Comparison

New Scientist vs Environmental Observer

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

Head to head
About

New Scientist

Access award-winning journalism on science and technology. Read daily news, watch videos, and listen to podcasts covering topics from AI to quantum physics. Log in with your subscription for full access.

Highlights
  • Daily news updates
  • Latest issue access
  • Science videos
  • Weekly podcast
  • Audio articles
Features
Read full description

Discover award-winning journalism with the New Scientist app. From artificial intelligence to climate change, and the latest innovations in healthcare to the mysteries of quantum physics and the human mind, New Scientist is your trusted, impartial source of information about what is going on in the world. Read daily news updates and our latest issues Watch fascinating videos – from robotics to rare animal behaviour Listen to our weekly podcast and audio articles Download the app for free now. Already a subscriber? Log in with your newscientist.com account to unlock your full access. Need help? Visit newscientist.com/help Terms of Use: https://www.newscientist.com/terms/

About

Environmental Observer

Features
Read full description

Environmental Observer is your mobile gateway to real-world eco-stories, community action and global impact. With this app you can: • Browse curated environmental news and reports from communities worldwide (powered by EnvironmentalObserver.com) • Submit your own observations — wildlife sightings, landscape changes, pollution events, habitat restoration in progress • Upload photos/videos and geotag your entries for local mapping and global sharing • Follow topics you care about — climate change, conservation, clean energy, biodiversity • Receive alerts/custom feeds when new posts arrive in your network or region • Save, bookmark and share your favourite stories across social media Environmental Observer empowers you to become an informed citizen scientist and share your voice in the movement for a healthier planet. Join the community today!

Screenshots

New Scientist4 screens
Environmental Observer3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Environmental Observer at none against New Scientist's 11. Environmental Observer also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.0). New Scientist's advantage is chart position (#78 vs unranked). On price, ads 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. New Scientist sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Environmental Observer asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

New Scientist ships an update every 2 months, Environmental Observer weekly. Both last shipped on October 19, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
New Scientist versus Environmental Observer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNew ScientistEnvironmental Observer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (5.6K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews68.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings5.6K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
Best chart rank#78 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size36 MB31 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperNew Scientist LtdUCPM

Bugs and requests

New Scientist

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App fails to recognize active subscriptions
  • Downloading and accessing content is unreliable
  • Frequent crashes and performance issues
  • Inconsistent user experience across platforms

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add dark mode option
  • Improve navigation and ability to resume reading
  • Implement better syncing and cross-device access
  • Provide more customization options for text size and font

Environmental Observer

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

11 purchases

New Scientist

Subscriptions4
  • 1 Month Subscription1 Month trial$9.991 Month
  • 3 Month Subscription$49.993 Months
  • 1 Year Subscription$99.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • 12 Month Subscription$179.991 Year
One-time7
  • August 30 2014$1.99
  • October 04 2014$1.99
  • July 16 2016$1.99
Show 4 more
  • September 03 2016$1.99
  • October 01 2016$1.99
  • November 19 2016$1.99
  • Essential Guide 10$9.99
None

Environmental Observer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is New Scientist free?
New Scientist is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Environmental Observer free?
Environmental Observer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do New Scientist or Environmental Observer have ads?
Neither New Scientist nor Environmental Observer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, New Scientist or Environmental Observer?
New Scientist ships an update every 2 months, and Environmental Observer weekly. Most recently, New Scientist was updated on October 19, 2026 and Environmental Observer on October 19, 2026.

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