and past issues of a renowned architecture and design magazine on your tablet, smartphone, or desktop. Enjoy offline reading with stunning visuals and easy navigation. Offers various subscription options and single issue purchases.

Highlights
  • Digital magazine access
  • Offline reading
  • Stunning photography
  • Access to past issues
  • Multi-device compatibility
Read full description

Each month, Domus iPad features all the contents of the printed edition of one of the most authoritative architecture and design magazine, founded by Gio Ponti in 1928. Domus Digital Edition offers the great advantage of being viewable on your tablet, smartphone and desktop. Domus Digital Edition features include: - easy and immediate consultation - full offline reading of all the contents - stunning pictures and photography - guaranteed access to all past issues previously downloaded Domus Digital Edition is free for subscribers to the print edition. If you are a subscriber to the digital edition, or if you have purchased any digital issues of the magazine, please log on, go to Subscribers and select the Restore in-app purchases function. This will allow you to access your previous purchases. Domus Digital Edition offers also three recurring subscriptions: - 1 months subscription at 6,99 €; - 3 months subscription at 14,99 €; - 1 year subscription at 42,99 €; - single issue at 6,99 €. Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase Terms & conditions - http://www.edidomus.it/testoCopyRight.htm Privacy - https://www.domusweb.it/en/disclaimer.html

Screenshots

Scientific American4 screens
Domus4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Scientific American at 4.8 against Domus's 4.1. Scientific American also leads on ratings volume (10K vs 11) and chart position (#103 vs unranked). Domus's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and review sentiment (84% vs 48%). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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

Both are free to download. Scientific American sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month and Domus sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $5.49 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Scientific American holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Scientific American has 10K ratings behind it against 11, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 48% of Scientific American's written reviews are positive against 84% of Domus's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Scientific American ships an update every 5 months, Domus every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 9, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Scientific American versus Domus: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScientific AmericanDomus
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (10K ratings) — better4.1 (11 ratings)
Positive reviews48.4% of reviews84.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings10K — better11
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#103 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB85 MB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperSpringer Nature America, Inc.Editoriale Domus SpA

Customer experience

Scientific American

All ratings10,109 ratings
Positive95.4%
Neutral1.9%
Negative2.7%
Written reviews339 reviews
Positive48.4%
Neutral8.3%
Negative43.4%

Domus

All ratings11 ratings
Positive81.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative18.2%
Written reviews103 reviews
Positive84.5%
Neutral5.8%
Negative9.7%

Bugs and requests

Scientific American

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Frequent login issues and lost subscriptions
  • Unreliable downloads and disappearing content
  • Crashes and performance problems, especially on newer iOS
  • Outdated app design and lack of modern features

Requested features

6 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Improved bookmarking and article saving
  • Better search and organization tools
  • Ability to adjust font size and display settings
  • Seamless sync across devices
Show 1 more
  • More interactive and multimedia content

Domus

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Scientific American

Subscriptions3
  • 1 Month Subscription$5.991 Month
  • Scientific American - 1 year Subscription$34.991 Year
  • 1 Year Subscription$49.991 Year
One-time7
  • Scientific American October 2012 issue$5.99
  • Scientific American February 2013 issue$5.99
  • Scientific American August 2013 issue$5.99
Show 4 more
  • Scientific American September 2013 issue$5.99
  • Scientific American January 2014 issue$5.99
  • Scientific American issue for November 2014$5.99
  • Scientific American issue for September 2015$5.99
10 purchases

Domus

Subscriptions3
  • Domus$5.491 Month
  • Domus (3 issues)$13.493 Months
  • Domus (11 issues)$39.991 Year
One-time7
  • Domus 965EN$5.99
  • Domus 982 July 2014$5.99
  • Domus 984 September 2014$5.99
Show 4 more
  • Domus 987 December 2014$5.99
  • Domus, March 2016$5.99
  • Domus, July 2016$5.99
  • Domus, January 2017$5.99

Questions

Is Scientific American free?
Scientific American is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Domus free?
Domus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Scientific American or Domus?
Scientific American is rated higher. Scientific American averages 4.8 out of 5 from 10K ratings, while Domus averages 4.1 from 11 ratings.
Do Scientific American or Domus have ads?
Neither Scientific American nor Domus shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Scientific American or Domus?
Scientific American ships an update every 5 months, and Domus every 2 months. Most recently, Scientific American was updated on November 9, 2026 and Domus on November 6, 2026.

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