TheMercury vs Interesting Engineering
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
TheMercury
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The Mercury newspaper South Africa -- get a head start. TheMercury allows you to subscribe to four auto-renewable subscriptions: • 1 month ZAR 15.99 • 3 month ZAR 39.99 • 6 month ZAR 39.99 • 1 year ZAR 169.99 •Payment will be charged to 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 •Your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and the cost of renewal is •You may manage your subscriptions and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the your Account Settings after purchase •No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during active subscription period •Any unused portion of a free trial period, will be forfeited when you purchase an in-app subscription or if you decide to migrate to an authorized subscription from in-app. •Terms of Use: http://themercury.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/iphone/homepage.aspx#_terms •Privacy Policy: http://themercury.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/iphone/homepage.aspx#_privacy
Interesting Engineering
Stay informed on the latest breakthroughs in science, technology, AI, space, and engineering. This app provides expert reporting and in-depth analysis of discoveries and emerging technologies shaping our future. Access articles, videos, podcasts, and exclusive content through a subscription.
- Latest science and technology news
- Breakthroughs in AI and robotics
- Space exploration and aerospace updates
- Physics and quantum technology research
- Energy and climate innovation
- Engineering and invention highlights
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Trusted by 25M+ readers worldwide, Interesting Engineering brings the biggest breakthroughs in science, technology, AI, space, and engineering into one place. Stay ahead with expert reporting on the discoveries, inventions, and emerging technologies shaping our future. From artificial intelligence and robotics to space exploration, physics, energy, and engineering, Interesting Engineering helps you understand what’s happening, why it matters, and what could come next. Explore the latest science news, technology news, engineering breakthroughs, and scientific research from around the world. Follow advances in AI, quantum technology, nuclear energy, aerospace, robotics, electric vehicles, climate technology, defense, and more. The app is free to download. Browse the latest stories and preview headlines for free, then subscribe to unlock unlimited access to articles, videos, podcasts, and exclusive reporting. WHY INTERESTING ENGINEERING? Go beyond the headlines with stories that explain the technology and science changing our world. * Discover the latest science and technology news * Follow breakthroughs in AI, robotics, and emerging technology * Explore space, NASA, aerospace, and space exploration * Understand advances in physics, quantum technology, and scientific research * Track energy, nuclear technology, EVs, and climate innovation * Read about drones, defense, military technology, and next-generation engineering * Learn from researchers, scientists, founders, and engineers WHAT YOU GET WITH A SUBSCRIPTION * Unlimited access to all Interesting Engineering articles and videos * Premium interviews with researchers, founders, scientists, and engineers * Exclusive podcasts and audio content * Daily quizzes * Clean, ad-free reading experience * In-depth reporting on the technologies shaping the future EXPLORE THE WORLD OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AI & EMERGING TECHNOLOGY Follow artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, automation, and the emerging technologies transforming industries and everyday life. SPACE & AEROSPACE Explore NASA missions, space exploration, rockets, satellites, aerospace engineering, astronomy, and the technology taking humanity beyond Earth. PHYSICS & QUANTUM Discover new research in physics, quantum technology, materials science, and the scientific breakthroughs expanding our understanding of the universe. ENERGY & CLIMATE Stay informed about renewable energy, nuclear energy, clean technology, electric vehicles, sustainability, and climate innovation. ENGINEERING & INNOVATION See remarkable inventions, engineering projects, infrastructure, machines, and research from engineers and scientists around the world. ROBOTICS, DRONES & DEFENSE Follow robotics, autonomous systems, drones, aviation, military technology, defense engineering, and next-generation aircraft. SCIENCE & RESEARCH Keep up with scientific discoveries, research, biotechnology, health technology, and new ideas that could shape the future. MADE FOR CURIOUS MINDS Interesting Engineering is built for engineers, scientists, researchers, technology enthusiasts, students, professionals, and anyone curious about science, technology, engineering, AI, and the future. Whether you want to follow the latest AI breakthrough, understand a new discovery in physics, explore NASA and space technology, learn about nuclear energy, or simply stay informed about the world’s most exciting innovations, Interesting Engineering keeps you connected to what’s next. SUBSCRIPTION OPTIONS * Monthly: $4.99 * Annual: $41.99 Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Policies: https://interestingengineering.com/policies
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Interesting Engineering at every 2 weeks against TheMercury's every 17 months. Interesting Engineering also leads on chart position (#171 vs unranked). TheMercury's advantage is iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.0). 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
Both are free to download. TheMercury sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Interesting Engineering sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
TheMercury ships an update every 17 months, Interesting Engineering every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | TheMercury | Interesting Engineering |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 4.8 (131 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 70.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 131 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 17 months | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | #171 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 50 MB | 118 MB |
| Age rating | 9+ | 17+ |
| Developer | PressReader Inc | IE Media, Inc. |
In-app purchases
TheMercury
- The Mercury$1.991 Month
- The Mercury$4.993 Months
- The Mercury$9.996 Months
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- The Mercury$20.991 Year
Interesting Engineering
- Monthly Plan$4.991 Month
- Quarterly Plan$16.993 Months
- IE+ 3 day Trial Yearly Subscription3 Days trial$41.991 Year
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- IE+ Yearly Special Offer1 Year trial$41.991 Year
- Annually Plan$41.991 Year
- Annually Plan1 Year trial$41.991 Year
Questions
Is TheMercury free?
Is Interesting Engineering free?
Do TheMercury or Interesting Engineering have ads?
Which is updated more often, TheMercury or Interesting Engineering?
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