At the end of the day, who has the energy to scroll through the web to find trending news stories? I don’t, that’s for sure. Instead, I let news aggregator apps do the work for me.
We’ve compiled a list of the best news apps for Android, including free apps, apps that highlight political bias, and those that let you curate a tailored news feed.
best free news app for android: microsoft start
Originally released in 2012, Microsoft Start is one of the oldest and best news apps for Android out there. Microsoft Start is designed to avoid information overload by sorting news into categories. You can expect news from over 1,000 premium and reliable publishers as well as personalized news updates.
This app also has a few nifty features, like easily digestible information cards that tell you about your favorite topics, including finance, sports, traffic, and weather. Speaking of weather, Microsoft Start also has an interactive map that talks about air quality, severe weather, and a bunch of other helpful updates.
It’s important to mention that Microsoft Start uses AI, machine learning, and human moderation, so it’s not always going to be 100% accurate. But as far as I’m concerned, it’s a great news app.
Microsoft Start is perfect for people who want a comprehensive platform that combines news, weather, stocks, sports, and a bunch of other things. It’s also a contender for the best free news app for Android.
pros
- A holistic app that also includes weather and stocks.
- Create a customized news feed.
- It’s free to use!
cons
- Some reviewers say that Microsoft Start is buggy.
best news app for sports: ESPN
For many, ESPN is the go-to place for sports news, so why not download the app and have all the latest sports news in your pocket?
Live events, news articles, videos, interviews, expert analysis… the ESPN app has everything you need to keep up with your favorite team, publication, and sportsperson, making it one of the best news apps for Android. You can see all your favorite MLB, NHL, NFL, soccer, golf, and UFC fights here.
The ESPN app is free to download and use, but the premium features are exclusively for subscribers. Free content includes minute-by-minute score updates, the latest worldwide sports news, videos, and real-time notifications.
Subscribers get live sports games, original programs like UFC Destined and Dana White’s Contender Series, and much more. An ESPN Plus subscription costs $11 a month, so it’s up there with the price of other subscriptions like Netflix and Spotify.
And of course, if you subscribe to ESPN Plus you can enjoy all the content across platforms, so you can watch the latest NFL game on your TV, laptop, computer, iPad, and phone.
Unfortunately, ESPN is a bit cluttered. The mobile app can get a little overwhelming, so it’s up to you to decide whether you like the user interface.
pros
- All the latest sports news from a trusted source.
- Free to use, but the subscription gives you access to more content.
cons
- The user interface can feel cluttered.
- The subscription is pricey.
best news app for balanced news: allsides
AllSides has made a name for itself as “the only news app you’ll ever need”. As the name suggests, this app is dedicated to giving you an unbiased view of the latest news stories.
It compiles news from The New York Times, Fox News, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, and other reliable sources. All the sources are American, so if you’re looking for global news this might not be the app for you.
All sources also have a Media Bias Rating, and you can even read side-by-side coverage of the same news from sources that lean to the left and right side of the debate.
Overall, AllSides is a well-thought-out app, perfect for people who want to question the stories they read and develop their own opinions.
pros
- All the latest breaking news is at your fingertips.
- It’s free to download and use.
- The Media Bias Rating highlights stories that you need to take a more critical look at.
cons
- Unfortunately, AllSides comes with ads, but they aren’t clickbaity.
best news app for reading offline: smartnews
One of the absolute best news apps for Android is SmartNews. It’s not as sleek and sophisticated as the other news apps on our list, but it lets you read the latest news offline.
SmartNews features a wide range of news, without ever connecting to the internet. That includes the latest local, national, and global news. If you’re sick and tired of notifications, messages, and the allure of the internet ruining your reading experience, this is the app for you.
There are plenty of sections to browse through, including all the topics you’d expect from a news app. Lifestyle, entertainment, political news… it’s all here.
The Top page focuses exclusively on breaking news and top stories. The only downside is that there’s no search bar, so you’ll have to scroll until something catches your eye.
To sweeten the deal, SmartNews won’t cost you a dime! That’s right; it’s one of the very few but best free news apps for Android.
pros
- Local, national, and global news.
- You can read all the latest news offline.
cons
- Some of the news sources aren’t as reliable/high quality as the others.
- There’s no search bar, which can make finding news feel time-consuming.
- You might find the user interface a bit clunky.
best news app for community: reddit
When you think about the best news apps for Android, you might not think of Reddit. It’s a bit of a curve ball, but it does technically bring together news from all over the world.
Reddit is made up of subreddits, which are grassroots communities moderated by users just like you. Subreddits cover all sorts of topics. You can join general communities like r/politics or find a subreddit that focuses on a single aspect of the news, like r/PresidentialDebate.
In terms of customization, the sky is the limit. You can follow your favorite subreddits and curate a personalized Home Page that is entirely your creation. Reddit will even suggest new communities based on the subreddits that you already like.
On Reddit, the sense of community is unmatched. You can comment on the news as it happens and discuss the changes with your fellow Redditors.
pros
- Join communities, share your thoughts, and learn more about your interests.
- Personalize the Home Page.
- It’s completely free!
cons
- Active users might make your favorite subreddit seem biased.
- Subreddits are monitored by unpaid volunteers.
bookcase: a better way to read on android
So you’ve found the best free news apps for Androids, and you’ve spent hours scrolling through a personalized feed of breaking news stories. Before long, wrist strain will set in. Introducing Bookcase, the better way to read on iPhone.
Bookcase transforms any smartphone into an ergonomic e-reader by extending the area around the screen. The edges of the case provide grips on both sides of your phone so you can hold it more comfortably and enjoy a clear view of your screen while reading.
Bookcase connects to your phone via a MagSafe ring. We’ve included a MagSafe conversion kit with every order so all Androids can be compatible with Bookcase. (Bookcase also works with MagSafe phone cases!)
