# Utne Reader vs Free Speech TV

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 (574 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.

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 574 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 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Utne Reader | Free Speech TV |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (16 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/utne-reader/id735180387/reviews)** | [4.8 (574 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/free-speech-tv/id1327029481/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 16 | **574** |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | **72.2% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Size | 48 MB | 76 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Ogden Publications, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/450808661) | [Public Communicators, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1327029480) |

## What reviewers say

### Utne Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/utne-reader/id735180387)

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.

**Highlights:** Independent voices, Cultural zeitgeist focus, Environmental crisis coverage, Marginalized communities spotlight, Political strife analysis, Art, philosophy, spirituality appreciation

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Utne Reader - The best of the alternative press | $17.99 | per 6 months |
| Utne Reader - The best of the alternative press | $35.99 | per year |
| November/December 2013 | $6.99 | one-time |
| March/April 2014 | $6.99 | one-time |
| Winter 2014 | $6.99 | one-time |
| September 2016 Digital | $6.99 | one-time |
| Utne Reader Feed 2 | $6.99 | one-time |
| Utne Reader Feed 3 | $6.99 | one-time |
| Winter 2016 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Winter 2017 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Summer 2018 | $9.99 | one-time |


### Free Speech TV

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/free-speech-tv/id1327029481)

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.

**Highlights:** Diverse perspectives in media, Alternative voices, Social, economic, environmental justice focus, Independent news, Documentaries, Progressive programming

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 📰 Real news source
- 💡 Unique information
- 👍 Informative content
- 💯 Honest journalism
- 🌟 Viewer-supported

**What reviewers complain about**

- 📺 Live stream not working (LG TV)
- 🔌 Fails to connect to Apple HomePod Mini
- 🚫 Cannot listen at work (forces video)
- 📱 App not updated for iOS 17
- ❌ Stephanie Miller show not updating

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- 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


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Utne Reader free?

Utne Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Free Speech TV free?

Free Speech TV is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Utne Reader or Free Speech TV?

Utne Reader is rated higher. Utne Reader averages 4.9 out of 5 from 16 ratings, while Free Speech TV averages 4.8 from 574 ratings.

### Do Utne Reader or Free Speech TV have ads?

Both Utne Reader and Free Speech TV show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Utne Reader or Free Speech TV?

Utne Reader ships an update every 3 months, and Free Speech TV every 2 months. Most recently, Utne Reader was updated on October 9, 2026 and Free Speech TV on October 23, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*