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Best Urban News App

173+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

4.5 avg rating
20 free apps
Updated June 2026

Whether you're new to urban news app or looking for an upgrade, our curated collection of 173+ iOS apps has something for everyone. Each app is reviewed and rated by real users, helping you make an informed decision.

Compare top Urban News App (June 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1Hourly NewsHourly NewsFree was $0.994.4★ (510)NoYesAug 2026
2USA TODAY: US & Breaking NewsUSA TODAY: US & Breaking NewsFree4.5★ (242K)YesYesAug 2026
3Washington PostWashington PostFree4.7★ (634K)YesYesAug 2026
4Breaking News: Local & AlertsBreaking News: Local & AlertsFree4.5★ (7.4K)YesNoAug 2026
5Ground NewsGround NewsFree4.7★ (47K)NoYesAug 2026
6SmartNews: Breaking NewsSmartNews: Breaking NewsFree4.6★ (929K)YesYesAug 2026
7Apple NewsApple NewsFree4.6★ (1.6M)YesYesAug 2026
8Phonegram - Tech News & ToolsPhonegram - Tech News & ToolsFree4.6★ (6.1K)NoYesAug 2026

Top Picks for Urban News App

Hourly News#1

Hourly News by Urban Apps

A One-Tap Hourly News App
Editor's Choice
📡 News
4.4😊(510 ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
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
USA TODAY: US & Breaking News#2

USA TODAY: US & Breaking News by USA TODAY

Breaking News + eNewspaper
Strong Contender
📡 News
4.5😐(242K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
#24in News
USA TODAY: US & Breaking News screenshot 1
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USA TODAY: US & Breaking News screenshot 3
USA TODAY: US & Breaking News screenshot 4
USA TODAY: US & Breaking News screenshot 5
USA TODAY: US & Breaking News screenshot 6

Access breaking national and local news, personalized content, and award-winning journalism. Enjoy quick reads, captivating visuals, and interactive features. Stay informed with a curated feed and access a digital replica of the print edition.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Great app
  • 📰 Excellent news coverage
  • 🔍 Well-balanced reporting
  • 🌐 Useful for global readers

Room to Improve

  • 🔒 Subscription issues
  • 🔍 Perceived bias in reporting
  • 🔍 Too much focus on celebrity news
Washington Post#3

Washington Post by The Washington Post

National, World, Local News
Worth Considering
📡 News
4.7😊(634K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
#4in News
Washington Post screenshot 1
Washington Post screenshot 2
Washington Post screenshot 3
Washington Post screenshot 4
Washington Post screenshot 5
Washington Post screenshot 6

Access award-winning global reporting and expert coverage from journalists. Stay informed with a 24/7 news feed, curated recommendations, and multimedia content. Enjoy a limited number of free stories or opt for unlimited digital access.

What We Love

  • 🗞️ High-quality journalism
  • 🌍 Comprehensive global coverage
  • 🔍 Excellent investigative reporting
  • 🤝 Balanced and objective reporting

Room to Improve

  • 🔍 Biased or slanted reporting
  • 💰 Expensive subscription
  • 🔍 Lack of diverse political perspectives

More Urban News App apps to explore

4
Breaking News: Local & Alerts
Breaking News: Local & Alerts
Breaking News: Local & Alerts
Local & Breaking News Near You
Free

Stay informed with daily news alerts and relevant updates delivered directly to your phone. Access local, national, and international headlines, weather warnings, and more from hundreds of trusted sources. Enjoy a personalized news feed tailored to your interests.

Daily news alertsLocal and breaking newsInternational headlines
📡 News
(7.4K)
ad-supported
5
Ground News
Ground News
Ground News
See every side of every story
Free

This app aggregates news from thousands of sources, highlighting media bias, reliability, and ownership. It aims to help users escape echo chambers and understand different perspectives on any story.

News aggregation from 50K+ sourcesMedia bias and reliability analysisSource ownership transparency
📡 News
(47K)
freemium
6
SmartNews: Breaking News
SmartNews: Breaking News
SmartNews: Breaking News
Read in English or Spanish
Free

Access curated news from top publishers, tailored to your interests. Discover breaking stories, local updates, and in-depth coverage on politics, entertainment, sports, and health. Stay informed with quality journalism and personalized content.

Curated news feedLocal news updatesPolitics and election coverage
📡 News
(929K)
free with in-app purchases
7
Apple News
Apple News
Apple News
News + magazines, in one app
Free

Access top stories curated by editors, personalized news feeds, and in-depth sports coverage. Enjoy local news, daily podcasts, and exclusive recipes and puzzles with an optional subscription.

Curated and personalized news feedLocal news coverageIn-depth sports analysis and scores
📡 News
(1.6M)
free with in-app purchases
8
Phonegram - Tech News & Tools
Phonegram - Tech News & Tools
Phonegram - Tech News & Tools
Since 2007 • News & Podcast
Free

This app is your primary source for Arabic news and technology updates related to Apple. It offers a wide array of smart tools, including AI-powered features, video downloaders, and document scanning, alongside curated articles and a Hijri calendar.

Apple news and technology updatesSmart tools (WhatsApp click-to-chat, video downloader, AI tools)Document scanner to PDF
📡 News
(6.1K)
free with in-app purchases
9
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
10
Local News -Breaking & Latest
Local News -Breaking & Latest
Local News -Breaking & Latest
Breaking news, weather, alerts
Free

Stay informed with breaking news alerts, local headlines, and real-time weather. This app aggregates news from multiple sources, offering a personalized feed and features like audio playback for a convenient reading experience.

Breaking news alertsLocal headlinesPersonalized news feed
📡 News
(2.5K)
free with in-app purchases
11
The Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun
Maryland's top news source
Free

Access exclusive news, sports, business, and entertainment from Maryland's top news source. Stay informed with breaking alerts, save articles for later, and enjoy offline reading. Customize your news feed and share stories easily.

Exclusive premium storytellingBreaking news push notificationsExclusive videos and photo galleries
📡 News
(5.8K)
subscription
12
Urban News Network®
Urban News Network®
Urban News Network®
Urban News Network®
Free

Access news from nearly 2,000 diverse sources across the United States, including major groups, hyper-local outlets, and international news organizations. This platform aggregates digital-first and digital-only content, encompassing all types of news media creators.

Access to 2,000+ news sourcesDiverse media types representedHyper-local and international news
📡 News
(2)
free
13
FOX 8 News
FOX 8 News
FOX 8 News
by Local TV LLC
Free

Get the latest local news and weather updates delivered directly to your device. Stream live broadcasts, receive breaking news alerts, and access interactive weather radar. Stay informed about your community with real-time stories and detailed forecasts.

Local news storiesLive newscast streamingBreaking news alerts
📡 News
(3.5K)
ad-supported
14
FOX Carolina News
FOX Carolina News
FOX Carolina News
by Gray Television Group, Inc.
Free

Stay informed with the latest local news and real-time traffic updates that follow you wherever you go. Receive instant alerts for breaking news to ensure you're always in the know.

Latest local newsGeo-targeted traffic updatesBreaking news alerts
📡 News
(2.7K)
ad-supported
15
The Buffalo News App
The Buffalo News App
The Buffalo News App
Local News, Sports and Weather
Free

Access local news, sports, and weather from Western New York's largest newsroom. Features personalized news feeds, breaking alerts, exclusive content like photos and podcasts, and customizable text sizes. Offers unlimited digital access for subscribers.

Personalized local news topicsBreaking news alertsExclusive commentary and photography
📡 News
(750)
free with in-app purchases
16
RocaNews: Unbiased & fun news
RocaNews: Unbiased & fun news
RocaNews: Unbiased & fun news
World news, games, & history
Free

Get unbiased daily news, history, and engaging games designed to make staying informed enjoyable. This app delivers a curated set of important and interesting stories once a day, helping you learn and remember information through interactive quizzes and games.

Unbiased daily news and historyEngaging news quizzes and gamesOnce-daily curated story set
📡 News
(5.5K)
free with in-app purchases
17
The Daily Caller
The Daily Caller
The Daily Caller
by The Daily Caller
Free

Access national news, politics, and opinion content with a fresh perspective. This app offers a revamped interface, fewer ads, and smoother navigation for an improved reading experience on your mobile device.

Revamped user interfaceFewer adsSmoother page transitions
📡 News
(5.1K)
free with in-app purchases
18
Newsify: RSS Reader
Newsify: RSS Reader
Newsify: RSS Reader
News, Blog & Feed Reader
Free

Consolidate all your favorite websites, blogs, and RSS feeds into a single, visually appealing reader. Enjoy offline access, customizable layouts, and seamless sharing options. Upgrade for advanced features like AI summaries and ad-free reading.

All news, blogs, and RSS feeds in one appSync with Feedly, Newsify, or iCloudMultiple article list layouts
📡 News
(4.4K)
freemium
19
The News-Press
The News-Press
The News-Press
Breaking News + eNewspaper
Free

Access in-depth local journalism, breaking news, and engaging multimedia content. Enjoy a streamlined reading experience with customizable features and real-time notifications. Includes a digital replica of the print edition and access to other eNewspapers.

In-depth local journalismBreaking news alertsReal-time notifications
📡 News
(1.6K)
free with in-app purchases
20
Queen City News - Charlotte
Queen City News - Charlotte
Queen City News - Charlotte
Local news for The Carolinas
Free

Get the latest local news and breaking stories from The Carolinas, including weather, sports, and streaming video. Stay informed with 24/7 content delivered directly to your mobile device.

Top local storiesReal-time developing storiesBreaking news alerts
📡 News
(920)
ad-supported

FAQ about Urban News App

What is the best urban news app for iPhone?
Hourly News tops our urban news app ranking as of June 2026, with a 4.4-star average from 510 App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
Yes — 20 of the top urban news app we rank are free to download, including Hourly News and USA TODAY: US & Breaking News.
Hourly News has no ads and offers in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of June 2026.
We track 173+ urban news app 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.