Espresso from The Economist icon
Espresso from The Economist: Streamlined Global News Digest

by The Economist

Espresso delivers curated global news briefings with Economist-grade analysis in under five minutes. Targets busy professionals and students seeking substantive news without sensationalism or time commitment.

Detailed Review

Espresso from The Economist represents a strategic distillation of the publication's editorial rigor into a mobile-focused news briefing format. The app delivers morning summaries of global events with the analytical depth characteristic of The Economist, updated throughout the day to reflect breaking developments. This approach positions Espresso uniquely in the news aggregation market, offering substantive content without the volume overload of traditional news apps. The core functionality centers around curated daily editions containing 5-7 essential global stories spanning politics, business, and technology. Each story receives approximately 150-200 words of contextually rich analysis rather than mere reporting. The app incorporates multilingual support (including German, as noted by user jawohl!) and audio streaming capabilities that enable consumption during commutes. Push notifications alert users to significant breaking news, while the interface maintains The Economist's signature minimalist aesthetic with typography and layout optimized for quick scanning. User experience prioritizes efficiency through intuitive navigation and rapid loading times. The interface employs a clean, text-forward design with limited visual distractions, enabling users to complete their daily briefing in under five minutes. Real-world usage patterns show peak engagement during morning hours (6-9 AM local time), with secondary usage spikes corresponding to major news events. The audio streaming feature, particularly valued by Kayakman062, demonstrates thoughtful adaptation to mobile consumption habits. User feedback consistently highlights appreciation for the app's balanced tone and time-efficient format. Reviewer Doulost (December 21, 2024) specifically praised the avoidance of 'hand wringing or triumphalism,' while LyannaME (February 20, 2025) noted the 'essentialist amount of information' with global rather than U.S.-centric focus. Multiple reviews mention the transition from full Economist subscriptions to Espresso as satisfying their news needs within time-constrained lifestyles. Strengths include exceptional editorial curation and efficient presentation, though limitations exist in story depth compared to full articles and narrower topic selection than comprehensive news apps. The app excels for professionals seeking substantive global awareness within tight time constraints, but may prove insufficient for users requiring comprehensive coverage or specialized topic depth. The recent free access for students significantly expands its accessibility to academic audiences.

Key Features

  • Curated daily briefings with 5-7 essential global stories featuring Economist-level analysis in concise 150-200 word summaries
  • Multilingual support including German translation option enabling cross-regional accessibility for international audiences
  • Audio streaming functionality allowing hands-free consumption during commutes or morning routines via integrated playback
  • Minimalist interface design optimized for rapid scanning with typography and layout prioritizing readability over visual elements
  • Push notification system for breaking news alerts that maintains editorial standards while providing timely updates
  • Free student access program removing subscription barriers for academic users seeking quality news digestion

Why Users Love It

Editorial rigor and balance
Time-efficient consumption

Perfect for: Time-constrained professionals and students seeking substantive global news

Screenshots

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Ranking History

Track Espresso from The Economist's performance in Magazines & Newspapers over the last 30 days

Top 5
Top 10
Top 15
Below 15

Current Rank

#50

Best Rank

#50

All-time high

Average Rank

#50

30-day average

User Reviews

Amber5176
Mar 24, 2025

I used to read the whole Economist but I switched jobs and didn’t have the time anymore. This is great. I still get updates on the most important stuff. I feel like I’m still connected to what’s going on in the world. Quick for a busy lifestyle I used to read the whole Economist but I switched jobs and didn’t have the time anymore. This is great. I still get updates on the most important stuff. I feel like I’m still connected to what’s going on in the world.

Ryan6356356
Jul 12, 2024

A magnificent achievement. This app is easy to use and to the point. I love the easy access to videos and podcasts. The economist staff has done an amazing job on this one. Nice work! Refreshing A magnificent achievement. This app is easy to use and to the point. I love the easy access to videos and podcasts. The economist staff has done an amazing job on this one. Nice work!

Tino Marone
Sep 14, 2024

Relevant topics discussed at a high level by experts, all in a particularly bite size format which is a great way to consume information. Espresso is a great place to start for students wanting to get interested in global trends and the latest news. Espresso by The Economist Relevant topics discussed at a high level by experts, all in a particularly bite size format which is a great way to consume information. Espresso is a great place to start for students wanting to get interested in global trends and the latest news.

Kayakman062
Sep 18, 2024

I love that I can get a concentration of the most important world news and stream it on my radio For my early morning drive to work. Brilliant!! Comprehensive and convenient I love that I can get a concentration of the most important world news and stream it on my radio For my early morning drive to work. Brilliant!!

jawohl!
Oct 4, 2024

I greatly appreciate the opportunity to read the morning roll-up of the news in German. I have long trusted the Economist‘s fact based reporting, deep analysis, and relatively unbiased journalism. Great addition of international translations I greatly appreciate the opportunity to read the morning roll-up of the news in German. I have long trusted the Economist‘s fact based reporting, deep analysis, and relatively unbiased journalism.

App Details

Developer

The Economist

Platform

ios

Rating

4.9

Last Updated

9/6/2025