Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience real numbers from our own analytics — open to see them
–Visitors
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · counted by iTechGuides's own first-party analytics, bots removed, every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · News and Magazine Apps

AP News vs SmartNews

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score AP News #6 in News and Magazine Apps 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit AP News
SmartNews #8 in News and Magazine Apps 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit SmartNews

AP News leads on 0 checks, SmartNews on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreAP News · 8.8/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresSmartNews · 2 of 3

AP News scores higher on our rubric for news and magazine apps: 8.8 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #8.

On content scope, AP News gives you Publisher where SmartNews offers Multi-source. On paid publication access, AP News gives you None where SmartNews offers Included.

AP News is the better fit for free, straightforward news and local AP coverage. SmartNews is the better fit for mobile readers who want free news and offline access.

  • AP News fits best

    Free, straightforward news and local AP coverage

  • SmartNews fits best

    Mobile readers who want free news and offline access

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature AP News 8.8/10 Visit ↗ SmartNews 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.6
Ranking #6 in News and Magazine Apps #8 in News and Magazine Apps
Best for Free, straightforward news and local AP coverage Mobile readers who want free news and offline access
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android iOS, Android
Support Email Docs, Email
Built for Solo, Small business Solo
Features AP News 1/3 · SmartNews 2/3
Offline reading Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Personalized feed ✓ ✓
RSS support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Content scope Publisher Multi-source
Platforms web, iOS, Android; iOS listing also includes iPad and Apple Watch iOS, Android
Paid publication access None Included
Our review
Pros
  • Free access on web, iOS, and Android
  • Personalized feeds, topic follows, and interest-based alerts
  • Local reporting from AP member news organizations
  • Combines news from multiple publishers with editorial curation
  • Personalizes feeds through topic and outlet following
  • Offers local updates, translation, and offline reading
Cons
  • Coverage is centered on AP and its member organizations
  • Offers fewer reading and discovery tools than some alternatives
  • Email is the listed support channel
  • Available on iOS and Android, not other platforms
  • Some articles open on the publisher’s website
  • Article bookmarking is available on iOS only
Our verdict

AP News brings The Associated Press’s reporting to readers who want a free way to follow breaking news, world headlines, and local coverage. Available on web, iOS, and Android, it supports topic and developing-story follows alongside a…

Read the review →

SmartNews brings stories from national and local publishers into a mobile news app for readers who want multiple sources in one place. Its editorial curation sits alongside breaking-news updates and feed customization through topic and…

Read the review →
  1. AP NewsNews and Magazine Apps 8.8Free plan
  2. SmartNewsNews and Magazine Apps 8.6Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • AP News — where it wins

    • Free access on web, iOS, and Android
    • Personalized feeds, topic follows, and interest-based alerts
    • Local reporting from AP member news organizations

    Where it doesn't

    • Coverage is centered on AP and its member organizations
    • Offers fewer reading and discovery tools than some alternatives
    • Email is the listed support channel

  • SmartNews — where it wins

    • Combines news from multiple publishers with editorial curation
    • Personalizes feeds through topic and outlet following
    • Offers local updates, translation, and offline reading

    Where it doesn't

    • Available on iOS and Android, not other platforms
    • Some articles open on the publisher’s website
    • Article bookmarking is available on iOS only

More comparisons

All news and magazine apps comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update