# Cyclone Insider vs Mat Bracket Challenge

The clearest difference is ads: Mat Bracket Challenge at none against Cyclone Insider's shown. Mat Bracket Challenge also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs monthly) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.6). On price, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Cyclone Insider sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Mat Bracket Challenge sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Cyclone Insider ships an update monthly, Mat Bracket Challenge fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Cyclone Insider | Mat Bracket Challenge |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (1.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cyclone-insider/id908832878/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **1.1K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 63.6% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 184 MB | 51 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [USA TODAY Co., Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/404843797) | [Jacob Anderson](https://appshunter.io/developer/6792960985) |

## What reviewers say

### Cyclone Insider

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cyclone-insider/id908832878)

Stay updated with Iowa State Cyclones news, scores, and analysis. Access exclusive content, live game coverage, photos, and videos from a trusted local source. Manage your subscription easily through your device settings.

**Highlights:** Latest news and headlines, Live game coverage, Exclusive commentary and analysis, Award-winning photos and videos, Scores, stats, and rosters, Tweet integration

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 Month of App Access | $3.99 | per month |
| Cyclone Insider | $9.99 | per month |
| 1 Year of App Access | $35.99 | per year |
| 1 Month of App Access | $39.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great app for ISU sports info
- 💡 Provides inside information on Cyclones
- 🚀 Excellent reporting and coverage

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App not working/loading issues
- 🔒 Articles now behind paywall
- 💡 Could be updated more frequently

**Reported bugs**

- App not working on iPad
- Loading errors on various devices

**Requested features**

- Restore play-by-play updates
- Make all articles accessible without subscription


### Mat Bracket Challenge

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mat-bracket-challenge/id6792960983)

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Draft League Seats ×5 | $4.95 | one-time |
| Draft League Seats ×11 | $10.90 | one-time |
| Draft League Seats ×20 | $19.90 | one-time |
| Draft League Seats ×22 | $21.90 | one-time |
| Draft League Seats ×24 | $23.90 | one-time |
| Draft League Seats ×25 | $24.90 | one-time |
| Draft League Seats ×26 | $25.90 | one-time |
| Draft League Seats ×27 | $26.90 | one-time |
| Draft League Seats ×28 | $27.90 | one-time |
| Draft League Seats ×30 | $29.90 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Cyclone Insider free?

Cyclone Insider is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Mat Bracket Challenge free?

Mat Bracket Challenge is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Cyclone Insider or Mat Bracket Challenge have ads?

Cyclone Insider shows ads; Mat Bracket Challenge does not.

### Which is updated more often, Cyclone Insider or Mat Bracket Challenge?

Cyclone Insider ships an update monthly, and Mat Bracket Challenge fortnightly. Most recently, Cyclone Insider was updated on October 6, 2026 and Mat Bracket Challenge on October 17, 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.*