Utne Reader vs Free Speech TV
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Utne Reader
This app curates essential stories from independent voices, focusing on environmental issues, marginalized communities, and political events. It also highlights the impact of art, philosophy, and spirituality.
- Independent voices
- Cultural zeitgeist focus
- Environmental crisis coverage
- Marginalized communities spotlight
- Political strife analysis
- Art, philosophy, spirituality appreciation
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Utne Reader assembles the most relevant stories of the day with a focus on independent voices – agents of change working from the trenches of the cultural zeitgeist. We profile the issues that matter most, shining a spotlight on environmental crises, marginalized communities, and political strife. Plus, we make time to appreciate the regenerative power of art, philosophy, and spirituality in all its forms.
Free Speech TV
Access news and stories focused on building a more just world. This independent network provides diverse perspectives and alternative voices in media, championing social, economic, and environmental justice through progressive programming.
- Diverse perspectives in media
- Alternative voices
- Social, economic, environmental justice focus
- Independent news
- Documentaries
- Progressive programming
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News and stories to build a more just world. FSTV is a non-profit, independent network dedicated to providing diverse perspectives and alternative voices in media. With a commitment to promoting social, economic, and environmental justice, FSTV offers a platform for independent news, documentaries, and progressive programming.
Screenshots
Verdict
Utne Reader and Free Speech TV both sit at 4.9 stars, but that hides the real split: 72% of Free Speech TV's written reviews are positive against 0% of Utne Reader's. Free Speech TV also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 11) and ratings volume (534 vs 16). Utne Reader's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.6). On price, rating, 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
Both are free to download. Utne Reader sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $17.99 per 6 months. Free Speech TV asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Utne Reader against 4.8 for Free Speech TV. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Free Speech TV has 534 ratings behind it against 16, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 0% of Utne Reader's written reviews are positive against 72% of Free Speech TV's.
Utne Reader ships an update every 3 months, Free Speech TV every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Utne Reader | Free Speech TV |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (16 ratings) — better | 4.8 (534 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | 72.2% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 16 | 534 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Ad-supported — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — better |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 48 MB | 76 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Ogden Publications, Inc. | Public Communicators, Inc. |
Customer experience
Utne Reader
Free Speech TV
Bugs and requests
Utne Reader
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Free Speech TV
Reported bugs
7 issues- LG TV live stream not working
- Apple TV connection issues with HomePod Mini
- App shuts off when switching apps or locking phone
- App not updated in two years
- Stephanie Miller show episodes not updating
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- App will not download on Apple TV
- Unable to access content after donation
Requested features
5 requests- Update the app (iOS 17)
- Allow background listening (podcast mode)
- Fix Stephanie Miller show updates
- Make app downloadable on Apple TV
- Provide access to content after donation
In-app purchases
Utne Reader
- Utne Reader - The best of the alternative press1 Month trial$17.996 Months
- Utne Reader - The best of the alternative press1 Month trial$35.991 Year
- November/December 2013$6.99
- March/April 2014$6.99
- Winter 2014$6.99
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- September 2016 Digital$6.99
- Utne Reader Feed 2$6.99
- Utne Reader Feed 3$6.99
- Winter 2016$9.99
- Winter 2017$9.99
- Summer 2018$9.99
Free Speech TV
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Utne Reader free?
Is Free Speech TV free?
Which has better reviews, Utne Reader or Free Speech TV?
Do Utne Reader or Free Speech TV have ads?
Which is updated more often, Utne Reader or Free Speech TV?
Other comparisons
