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Best Audio News Apps

206+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

4.6 avg rating
18 free apps
Updated June 2026

Out of 206+ audio news apps on iOS, 18 are free and the rest sit in the paid tier. This page sorts them so you can compare both sides before you commit.

Compare top Audio News Apps (June 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1Hourly NewsHourly News$0.994.5★ (484)NoYesJul 2026
2NPR: National & Local NewsNPR: National & Local NewsFree4.6★ (64K)YesNoJul 2026
3BBC: World News & StoriesBBC: World News & StoriesFree4.5★ (80K)YesYesJul 2026
4AP NewsAP NewsFree4.6★ (359K)YesNoJul 2026
5CNN: Live & Breaking NewsCNN: Live & Breaking NewsFree4.8★ (1.7M)YesYesJul 2026
6NYTimes: US and Global NewsNYTimes: US and Global NewsFree4.8★ (722K)YesYesJul 2026
7TuneIn Radio: Music & SportsTuneIn Radio: Music & SportsFree4.7★ (1.1M)YesYesJul 2026
8Noa: Listen to audio articlesNoa: Listen to audio articlesFree4.5★ (372)YesYesJul 2026

Top Picks for Audio News

Hourly News#1

Hourly News by Urban Apps

A One-Tap Hourly News App
Editor's Choice
📡 News
4.5😊(484 ratings)
$0.99In-App Purchases
#17in News
Hourly News screenshot 1
Hourly News screenshot 2
Hourly News screenshot 3
Hourly News screenshot 4
Hourly News screenshot 5

This app automatically plays the latest news updates from various sources when opened. It functions like a podcast app, offering access to numerous news feeds and allowing users to add their own custom sources. Enjoy background playback and seamless navigation through news segments.

What We Love

  • ⭐ Dependable and reliable
  • 🌍 Provides diverse news perspectives
  • 🕰️ Convenient hourly news updates
  • 🎧 Easy to use while multitasking

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Crashes or stops working
  • 🔊 Volume issues with certain sources
  • 🔒 Lack of customization options
NPR: National & Local News#2

NPR: National & Local News by NPR

Podcasts. Live Radio. Music.
Strong Contender
📡 News
4.6😐(64K ratings)
FreeAds
#33in News
NPR: National & Local News screenshot 1
NPR: National & Local News screenshot 2
NPR: National & Local News screenshot 3
NPR: National & Local News screenshot 4

Access breaking news, in-depth stories, and personalized audio streams from public radio. Discover podcasts, enjoy live music performances, and stream radio content from across the country. Enhance your listening experience with smart features and support public media.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Great but loses track after inactivity
  • 🚀 Excellent content
  • 🚀 Very high quality and reliable news
  • 🚀 Balanced and well-presented/organized news

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 App used 79GB of data in two weeks
  • 🐛 Broken, freezes, and crashes frequently
  • 🐛 Poor UI with ads
BBC: World News & Stories#3

BBC: World News & Stories by BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

Live, Breaking, Podcast, Video
Worth Considering
📡 News
4.5😞(80K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
#17in News
BBC: World News & Stories screenshot 1
BBC: World News & Stories screenshot 2
BBC: World News & Stories screenshot 3
BBC: World News & Stories screenshot 4
BBC: World News & Stories screenshot 5
BBC: World News & Stories screenshot 6

Access breaking news, in-depth articles, podcasts, and live video streams from a trusted global news network. Enjoy documentaries, sports updates, and customizable alerts. Save content for later and listen to radio shows on demand.

What We Love

  • 🗞️ Excellent news coverage
  • 🌍 Global perspective on news
  • 🗓️ Timely updates

Room to Improve

  • 🔍 Lack of customization options
  • 📢 Intrusive advertising
  • 🐛 Buggy performance and crashes

More Audio News apps to explore

4
AP News
AP News
AP News
Breaking World & Local News
Free

Get breaking world and local news, along with trending headlines. This app offers a personalized news feed, custom alerts, and in-depth content hubs for major events. Access award-winning photos, videos, and articles.

Breaking news updatesLocal news coveragePersonalized news feed
📡 News
(359K)
ad-supported
5
CNN: Live & Breaking News
CNN: Live & Breaking News
CNN: Live & Breaking News
Daily news you can trust
Free

Access breaking news, in-depth analysis, and live reporting from trusted journalists. Stay informed with articles, videos, podcasts, and live audio, covering global events, politics, health, and more.

Breaking news alertsLive video streamingIn-depth analysis
📡 News
(1.7M)
free with in-app purchases
6
NYTimes: US and Global News
NYTimes: US and Global News
NYTimes: US and Global News
Breaking News and Live Updates
Free

Access original reporting, breaking news, and in-depth analysis from around the globe. Stay informed with videos, podcasts, and personalized content. Includes games, recipes, and product reviews.

Breaking news and live updatesOriginal reporting and in-depth analysisNews videos and podcasts
📡 News
(722K)
freemium
7
TuneIn Radio: Music & Sports
TuneIn Radio: Music & Sports
TuneIn Radio: Music & Sports
Listen to News & FM Stations
Free

Access over 100,000 live radio stations worldwide, plus exclusive news, sports, music, podcasts, and audiobooks. Enjoy personalized streams and on-demand content across all your devices.

100,000+ live AM/FM radio stationsExclusive news, sports, music, podcasts, audiobooksApple Music Radio streaming
🎵 Music
(1.1M)
free with in-app purchases
8
Noa: Listen to audio articles
Noa: Listen to audio articles
Noa: Listen to audio articles
From HBR, Economist, Bloomberg
Free

Listen to insightful audio articles from top publications like HBR and Bloomberg. Enjoy human-read content while multitasking, with features like offline listening and adjustable playback speed. Access unlimited, ad-free content with a premium membership.

Human-read audio articlesOffline listeningApple CarPlay support
📡 News
(372)
subscription
9
BBC World Service
BBC World Service
BBC World Service
by Zeno Media LLC
Free

Access the latest news headlines and radio programs from the BBC World Service. Listen to popular shows like The Global News Podcast and Newshour via an audio player or a standard-rate telephone dial-up service. Stay informed with global news updates.

Latest news headlinesAudio player for radio programsTelephone dial-up option
📡 News
(66K)
free with in-app purchases
10
FOX News: US & World Headlines
FOX News: US & World Headlines
FOX News: US & World Headlines
Media, Politics & True Crime
Free

Access 24/7 breaking national and international news with expert analysis. Watch live streams and on-demand videos of your favorite shows, listen to podcasts, and stay updated on politics, business, tech, and more.

24/7 breaking news updatesLive stream and on-demand videoPodcasts and audio news
📡 News
(402K)
free with in-app purchases
11
Google News
Google News
Google News
Top world & local news stories
Free

This app aggregates and highlights global and local news stories tailored to your interests. It provides personalized briefings, in-depth coverage from multiple sources, and allows you to follow specific topics and news outlets. Stay informed on the go or on your desktop.

Personalized news briefingsLocal news from your areaFull coverage with multiple perspectives
📡 News
(226K)
free with in-app purchases
12
Simply News: Short Audio News
Simply News: Short Audio News
Simply News: Short Audio News
30 Seconds News Summary
Free
📰 Magazines & Newspapers
(0)
13
Apple Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
Audio that informs & inspires
Free

Discover and listen to a vast library of podcasts that entertain, inform, and inspire. Get personalized recommendations and curated collections to explore new shows. Seamlessly sync your listening progress across all your Apple devices.

Listen and watch podcastsDownload and play offlinePersonalized recommendations
🎬 Entertainment
(2.1M)
free with in-app purchases
14
TuneIn Radio: Music & Sports
TuneIn Radio: Music & Sports
TuneIn Radio: Music & Sports
Live News, Local FM Stations
$9.99

Access over 100,000 live AM/FM radio stations, news, sports, music, podcasts, and audiobooks. Enjoy personalized content and exclusive features with an optional premium subscription.

100,000+ live AM/FM radio stationsLive news from top sourcesLive sports coverage
🎵 Music
(57K)
free with in-app purchases
15
Reuters - Breaking World News
Reuters - Breaking World News
Reuters - Breaking World News
Trusted news & markets info
Free

Stay informed with global news and market updates through a sleek, personalized feed. Access a rich media library and receive customizable alerts. Support quality journalism with subscription options.

Personalized news feedBreaking markets updatesCustomizable push notifications
📡 News
(6.1K)
free with in-app purchases
16
Breaking News
Breaking News
Breaking News
As it Happens
Free

Access up-to-the-minute global news updates, sports, finance, and entertainment from trusted sources. Customize your feed and receive real-time push notifications. Enjoy hourly newscasts and podcasts for in-depth coverage.

Real-time global news updatesCustomizable news sourcesPush notifications for breaking stories
📡 News
(9.8K)
free with in-app purchases
17
Podbean Podcast App & Player
Podbean Podcast App & Player
Podbean Podcast App & Player
Your podcast app for iPhone
Free

Discover, download, and listen to millions of podcast episodes, audiobooks, and relaxation sounds. Enhance your listening with intelligent playback features, customizable playlists, and an integrated audio recorder for creating your own content. Stay updated with new episode notifications and automatic downloads.

Podcast discovery and recommendationsOffline playback via downloadCustomizable playlists
📡 News
(54K)
free with in-app purchases
18
The Economist: News & Analysis
The Economist: News & Analysis
The Economist: News & Analysis
Go beyond breaking news
Free

Access independent, fact-checked global news analysis and reporting. Understand complex world events through articles, podcasts, and videos. Offers premium content for deeper insights into politics, economics, science, and technology.

Fact-checked global reportingWeekly edition accessAward-winning podcasts
📡 News
(182K)
free with in-app purchases
19
Audacy: Radio & Sports Talk
Audacy: Radio & Sports Talk
Audacy: Radio & Sports Talk
Your Stations, News, Podcasts
Free

Access your favorite radio stations, live sports talk, news, and podcasts all in one free application. Enjoy on-demand content, exclusive extras, and save your preferred audio for later listening.

Live sports talk and play-by-playLocal and national news radioOn-demand music stations
🎵 Music
(92K)
free with in-app purchases
20
Talk Radio+
Talk Radio+
Talk Radio+
Streaming Talk & News Radio
Free

Stream a vast selection of internet talk radio stations covering news, sports, comedy, technology, and more. Enjoy background audio playback while you multitask. Discover diverse channels and popular personalities.

Extensive station selectionBackground audio playbackDiverse channel categories
📡 News
(2.3K)
ad-supported

FAQ about Audio News

What are the best audio news apps for iPhone?
Hourly News tops our audio news apps ranking as of June 2026, with a 4.5-star average from 484 App Store ratings, and it's priced at $0.99.
Yes — 18 of the top audio news apps we rank are free to download, including NPR: National & Local News and BBC: World News & Stories.
Hourly News has no ads and offers in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of June 2026.
We track 206+ audio news apps on the iOS App Store as of June 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.
Hourly News is an app that automatically plays the most recent news updates from a variety of sources as soon as you open it. It functions similarly to a podcast app, providing access to news feeds from major broadcasters and allowing you to add your own custom sources.
Key features include automatic playback of the latest news summaries upon opening, background audio playback, the ability to add custom podcast feeds, reordering and managing news sources, and iCloud syncing of settings and sources. It also allows you to skip podcasts you've already heard.

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