Comparison

AppleInsider vs NewsBudz

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

Head to head
About

AppleInsider

Stay informed with the latest Apple news, rumors, and expert commentary on your iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Get breaking news alerts, access video reviews, and listen to podcasts. Subscribers enjoy an ad-free experience.

Highlights
  • Breaking news push notifications
  • AI YouTube video library
  • Weekly podcasts
  • Live Apple event coverage
  • Ad-free subscription option
  • Optimized for iPhone and iPad
  • Apple Watch experience
Features
Read full description

The official AppleInsider app for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch serves as the most up-to-date and reliable source for all things Apple. Since 1997, AppleInsider has been the best destination for Apple-related news, rumors, reviews, expert commentary and more. And with the AppleInsider app, you can take all those news, tips, commentary, and reviews with you on the go, staying a step ahead of your friends with breaking news alerts and finger-tip access to the latest Apple news and rumors.   Features: - Be the first to know about breaking news and major announcements with push notifications sent directly to your device as they happen. - Access the AI YouTube video library to view product reviews, tutorials and more. - Listen to weekly podcasts and keep current with live Apple event coverage. - Subscribers can enjoy an ad-free viewing experience for $29.99 per year with an auto-renewable, annual subscription, or $2.99 a month. - Optimized for both iPhone and iPad. - Refreshed Apple Watch experience.   AppleInsider Pro subscription available: Besides one year of ad-free content for $29.99, a one-month subscription is available for $2.99. Both subscription tiers will automatically renew until canceled.   AppleInsider Pro Automatic-Renewal Feature: Your AppleInsider Pro digital subscription will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase and will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of your current period. Your iTunes account will automatically be charged at the same price for renewal, $29.99 per year, within 24 hours prior to the end of your current period.   Current subscriptions may not be canceled during the active subscription period, but you can manage your subscription and/or turn off auto-renewal by visiting your iTunes Account Settings after purchase.   For complete terms and conditions, please see our Terms of Use (http://www.appleinsider.com/terms-of-use) and Privacy Policy (http://www.appleinsider.com/privacy).

About

NewsBudz

Stay informed with the latest cannabis and medical marijuana news. This app aggregates trending headlines and developments from over 35 sources, covering adult use, recreational, and medical applications.

Highlights
  • Aggregates news from 35+ sources
  • Covers adult use and recreational news
  • Features medical marijuana developments
  • Easy-to-read format
  • Trending headlines and developments
Features
Read full description

NewsBudz delivers the top cannabis and medical marijuana news in one easy to read app. NewsBudz is the premier marijuana and medical cannabis news aggregator combining trending news from over 35 different sources to keep you uplifted and informed. The latest news headlines, trends and developments around adult use, recreational and medical marijuana are all baked in. Learn all about the latest uses and treatments available from natures greatest gift to humanity.

Screenshots

AppleInsider3 screens
NewsBudz4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: NewsBudz at 100% against AppleInsider's 29%. NewsBudz also leads on rating (4.7 vs 3.3) and monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription). AppleInsider's advantage is update cadence (every 8 months vs every 26 months). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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. AppleInsider sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and NewsBudz sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

NewsBudz holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 49 and 28 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 29% of AppleInsider's written reviews are positive against 100% of NewsBudz's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

AppleInsider ships an update every 8 months, NewsBudz every 26 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
AppleInsider versus NewsBudz: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAppleInsiderNewsBudz
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.3 (49 ratings)4.7 (28 ratings) — better
Positive reviews29.4% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings49 — better28
Update frequencyEvery 8 months — betterEvery 26 months
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.712.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB25 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperCraftedGlassWave LLC

Customer experience

AppleInsider

All ratings49 ratings
Positive46.9%
Neutral12.2%
Negative40.8%
Written reviews218 reviews
Positive29.4%
Neutral13.3%
Negative57.3%

NewsBudz

All ratings28 ratings
Positive89.3%
Neutral7.1%
Negative3.6%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

AppleInsider

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Crashes on iOS 14 and newer
  • Articles not loading properly
  • Widget functionality broken
  • Subscription issues and lack of cancellation options

Requested features

6 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Customizable notification settings
  • Ability to mark articles as read
  • App badge to show unread articles
  • iPad-optimized layout
Show 1 more
  • Landscape mode support for videos

NewsBudz

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

6 purchases

AppleInsider

Subscriptions2
  • Pro$2.991 Month
  • Pro$29.991 Year
One-time4
  • AppleInsider Subscription (1 Month)$0.99
  • AppleInsider Subscription (3 Months)$2.99
  • AppleInsider Subscription (6 Months)$4.99
Show 1 more
  • AppleInsider Subscription (1 Year)$8.99
3 purchases

NewsBudz

One-time3
  • Kind Tip$4.99
  • Generous Tip$14.99
  • Amazing Tip$42.99

Questions

Is AppleInsider free?
AppleInsider is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is NewsBudz free?
NewsBudz is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, AppleInsider or NewsBudz?
NewsBudz is rated higher. AppleInsider averages 3.3 out of 5 from 49 ratings, while NewsBudz averages 4.7 from 28 ratings.
Do AppleInsider or NewsBudz have ads?
Both AppleInsider and NewsBudz show ads.
Which is updated more often, AppleInsider or NewsBudz?
AppleInsider ships an update every 8 months, and NewsBudz every 26 months. Most recently, AppleInsider was updated on October 29, 2026 and NewsBudz on October 21, 2026.

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