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The Economist App: Comprehensive Global News Platform Review

by The Economist

4.9
IOSNews
The Economist's iOS app delivers premium global news coverage through articles, podcasts, and videos. Designed for professionals seeking balanced international reporting with audio functionality for on-the-go consumption.

Detailed Review

The Economist's iOS application serves as a digital gateway to the publication's renowned international reporting, offering subscribers access to its complete content library through a mobile-optimized interface. The app positions itself in the premium news segment, distinguishing itself through global perspective and analytical depth rather than breaking news coverage. Core functionality includes full article access with text-to-speech audio versions for all content, daily edition downloads for offline reading, curated podcast collections, and short-form video explainers. The platform maintains The Economist's distinctive editorial style while incorporating modern digital features like personalized reading lists and notification controls for specific topics or regions. Subscription management occurs seamlessly within the app, though full access requires paid membership beyond the limited free articles. The interface employs The Economist's signature red and white branding with clean typography optimized for extended reading sessions. Navigation follows conventional news app patterns with sections for latest editions, saved articles, and audio content. Real-world usage patterns show high engagement during commute times, particularly with audio features, and extended reading sessions during weekends or evening hours according to user behavior studies. User feedback consistently highlights appreciation for balanced reporting and audio functionality. Reviewer celesteus (July 22, 2025) noted the app's political neutrality as a distinguishing factor, while erichenry14 (July 22, 2025) praised the publication's willingness to critique all political parties equally. Multiple reviewers including Athena14 (July 22, 2025) specifically mentioned daily usage patterns for economic and business updates. The app's primary strength lies in its comprehensive content delivery across multiple formats, though the subscription requirement presents a barrier for casual users. The interface, while functional, lacks some customization options available in competing news applications. Ideal for professionals requiring deep international context rather than real-time news alerts, particularly those who value audio consumption during transit or multitasking scenarios.

Key Features

  • Audio article narration provides text-to-speech functionality for all content, enabling consumption during commutes or multitasking scenarios
  • Global correspondent network delivers reporting from 200+ locations worldwide, ensuring comprehensive international coverage
  • Offline reading capability allows entire editions to be downloaded for access without internet connectivity
  • Cross-platform synchronization maintains reading progress and saved articles across iOS devices and web platforms
  • Curated podcast collection aggregates The Economist's audio content with automatic episode downloads
  • Personalized notifications enable alerts for specific topics, regions, or columnist updates

Why Users Love It

Comprehensive global coverage
Multi-format content delivery

Perfect for: Professionals seeking analytical international news coverage

Screenshots

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Ranking History

Track The Economist - News, Podcasts's performance in News over the last 30 days

Top 5
Top 10
Top 15
Below 15

Current Rank

#13

+23 from last week

Best Rank

#13

All-time high

Average Rank

#29

30-day average

User Reviews

rockinhill
Jul 22, 2025

The US has biased left and right news outlets so finding accurate balanced reporting is difficult. The economist with its world perspective, not aligned with a country’s political parties, is refreshing. For us Rotarians who seek truth and fairness the Economist is an ideal news source. Ballanced Reporting The US has biased left and right news outlets so finding accurate balanced reporting is difficult. The economist with its world perspective, not aligned with a country’s political parties, is refreshing. For us Rotarians who seek truth and fairness the Economist is an ideal news source.

StephVanD
Jul 22, 2025

Intelligently written pieces that have an opinion but not a political bent. The app itself got a lot better this year and can now hold your place in an article if you shift apps. Interesting, diverse coverage that goes just deep enough to be thoughtful but isn’t a slog to read Great news source Intelligently written pieces that have an opinion but not a political bent. The app itself got a lot better this year and can now hold your place in an article if you shift apps. Interesting, diverse coverage that goes just deep enough to be thoughtful but isn’t a slog to read

John, Florida
Jul 22, 2025

The Economist offer a global perspective on finance and economics which is much broader than the typical US or European centric stories. A global perspective The Economist offer a global perspective on finance and economics which is much broader than the typical US or European centric stories.

Jazzbird1920
Aug 2, 2025

I read it daily along with the NY Times, Washington Post, and Kansas City Star. One of my favorite newspapers I read it daily along with the NY Times, Washington Post, and Kansas City Star.

erichenry14
Jul 22, 2025

The Economist’s coverage of the world, breadth of issues it addresses, depth of analysis, willingness to both support and critique any politician or party, and even it’s willingness to admit when they are wrong makes it my go to for articles and podcasts. My go to The Economist’s coverage of the world, breadth of issues it addresses, depth of analysis, willingness to both support and critique any politician or party, and even it’s willingness to admit when they are wrong makes it my go to for articles and podcasts.

App Details

Developer

The Economist

Platform

ios

Rating

4.9

Last Updated

10/6/2025