Comparison

The National E vs Benalla Ensign

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

Benalla Ensign

Stay informed with breaking news and top stories delivered directly to your device. Access exclusive content, including daily puzzles and games, with a premium subscription.

Highlights
  • Breaking headlines
  • Push notifications
  • Digital Premium subscription
  • Today's Paper access
  • Daily Crosswords
  • Daily Sudoku
Features
Read full description

Get the stories that matter to you with the Benalla Ensign app. Top Stories and push notifications keep you up to date with breaking headlines. The app is free to download. You can unlock unlimited access to all content with a Digital Premium subscription through the App Store via in-app purchase, including features such as Today's Paper, puzzles and games including Daily Crosswords and Daily Sudoku. Additional information about Apple subscriptions: • Purchase of an auto-renewable, monthly subscription is required to access content on the Benalla Ensign app • Premium Digital subscriptions are available for AU$12.99 for the first three months and then AU$8.99 per month (or local currency equivalent) thereafter • Payment will be charged to your 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. Auto-renewal may be turned off by going to your iTunes App Store Account Settings after purchase • Your iTunes account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period • No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during the active subscription period • For full Subscription Terms and Conditions, please visit https://www.benallaensign.com.au/subscription-terms-conditions/, and for our Privacy Policy, please visit https://www.benallaensign.com.au/privacy-policy/

Screenshots

The National E4 screens
Benalla Ensign4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: The National E at 67% against Benalla Ensign's 0%. The National E also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (every 8 months vs every 17 months). Benalla Ensign's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, device support and iOS requirement 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. Benalla Ensign sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $5.99 per month. The National E asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

The National E ships an update every 8 months, Benalla Ensign every 17 months. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
The National E versus Benalla Ensign: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThe National EBenalla Ensign
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (138 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings138 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 8 months — betterEvery 17 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.616.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size45 MB31 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperPressReader IncMCPHERSON NEWSPAPERS PROPRIETARY LIMITED

Customer experience

The National E

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

Benalla Ensign

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

The National E

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Benalla Ensign

Subscriptions1
  • Digital Premium3 Months trial$5.991 Month

Questions

Is The National E free?
The National E is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Benalla Ensign free?
Benalla Ensign is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do The National E or Benalla Ensign have ads?
The National E shows ads; Benalla Ensign does not.
Which is updated more often, The National E or Benalla Ensign?
The National E ships an update every 8 months, and Benalla Ensign every 17 months. Most recently, The National E was updated on October 10, 2026 and Benalla Ensign on October 8, 2026.

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