Comparison

The National E vs Railnews

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

Head to head
About

The National E

Access and read The National Newspaper exactly as it appears in its print edition. Stay informed with the latest news presented in a familiar layout. This application provides a direct digital replica of the physical publication.

Highlights
  • Read print edition replica
  • Access latest news
  • Digital newspaper format
  • Familiar layout
Features
Read full description

The National E-Reader Read The National Newspaper as it appears in print.

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

The National E4 screens
Railnews4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: The National E at 67% against Railnews's 0%. The National E also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 21). Railnews's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 17.6). On price, update cadence 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. Railnews sells 21 in-app purchases, starting at $15.99 per 6 months. The National E asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

The National E ships an update every 8 months, Railnews every 12 months. Both last shipped on October 23, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
The National E versus Railnews: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThe National ERailnews
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (138 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings138 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 8 months — betterEvery 12 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.610.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size45 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPressReader IncJellyfish Connect Limited

Customer experience

The National E

All ratings138 ratings
Positive94.9%
Neutral2.9%
Negative2.2%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

Railnews

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

In-app purchases

None

The National E

No in-app purchases

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 The National E free?
The National E is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Railnews free?
Railnews is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do The National E or Railnews have ads?
The National E shows ads; Railnews does not.
Which is updated more often, The National E or Railnews?
The National E ships an update every 8 months, and Railnews every 12 months. Most recently, The National E was updated on October 23, 2026 and Railnews on October 23, 2026.

Other comparisons