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Best Chicago News Apps

174+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

4.5 avg rating
20 free apps
Updated July 2026

Every iPhone needs a few good chicago news apps. We benchmark 174+ of them on App Store rating, freshness, and pricing, then surface the standouts so you don't have to scroll the App Store yourself.

Compare top Chicago News Apps (July 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1ABC7 Chicago News & WeatherABC7 Chicago News & WeatherFree4.7★ (29K)YesNoAug 2026
2WGN News - ChicagoWGN News - ChicagoFree4.6★ (3.2K)YesNoAug 2026
3Chicago TribuneChicago TribuneFree4.4★ (18K)YesYesAug 2026
4FOX LOCAL: Live News & WeatherFOX LOCAL: Live News & WeatherFree4.7★ (17K)YesNoAug 2026
5NBC 5 Chicago: News & WeatherNBC 5 Chicago: News & WeatherFree4.5★ (2K)YesNoJul 2026
6Chicago Sun-TimesChicago Sun-TimesFree4.0★ (76)NoNoJul 2026
7CBS News: Live Breaking NewsCBS News: Live Breaking NewsFree3.7★ (20K)YesNoAug 2026
8Citizen: Safety & Live VideoCitizen: Safety & Live VideoFree4.7★ (511K)NoYesAug 2026

Top Picks for Chicago News

ABC7 Chicago News & Weather#1

ABC7 Chicago News & Weather by Disney

Breaking updates, local video
Editor's Choice
📡 News
4.7😐(29K ratings)
FreeAds
ABC7 Chicago News & Weather screenshot 1
ABC7 Chicago News & Weather screenshot 2
ABC7 Chicago News & Weather screenshot 3
ABC7 Chicago News & Weather screenshot 4
ABC7 Chicago News & Weather screenshot 5
ABC7 Chicago News & Weather screenshot 6

Access breaking news alerts and watch live local broadcasts. Stay informed with local and national news updates, detailed weather forecasts, and customizable news feeds. Enjoy live video streams and picture-in-picture viewing for a comprehensive news experience.

What We Love

  • 👍 Informative news content
  • 🚀 Easy to navigate app
  • 💡 Helpful weather and traffic updates
  • 🔍 Comprehensive local news coverage

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Frequent app crashes
  • 🔇 Automatic video playback with no volume control
  • 💤 Outdated or missing news stories
WGN News - Chicago#2

WGN News - Chicago by Tribune Broadcasting Company

Strong Contender
📡 News
4.6😞(3.2K ratings)
FreeAds
WGN News - Chicago screenshot 1
WGN News - Chicago screenshot 2

Stay informed with local news and breaking updates from Chicago. Access top stories, watch live newscasts, and get detailed weather forecasts. Receive real-time notifications for important events in your community.

What We Love

  • 👍 Entertaining and informative news team
  • 🚀 Convenient live streaming
  • 💡 Useful weather and breaking news alerts

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and freezing issues
  • 🔍 Difficulty navigating and finding content
  • 📺 Live stream playback problems
Chicago Tribune#3

Chicago Tribune by Tribune Publishing Company, LLC

Your source for Chicago news
Worth Considering
📡 News
4.4😞(18K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
#57in News
Chicago Tribune screenshot 1
Chicago Tribune screenshot 2
Chicago Tribune screenshot 3
Chicago Tribune screenshot 4
Chicago Tribune screenshot 5

Access essential Chicago news, sports, business, and entertainment coverage. Customize your feed, receive breaking news alerts, and enjoy exclusive content like videos and photo galleries. Save articles for later and read offline.

What We Love

  • 🗞️ Small town reporting for a big town
  • 📰 Easy read for subscribers
  • 🚀 Generally good news reporting

Room to Improve

  • 🔍 Needs better search and navigation
  • 🌙 Lack of dark mode
  • 🔌 Frequent login issues

More Chicago News apps to explore

4
FOX LOCAL: Live News & Weather
FOX LOCAL: Live News & Weather
FOX LOCAL: Live News & Weather
Local News and Weather Alerts
Free

Access live local news, breaking alerts, and weather updates from your city's FOX station. Stream 24/7 news coverage, traffic, politics, sports, and more, all tailored to your community. Stay informed about local events and weather anytime, anywhere.

Live local news streamingBreaking news alertsReal-time weather forecasts
📡 News
(17K)
free with in-app purchases
5
NBC 5 Chicago: News & Weather
NBC 5 Chicago: News & Weather
NBC 5 Chicago: News & Weather
Local Alerts, Radar & Live TV
Free

Stay informed with local news and weather updates for Chicago and Illinois. Get breaking news alerts, detailed forecasts, live radar, and 24/7 streaming news coverage. Customize alerts and access a variety of local content.

Breaking news alertsCustomizable weather home screenLive Doppler 5 weather radar
📡 News
(2K)
free with in-app purchases
6
Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times
by Sun-Times Media
Free

Access breaking news, in-depth investigations, and local sports coverage from Chicago. Stay updated on city politics, entertainment, and opinion pieces. Subscribers can also access the digital edition of the print newspaper.

Breaking news alertsIn-depth investigationsLocal sports coverage
📡 News
(76)
freemium
7
CBS News: Live Breaking News
CBS News: Live Breaking News
CBS News: Live Breaking News
Top stories and local news
Free

Stay informed with breaking U.S. and world news, plus local news, weather, and sports from numerous cities. Access live streaming news channels, full episodes of popular shows, and personalized alerts for stories that matter to you.

Local news coverageLive streaming newsFull episodes and clips
📡 News
(20K)
free with in-app purchases
8
Citizen: Safety & Live Video
Citizen: Safety & Live Video
Citizen: Safety & Live Video
Crime Map & Breaking News
Free

Receive real-time safety alerts for crimes, natural disasters, and emergencies in your area. Watch live incident videos and access crime trend data to stay informed and protected. An optional premium subscription offers enhanced features like scanner audio and detailed archives.

Real-time safety alertsLive incident video streamingRegistered offender map
📡 News
(511K)
freemium
9
WBEZ
WBEZ
WBEZ
Chicago's NPR News Station
Free

Listen to Chicago's NPR news station live or on-demand. Access local and national news, podcasts, and investigative journalism from WBEZ and its partners. Catch up on missed shows with rewind functionality.

Live radio streamingOn-demand audio featuresPodcast library
📡 News
(623)
ad-supported
10
Block Club Chicago NFP
Block Club Chicago NFP
Block Club Chicago NFP
Chicago neighborhood reporting
Free

This nonprofit news app provides essential, nonpartisan coverage of Chicago's neighborhoods. It delivers top stories in a digestible daily format, perfect for staying informed on community news without information overload.

Neighborhood news coverageDigest format for mobileDaily top stories
📡 News
(6)
ad-supported
11
Chicago Articles & Info App
Chicago Articles & Info App
Chicago Articles & Info App
chicago breaking information
Free
📡 News
(0)
12
NBC News: Breaking & US News
NBC News: Breaking & US News
NBC News: Breaking & US News
Breaking News, Live News Video
Free

Get breaking news alerts, live video streams, and in-depth reporting on U.S. and world events. Follow political news, election results, and access exclusive content with an optional subscription.

Breaking news alertsLive news video streamingIn-depth reporting
📡 News
(151K)
free with in-app purchases
13
MS NOW: Watch Live News
MS NOW: Watch Live News
MS NOW: Watch Live News
Breaking News, Live, Politics
Free

Stay informed with breaking news, in-depth analysis, and live broadcasts. Access award-winning journalists and trusted experts for insights on politics, current events, and trending topics. Watch shows on demand or listen to live audio 24/7.

Watch live news broadcastsStream shows on demandListen to live audio 24/7
📡 News
(23K)
free with in-app purchases
14
Shaw Local News
Shaw Local News
Shaw Local News
No. 1 In Northern Illinois
Free

Access the latest local and regional news for Northern Illinois. Customize your feed to see only the information you care about, and receive alerts for breaking news. Enjoy exclusive coverage of the Chicago Bears and high school football.

Local and regional news updatesCustomizable news feedNews alerts for breaking events
📡 News
(302)
ad-supported
15
Crain's Chicago Business
Crain's Chicago Business
Crain's Chicago Business
Crain's Chicago Business
Free

Stay informed about Chicago's business and power landscape with breaking news and in-depth analysis. Receive notifications for critical updates and access the latest digital issue directly within the application.

Breaking business newsIn-depth analysisPower coverage
📡 News
(1.4K)
subscription
16
Fox Illinois
Fox Illinois
Fox Illinois
by Standard Media Group LLC
Free

Stay informed with a personalized local news feed, real-time weather, and traffic updates. Receive instant alerts for breaking news and school closings.

Live news streamCurrent weather and trafficPersonalized news feed
📡 News
(1)
ad-supported
17
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
(739K)
freemium
18
ESPN Chicago
ESPN Chicago
ESPN Chicago
by GOOD KARMA BROADCASTING LLC
Free

Stay connected with Chicago's vibrant sports scene. Engage in discussions and debates about local teams with popular hosts. Experience the pulse of one of the nation's most talked-about sports cities.

Live sports talk radioInteractive host discussionsDebate latest team news
⚽ Sports
(3.4K)
ad-supported
19
WGN Radio - Chicago's Very Own
WGN Radio - Chicago's Very Own
WGN Radio - Chicago's Very Own
by Continental Broadcasting Company
Free

Listen to live and local radio from Chicago, offering comprehensive coverage of news, talk, sports, traffic, weather, business, and entertainment. Access podcasts and stay informed with Chicagoland's dedicated source for over 95 years.

Live radio streamingChicagoland newsTalk radio
📡 News
(109)
free
20
Sports Mockery
Sports Mockery
Sports Mockery
Chicago Sports News and Rumors
Free

Stay updated with breaking sports news and rumors specifically for Chicago teams. This app aggregates unique sports content from across the web, ensuring you're the first to know about trades and important updates.

Breaking sports newsChicago sports focusRumors and trades
⚽ Sports
(1.8K)
free

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FAQ about Chicago News

What are the best chicago news apps for iPhone?
ABC7 Chicago News & Weather tops our chicago news apps ranking as of July 2026, with a 4.7-star average from 29K App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
Yes — 20 of the top chicago news apps we rank are free to download, including ABC7 Chicago News & Weather and WGN News - Chicago.
ABC7 Chicago News & Weather shows ads and has no in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of July 2026.
We track 174+ chicago news apps on the iOS App Store as of July 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.
This app provides breaking news alerts, live local video streams of Eyewitness News, and detailed weather forecasts from AccuWeather. It allows users to stay updated on local and national news, browse by topic, and receive customized alerts.
Key features include watching Eyewitness News live on a 24/7 stream, accessing news videos, using a picture-in-picture mode for multitasking, searching for news stories, browsing by topic, getting hourly and 7-day weather forecasts, and receiving real-time weather and traffic alerts.

Related searches

nbc 5 chicago: news & weatherabc7 chicago news & weather