Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

CNN vs CNBC

CNN 4.8★ · Free + IAP 60
Winner Tie
CNBC 4.7★ · Free to download 60

For general news, CNN offers broader coverage, but both apps struggle with technical issues and paywalls, making neither a clear winner for a seamless, free experience.

Full reviews: CNN · CNBC

Both CNN and CNBC apps provide timely news, but both are plagued by user complaints regarding frequent freezing, non-functional widgets, and aggressive paywalls. While CNN offers a wider range of general news, CNBC focuses on financial information.

Head to head

Features and Content tieR2R53R36R30
CNN CNN provides timely news coverage and keeps users informed about global events R2R53. However, many users are frustrated by the app's heavy reliance on video content over text articles R36 and the lack of live TV streaming for subscribers R30. Some also complain about irrelevant push notifications and the inability to access saved stories .
CNBC CNBC is valued for its financial news, stock market data, and investment information . Users appreciate features like Picture-in-Picture and the inclusion of UK market times . However, some users report missing key data like metals prices and 52-week highs/lows . There are also complaints about political bias in articles and commentary and outdated content in certain sections .
Ease of Use and Reliability tieR3R27R48R8
CNN Many CNN users report significant issues with the app freezing, jumping backward, or going to a black screen while reading articles R3R27R48. Widgets frequently stop working or display as blank boxes R8. Audio streaming can be interrupted by phone notifications . Users also face difficulties logging in, with some needing to verify their TV provider daily or being locked out of their accounts across devices .
CNBC CNBC users experience frequent issues with live streams not loading or freezing R66R73R76. Some articles and charts fail to load . The app has compatibility problems with certain devices like iPad Pro and CarPlay . Blind users report that the app is not accessible with voiceover . Login issues with TV providers are also common .
Price and Value tieR7R13R19R34
CNN CNN's app is criticized for its aggressive paywall, limiting free articles and requiring subscriptions to read most news R7R13R19R34. Paid subscribers are frustrated by the continued presence of ads R6 and the high annual fee, which reportedly increased to $69.99 R4. Many feel the paid experience does not justify the cost due to bugs and limited content R3R30.
CNBC CNBC offers a free download, but users complain about an overload of ads and the high price of subscriptions, with one user mentioning paying $150 and another $29.99 a month . Subscribers are disappointed that even with a paid plan, they still see many commercials R75 and that the subscription doesn't unlock all content, like the entertainment section .
Support edge: CNNR5R4R85R103
CNN One CNN user reported a quick and helpful response from AI system support to unlock their account R5. However, another user mentioned a problem persisting for two years despite updates R4.
CNBC CNBC users report lousy support R85 and difficulty finding customer support R103.
Pick CNN if

You prioritize general news coverage and don't mind navigating paywalls and potential app glitches R2R53.

Pick CNBC if

You are primarily interested in financial news, stock market data, and investment information, and are willing to tolerate technical issues and ads .

Evidence note: Both apps have a significant number of negative reviews, particularly concerning technical issues and paywalls, despite their high lifetime ratings. The free vs. paid asymmetry is present, with many free users of both apps complaining about content limits and ads.

Frequently asked

Do CNN and CNBC apps have free content?
Both CNN and CNBC apps offer some free content, but users frequently encounter paywalls that limit the number of articles they can read before requiring a subscription (R7, R13, R46, R49, for CNN; for CNBC).
Are there ads in the paid versions of CNN or CNBC apps?
Yes, CNN subscribers report still seeing ads even after purchasing a subscription R6. CNBC subscribers also complain about too many commercials despite paying for a subscription R75.
What are the common technical issues with the CNN app?
Common technical issues with the CNN app include freezing while reading articles, jumping backward, black screens R3R27R48, non-functional widgets R8, and login problems requiring daily TV provider verification or locking users out of accounts .
What are the common technical issues with the CNBC app?
Common technical issues with the CNBC app include live streams not loading or freezing frequently R66R73R76R82, articles and charts failing to load , and compatibility problems with devices like iPad Pro and CarPlay .

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R2] CNN 5/5 · US CNN: CNN provides timely news coverage and keeps me informed about important events happening around the world.
  2. [R53] CNN 5/5 · GB CNN news: Very informative
  3. [R36] CNN 3/5 · GB Do you think we've lost the ability to read?: There is nothing wrong with the content of the app, but I really dislike the way that you present it to us. So much content is delivered via video. Are you pandering to the lowest common denominator? Those who find reading too taxing? The news is serious business and deserves to be presented in a serious way. Give us content that we can read, not
  4. [R30] CNN 3/5 · US Not live streaming: I subscribed expecting to see the same coverage as network TV but this is just a bunch of recaps and headlines that I can watch on YouTube. What a waste of money!!
  5. [R3] CNN 3/5 · US Disappointed: Since purchasing a subscription, the app now freezes while reading articles requiring me to restart the app in order to read articles; jumps backward while scrolling through articles; and goes to a black screen partway through an article which sometimes can be cleared by going backwards, but not always, and then trying to scroll forward again. I expected to have at least as good of
  6. [R27] CNN 3/5 · US 1 Problem: When scrolling down to read an article in the app. The CNN app will suddenly freeze up and not allow you to read the remainder of the article or let you use the app. Please fix.
  7. [R48] CNN 3/5 · GB Keeps freezing!: My CNN on my phone has stopped scrolling. It’s never been smooth before but now once I open it up and try and scroll through the headlines it doesn’t move! Just stays frozen! Even if I’m able to open up a story, once I try and scroll up to keep reading it doesn’t move! Just stays there hanging! I thought this new update would solve the issue but it hasn’t! Still the same thing! Is
  8. [R8] CNN 5/5 · US Widget stopped working: I used the widget to check the breaking news and daily headlines and now I have to open the app. The widget is just a blank display now
  9. [R7] CNN 2/5 · US Deleting app: Every time I try to read an article newsworthy it says I reached my free limit. DELETED!!!
  10. [R13] CNN 1/5 · US Pay to read: I have to pay monthly to read news that I can get from other sites and apps for free? Easy pass and delete for me.
  11. [R19] CNN 1/5 · US Used to be free news reading: This app used to be free to read articles but I guess they don’t get enough ad revenue. I use to use it with Fox News to get balanced reporting, but now I’ll use Fox only (which I trust better anyway).
  12. [R34] CNN 1/5 · US Reading limit.. horrible: I think it’s horrible that CNN limits the amount of stories you can view. Capitalism at it’s worse. You have sponsors and now subscribers but you still have to limit how many stories we can view. Stupid
  13. [R5] CNN 5/5 · US Great response: I had given the 3 stars this morning when all of the sudden I was getting a message telling me to Subscribe when my subscription was good until next May. I could not get it to work on either iPad or iPhone. The AI system provided a way to email for help. They responded quickly and were able to unlock my account. Thank you for all your help.
  14. [R4] CNN 1/5 · US Pay for CNN is malfunctioning: I paid the annual fee of $29.99 but I keep getting kicked off the app. Please fix it! UPDATE: 2 years later, I continue to be kicked off the app. Fix it, please. Also, fee rose to $69.99 this year!
  15. [R85] CNBC 1/5 · US Not working!!! Lousy support!!!: Have had a problem every month around renew time. It won’t work for a week before and after!🙃
  16. [R103] CNBC 1/5 · US Video hangs frequently: Several times a minute the video will either hang and I have to restore the page or the sound turns off and I have to hit the speaker icon to turn it back on. That means I miss a lot of the information. This happens on the web app and on the iOS app. This morning I couldn’t get the Investing Club Morning Meeting to work at all. That’s usually where I get the most informat
  17. [R46] CNN 1/5 · US Greedy: You can only read 5 articles until you have to become a paid subscriber to keep reading
  18. [R49] CNN 1/5 · US Paywalls block reading articles: I don’t understand how a news source that is supposed to communicate important events is forcing you to pay for everything. This app is not worth the space on your phone if it sends breaking news updates and then blocks you from reading it.
  19. [R6] CNN 3/5 · US Paid subscription still has ads????: Thought I was subscribing to not have to deal with ads, the way subscribing at the most expensive level gets you with most other streaming services. What’s the benefit??
  20. [R75] CNBC 3/5 · US Good Investment Information: I enjoy listening to the information shared but i gave it a 3 because there are to many commercials for the high price subscription.
  21. [R66] CNBC 3/5 · US Live stream on iPad stopped working: I’m so frustrated I cannot stream cnbc on my iPad. I constantly remove and reinstall but doesn’t help. Worked fine before the split.
  22. [R73] CNBC 1/5 · US Videos Freeze: I don’t understand for the life of me how this is a five star rated app. This app is absolutely horrible and has gotten worse since Versant bought out the company. The videos freeze about 20% into it. The charts are incredibly amateur and lag the videos take so long to come out after they’ve been played. Do better this is garbage.
  23. [R76] CNBC 1/5 · US Livestream never loads: I hardly ever leave reviews and almost never leave negative reviews but this app has been so frustrating. I have to refresh it 30+ times to get the livestream to even load and sometimes it just never does and I can't watch that morning. Then sometimes I have to go through the same process after stops working after a commercial break. No one has time for that. I know it's sp
  24. [R82] CNBC 1/5 · US Content great app still stinks: The live stream feature is still not working. I’ve used this app for years. Everything was great but months ago, it will not let you connect through your cable provider. When you hit the button, the wheel just spins and spins for hours. I was hoping after this last update it would be fixed but to no avail.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store