Comparison

Metropolis Mag vs New Philosopher

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

Head to head
About

Metropolis Mag

Explore the intersection of design and culture with in-depth articles and critical views. Each issue connects design trends to broader societal shifts, offering an inquisitive outlook on the future of the designed environment.

Highlights
  • In-depth design stories
  • Links design to cultural trends
  • Critical views on design
  • Inquisitive outlook
  • Covers maker movement and big data
Features
Read full description

This app is closing on October 25, 2026. Since 1981, Metropolis magazine has been the voice on design at all scales. Each issue delivers stories that link design to evolving cultural trends, from big data to the maker movement. Join Metropolis for its critical views, solid storytelling, and inquisitive outlook that will help chart the future of the designed environment. *Digital Subscription* • This app will no longer be available after October 25, 2026. • You can manage your subscriptions and turn off auto-renewal by going to your Account Settings. • Visit http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4098 for more information. For Terms of Use see https://sandowdesign.com/legal/terms/

About

New Philosopher

Explore philosophical ideas from past and present thinkers to find solutions for fundamental human problems and live a more fulfilling life. This app delves into contemporary societal challenges and offers insights for personal growth.

Highlights
  • Explores philosophical ideas
  • Addresses fundamental human problems
  • Seeks solutions to contemporary issues
  • Offers insights for a fulfilling life
  • Content from past and present thinkers
Features
Read full description

New Philosopher is for curious people seeking solutions to the fundamental problems faced by humankind. New Philosopher is devoted to exploring philosophical ideas from past and present thinkers on ways to live a more fulfilling life, and to seek to find solutions to the most pressing problems faced by humans in contemporary society. Pricing for subscriptions available: ­• Single issue: $7.99 • 1 year subscription = $29.99, automatically renewed until cancelled When purchasing through iTunes your account will be charged at confirmation of purchase. Your subscription will auto­-renew unless you turn this off 24 hours before the subscription runs out. You can turn off auto­-renewal at any time from your iTunes account settings. You can manage your subscription through your account settings after purchase on your device. No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during active subscription period Terms of Service : https://www.newphilosopher.com/privacy/ Privacy Policy : https://www.newphilosopher.com/privacy/

Screenshots

Metropolis Mag4 screens
New Philosopher4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Metropolis Mag at 5.0 against New Philosopher's 2.0. New Philosopher's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and review sentiment (33% vs 0%). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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. Metropolis Mag sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per year and New Philosopher sells 17 in-app purchases, starting at $15.99 per 3 months. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Metropolis Mag holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 4 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 0% of Metropolis Mag's written reviews are positive against 33% of New Philosopher's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Metropolis Mag ships an update every 3 months, New Philosopher every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Metropolis Mag versus New Philosopher: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMetropolis MagNew Philosopher
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (4 ratings) — better2.0 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews33.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings44
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size23 MB97 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSandowZinio Pro

Customer experience

Metropolis Mag

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative80.0%

New Philosopher

All ratings4 ratings
Positive25.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative75.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral11.1%
Negative55.6%

In-app purchases

11 purchases

Metropolis Mag

Subscriptions1
  • Metropolis Magazine - 1 year subscription$19.991 Year
One-time10
  • Metropolis Magazine - October 2012$3.99
  • Metropolis Magazine - December 2012$3.99
  • Metropolis Magazine - April 2013$3.99
Show 7 more
  • Metropolis Magazine - June 2013$3.99
  • Metropolis Magazine - May 2014$3.99
  • Metropolis: 20141120154943$3.99
  • Metropolis: 20141120154944$3.99
  • Metropolis: 20141120154950$3.99
  • Metropolis: 20141120154952$3.99
  • September/October 2023$3.99
17 purchases

New Philosopher

Subscriptions2
  • 3 Month$15.993 Months
  • 1 Year1 Month trial$29.991 Year
One-time15
  • Issue 49$14.99
  • Issue 40 - June/August 2023$14.99
  • Dec 2021 / Feb 2022$14.99
Show 12 more
  • Sept - Nov 2021$14.99
  • Issue 44 - June/August 2024$14.99
  • Issue 43 - March/May 2024$14.99
  • August 2016$15.99
  • February 2017$15.99
  • May 2017$15.99
  • November 2017$15.99
  • February - April 2016$15.99
  • February 2018$15.99
  • August 2018$15.99
  • November 2018$15.99
  • Issue 23 - No.1/2019$15.99

Questions

Is Metropolis Mag free?
Metropolis Mag is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is New Philosopher free?
New Philosopher is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Metropolis Mag or New Philosopher?
Metropolis Mag is rated higher. Metropolis Mag averages 5.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while New Philosopher averages 2.0 from 4 ratings.
Do Metropolis Mag or New Philosopher have ads?
Neither Metropolis Mag nor New Philosopher shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Metropolis Mag or New Philosopher?
Metropolis Mag ships an update every 3 months, and New Philosopher every 5 months. Most recently, Metropolis Mag was updated on October 23, 2026 and New Philosopher on October 24, 2026.

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