The Guardian - Live World News icon
The Guardian App Review: Comprehensive News with Live Coverage

by Guardian News and Media Limited

The Guardian's iOS app delivers real-time global news with personalized feeds and live blogs. It serves readers seeking independent journalism across politics, business, and culture with minimal subscription barriers.

Detailed Review

The Guardian app provides iOS users with access to one of the world's most recognized independent news organizations, offering breaking news coverage, in-depth analysis, and multimedia content. The application positions itself as a digital-first news platform emphasizing real-time updates and editorial independence, distinguishing itself through ad-supported free access alongside optional subscription tiers. Core functionality centers around the 'My Guardian' personalized feed system, which allows users to curate content by topics, writers, and sections. The live blog feature provides minute-by-minute coverage of major events, while the integrated puzzle section offers crosswords and Sudoku. Push notifications deliver breaking news alerts configurable by topic and urgency, with offline reading capabilities for saved articles. The app maintains full access to The Guardian's investigative journalism, opinion pieces, and cultural coverage without strict paywalls. User experience reflects a clean, typography-focused interface optimized for reading longevity. The navigation employs a standard tabbed layout with sections for news, sport, culture, and user-curated content. Performance metrics show efficient loading times even for media-rich articles, though some users report occasional refresh delays during high-traffic news events. The design prioritizes readability with adjustable text sizes and dark mode support, though video content integration remains less prominent than text-based reporting. User feedback consistently highlights appreciation for editorial integrity, with reviewer thesummerone (March 28, 2025) noting 'accurate news reporting' as a key strength. Multiple reviews reference the app as a primary news source despite subscription cost concerns, as exemplified by CSD6000 (March 20, 2025) acknowledging the free version's value while expressing desire for premium access. Critical feedback primarily addresses occasional technical stability issues rather than content quality. The application's primary strength lies in its balance of comprehensive coverage with accessible pricing, though it faces limitations in multimedia presentation compared to video-focused news platforms. It serves users best as a daily driver for readers prioritizing depth over brevity, particularly those interested in international perspectives and investigative journalism. The puzzle integration and personalized features provide additional utility beyond core news consumption.

Key Features

  • Live blogs provide real-time minute-by-minute coverage of breaking news events with journalist commentary and updates
  • My Guardian customization enables following specific topics, writers, and sections for personalized content curation
  • Integrated puzzles include crosswords and Sudoku with daily updates for entertainment beyond news consumption
  • Push notification system delivers breaking news alerts configurable by topic, frequency, and urgency level
  • Offline reading capability allows saved articles to be accessed without internet connectivity for mobile usage
  • Ad-supported free tier provides full content access without mandatory subscription requirements

Why Users Love It

Editorial independence and depth
Flexible free/premium access model

Perfect for: Readers seeking independent international news with depth

Screenshots

The Guardian - Live World News screenshot 1The Guardian - Live World News screenshot 2The Guardian - Live World News screenshot 3The Guardian - Live World News screenshot 4The Guardian - Live World News screenshot 5The Guardian - Live World News screenshot 6

Ranking History

Track The Guardian - Live World News's performance in Magazines & Newspapers over the last 30 days

Top 5
Top 10
Top 15
Below 15

Current Rank

#32

10 from last week

Best Rank

#20

All-time high

Average Rank

#31

30-day average

User Reviews

CSD6000
Mar 21, 2025

I have the free version. I wish I could afford the monthly subscription. One day maybe. But please don’t stop the great news articles and podcasts!! Most trusted news source I have the free version. I wish I could afford the monthly subscription. One day maybe. But please don’t stop the great news articles and podcasts!!

ArpeggiFishes
Mar 25, 2025

It’s exhausting the follow the news these days and even more exhausting when you find out the people telling you the news are manipulating you in every direction. I first found The Guardian in print while on a visit in the UK, and the closest thing I could compare it to was the New York Times but so much better. 15 years later, looking back, I feel very certain saying that no other news organization would have informed me as well, and as broadly across the globe, as The Guardian. I donate when I can, wish I could give more, and hope folks who can do so, and help keep this diamond in the rough going for all of us. We’ll have a better future for it, I can confirm. Thanks for the consistent quality It’s exhausting the follow the news these days and even more exhausting when you find out the people telling you the news are manipulating you in every direction. I first found The Guardian in print while on a visit in the UK, and the closest thing I could compare it to was the New York Times but so much better. 15 years later, looking back, I feel very certain saying that no other news organization would have informed me as well, and as broadly across the globe, as The Guardian. I donate when I can, wish I could give more, and hope folks who can do so, and help keep this diamond in the rough going for all of us. We’ll have a better future for it, I can confirm.

thesummerone
Mar 28, 2025

I can depend on The Guardian for accurate news reporting. It is my favorite news source. Great News Source I can depend on The Guardian for accurate news reporting. It is my favorite news source.

philozopher
May 8, 2025

The Guardian is one of the few sources of news I read. I don't have time to read a lot, so when I get to read news I prefer it be from a reliable, reputable source. Well worth the time, and worth a subscription. If only I could get a part delivered in California. Update 2025-05-08: I love the new design and addition of puzzles! The play could be a little more smooth, but is good enough in current form. Sudoku! My subscription is worth every penny! Solid News Source, Great App The Guardian is one of the few sources of news I read. I don't have time to read a lot, so when I get to read news I prefer it be from a reliable, reputable source.Well worth the time, and worth a subscription. If only I could get a part delivered in California.Update 2025-05-08:I love the new design and addition of puzzles! The play could be a little more smooth, but is good enough in current form. Sudoku! My subscription is worth every penny!

Gracie MacGoo
Aug 12, 2025

Love the coverage of conflicts. And the reviews of films that are independent. Liz Love the coverage of conflicts. And the reviews of films that are independent.

App Details

Developer

Guardian News and Media Limited

Platform

ios

Rating

4.9

Last Updated

10/7/2025