Comparison

Deepika vs VaticanState

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

Head to head
About

Deepika

This app provides access to a historic Malayalam newspaper, tracing its origins back to India's first Malayalam publication in 1887. It chronicles the evolution of journalism in Kerala and the newspaper's growth over time.

Highlights
  • Historical newspaper archive
  • Evolution of Kerala journalism
  • Founder's vision and impact
  • Growth of publication frequency
  • Contributions from diverse society
Features
Read full description

The dawn of April 15, 1887 witnessed a rare moment in the history of publishing in Kerala when Deepika, (Nazrani Deepika- as it was initially named) India's first Malayalam Newspaper was first published. A marvel at that time, it was the realization and fulfillment of a long-cherished dream of many, which its Founder Editor Fr. Emmanuel Nidhiry (Nidhirikal Mani Kathanar), a renowned priest and perceptive, creative thinker of those times, initiated and shaped. The newspaper was initially printed on a crude, hand-made wooden press built by the legendary and far-sighted visionary Carmelite monk, Fr. Kuriakose Elias Chavara (now Saint Chavara) at Mannanam; a remote hamlet near the town of Kottayam in Central Kerala over a quarter century before then. This event further marked the epoch-making but humble dawn of organized, elite, free press journalism in Kerala. The Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI) congregation managed the newspaper till 1989, when it was converted into a Limited Company with public participation named Rashtra Deepika Ltd.; with a view to giving it fresh impetus, added professionalism and new ethos. The newspaper's founders had high and noble ambitions for this unique project that served as a major milestone in the evolution and advancement of literacy in Kerala. Under the dynamic leadership of Fr. Emmanuel Nidhiri, (a versatile genius and renowned philosopher of those times) and his team of thinkers, Nazrani Deepika marched unflinchingly over the years into the 20th Century, growing in stature and spreading its wings further. The printing frequency gradually increased from weekly to twice a week and later thrice a week. Correspondents and contributors were from virtually all segments of society.

About

VaticanState

Features
Read full description

Information from the Governorate of the Vatican City State, always and everywhere. The App is designed to make it easier and simpler to read the information available on the official website (http://www.vaticanstate.va). The App offers many features that allow you to personalize your reading experience. The Governorate’s information is organized in a simple and intuitive main menu, adapted to your device. The download of the App is free of charge.

Screenshots

Deepika4 screens
VaticanState4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Deepika at every 9 days against VaticanState's monthly. 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Deepika ships an update every 9 days, VaticanState monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Deepika versus VaticanState: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDeepikaVaticanState
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (26 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings26 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 9 days — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.014
Further details — not scored
Size48 MB34 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRASHTRA DEEPIKA LIMITEDGovernatorato dello Stato della Città del Vaticano

In-app purchases

None

Deepika

No in-app purchases

None

VaticanState

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Deepika free?
Deepika is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is VaticanState free?
VaticanState is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Deepika or VaticanState have ads?
Neither Deepika nor VaticanState shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Deepika or VaticanState?
Deepika ships an update every 9 days, and VaticanState monthly. Most recently, Deepika was updated on September 24, 2026 and VaticanState on September 15, 2026.

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