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

7 News HD vs The Boston Globe

7 News HD 4.7★ · Free to download · ⚠ stale 65
Winner Tie
The Boston Globe 4.6★ · Free + IAP 60

For users prioritizing free access to local TV news and live streaming, 7 News HD is the better choice, while those seeking in-depth local journalism and a traditional newspaper experience should opt for The Boston Globe, despite its app's technical issues.

Full reviews: 7 News HD · The Boston Globe

7 News HD offers free local TV news, live streaming, and weather updates, but struggles with app stability and video playback. The Boston Globe provides comprehensive local journalism, but its paid subscription model comes with frequent login issues and a clunky user experience.

Head to head

Content & Coverage edge: The Boston GlobeR2R5R6R7
7 News HD 7 News HD is praised for its local news, weather, and sports coverage, with users appreciating its role as a primary source for New England news R2R5. However, some find the news to be outdated, repetitive, or overly focused on certain topics like COVID-19 or the Patriots R6R7. There are also complaints about political bias R51.
The Boston Globe The Boston Globe is highly regarded for its professional, accurate, and in-depth local and national journalism . Users appreciate its comprehensive coverage, especially for local news and sports . However, a significant number of users criticize its perceived liberal bias and lack of objectivity . Some also feel it lacks global news compared to other major papers .
Ease of Use & Features tieR3R4R7R10
7 News HD Users appreciate 7 News HD for its live news feature, especially those without cable R14R17. However, the app is criticized for a lack of a search option R3, videos that don't load or autoplay R4R10, volume issues R14, and notifications that are too frequent or irrelevant R7. Some users also report issues with articles not loading from notifications and the inability to scroll through stories .
The Boston Globe The Boston Globe app's functionality for reading news articles is generally considered good and intuitive R72. However, users frequently complain about persistent login issues, requiring them to sign in multiple times a day across different devices R63. The app also has issues with articles refreshing or exiting unexpectedly , and a poor search function R66R97. The games section is often reported as broken or unusable R72R82R105R118.
Reliability & Performance tieR1R4R16R18
7 News HD 7 News HD users report frequent issues with the app crashing , videos not loading or hanging R4R18R43, and notifications randomly stopping R16. Some updates have caused the app to stop working R1. There are also complaints about the app disconnecting during live streams .
The Boston Globe The Boston Globe app is frequently described as glitchy and buggy . Users experience issues with articles not loading correctly , the app not remembering login status R87R90, and poor compatibility with iPads R78R90. The app's performance is often compared unfavorably to other major news apps .
Price & Value edge: 7 News HDR17R28R34R51
7 News HD 7 News HD is free to download and use, which is a significant draw for users looking for local news without a subscription R17R28. However, some users complain about the increase in ads, including 15-second ads before stories R34 and extreme right-wing ads formatted like articles R51.
The Boston Globe The Boston Globe is a paid subscription service (Free + IAP), with users frequently encountering issues with subscription authentication and being prompted to log in despite being paid subscribers R63. Some users find the subscription too expensive, especially for retirees , and are frustrated by misleading $1 subscription offers that don't work . The inability to share articles with non-subscribers is also a point of contention .
Customer Support tieR85R95R96
7 News HD Reviews for 7 News HD do not mention direct interactions with customer support.
The Boston Globe The Boston Globe's customer service receives negative feedback, with users reporting rude and unhelpful agents who assume user error rather than acknowledging bugs R85R96. Issues with resetting passwords are also noted as a chore R95.
Pick 7 News HD if

you want free access to local TV news, live broadcasts, and weather updates, and are willing to tolerate occasional app glitches and video playback issues R17R28R14R4.

Pick The Boston Globe if

you prioritize in-depth, professional local and national journalism, appreciate a traditional newspaper's content, and are willing to pay for a subscription despite potential app login and technical frustrations .

Evidence note: The comparison on customer support is one-sided as 7 News HD reviews do not mention support interactions.

Frequently asked

Does 7 News HD offer live streaming?
Yes, 7 News HD offers a live news feature, which is particularly valued by users who do not have cable TV R14R17. However, some users report that the live stream frequently disconnects or doesn't work R31R43.
Can I read The Boston Globe articles on multiple devices?
While The Boston Globe app is available on multiple devices, many paid subscribers report persistent issues logging in and accessing articles across different platforms, often being prompted to re-authenticate even when already subscribed R63R78R87R90.
Do either of these apps have a search function?
7 News HD users report a lack of a search option within the app R3. The Boston Globe app does have a search function, but users find it to be poor and lacking prominence on the home screen R66R97.
Are there issues with video playback on 7 News HD?
Yes, many 7 News HD users experience problems with videos not loading, showing only a static view, or hanging frequently R4R10R18R43. There are also complaints about videos and ads autoplaying without user prompt .
Does The Boston Globe app offer games like crosswords?
Yes, The Boston Globe app includes games like crosswords, but many users report that this section of the app is wildly out of date, glitchy, or completely unusable after updates R72R82R105R118.

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] 7 News HD 5/5 · US The while cast: I love this news station. Their beautiful people that know how to smile, laugh and be serious at at the same time. Love you guys
  2. [R5] 7 News HD 4/5 · US Updates: I love the updates and the up to date news about the area
  3. [R6] 7 News HD 3/5 · US Tired of Covid numbers: I had to turn off alerts because I’m burned out after 2 years of Covid daily numbers! Enough I’d enough.
  4. [R7] 7 News HD 1/5 · US Annoying: I have had this app for years and years, but lately the notifications about the Patriots are becoming too much. I get it, they’re headed to the Super Bowl and it’s exciting, but I have this app for breaking news. Not to follow a sports team. Maybe the developers should consider adding preferences to the settings so we can decide what we want notifications for.
  5. [R3] 7 News HD 3/5 · US Just downloaded the App and…: So I just downloaded the App and, looking for a particular story I saw last night. Thought I’d be able to Search for it, only to find.,.NO Search option? I’m hoping I’m just having a senior moment and totally overlooked it: hence the 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ and not 4. Also noted the Most Recent review was Nov 2024? I love Channel 7 News and I’d love to be able to give the App a 5-⭐
  6. [R4] 7 News HD 1/5 · US Almost no videos load: Tried to watch the beach closing videos and only a static view is shown. No videos will load so unusable. I can't do alerts for a special upcoming program such as America 250, and if all I'll get is static view then you've got a useless app there. Deleted.
  7. [R10] 7 News HD 2/5 · US Not everything is a video!: Hey 7 developers…stop forcing videos down my throat. All I want to do is click on the stupid alert and read the stupid article. Stop bringing me to breaking videos that don’t play. Not everything is a breaking video.
  8. [R1] 7 News HD 1/5 · US Update: New update doesn’t work
  9. [R16] 7 News HD 1/5 · US Useless app: After awhile you’ll random stop receiving notifications
  10. [R18] 7 News HD 3/5 · US App stop working all the time: I only like the 7 news to watch the news. But recently aí gave up, either in my computer or my cellphone soon after the comercial, the news works for 3 seconds then stop, I tried so many times with Windows, IOS, Android. Isn’t an internet problem it’s the site problem, the app or the website is the same annoying problem. Would be great if this bugs gets fixed
  11. [R17] 7 News HD 5/5 · US Love 7News: I love the 7News app because my household has YouTube TV and they don’t have 7News on it so it’s the App or 7News at 10 on channel 56
  12. [R28] 7 News HD 1/5 · US Amazon fire TV: I love channel 7 Bostons news. I got rid of cable tv about two years ago. Now I just pay for internet and I use Amazon fire tv sticks. I love them and I love not paying a huge cable bill every month. The only problem is that the fire stick will not let me down load your free website! Maybe this is something you could look into with Amazon. I still watch your news but I have to watc
  13. [R34] 7 News HD 1/5 · US All Adds: Are used to use this app every day but now, every time I open the story, I have to watch 15 seconds of that before you even get to the news have deleted it since
  14. [R51] 7 News HD 1/5 · US Decent news, CONSTANT extreme right wing ads: The number of extreme right wing ads, formatted exactly like real articles, is disgusting. Had to delete
  15. [R85] The Boston Globe 1/5 · US Terrible app experience: I’m consistently unable to get into article articles and the customer service associated with this is awful. I’ve called and they were so rude and unwilling to refund the charges. I didn’t even know we’re being charged to me. Don’t download this app.
  16. [R95] The Boston Globe 4/5 · US Great Paper, ok Web Site: I read the Globe in paper and on my phone every day. My password was contaminated and it was a chore to reset it.
  17. [R96] The Boston Globe 3/5 · US Great content, poor app and support: I’ve found at least 2 bugs in the app, and I reported each one. When I report a bug, the customer service agent seems to assume it’s a user error rather than a bug. For one bug, she told to restart the app and/or restart my phone. If you’re giving me a work around, acknowledge thaf it’s a bug.
  18. [R14] 7 News HD 4/5 · US Volume issues: I use this app on my Roku primarily for the Live news feature because I don’t have cable. I appreciate it’s availability, however, the app has some serious volume issues. Sports segment is VERY loud but then you can barely hear the weather. I have my finger on the volume button because I’m constantly having to increase and decrease the volume depending on what segment is on.
  19. [R31] 7 News HD 1/5 · US Blocked: Why can’t I watch news live? Fox News I can. Cow 13 Tampa I can but not boston. Explain.
  20. [R43] 7 News HD 1/5 · US Live stream: NEVER WORKS,,
  21. [R63] The Boston Globe 3/5 · US Can only log on or see on phone not on PC: Even though I am a paid subscriber I cannot read articles on a PC as I get challenged to log in. However clicking the log in icon produces no response. This is a chronic problem that was temporarily resolved by Support I can access the paper on the phone however.
  22. [R78] The Boston Globe 3/5 · US Forced to use the paper instead of app: One of my two iPads apparently can’t access the app version of The Globe which I much prefer to the e-paper. When I try to open the app globe it asks me to subscribe even though I have a current subscription.
  23. [R87] The Boston Globe 3/5 · US Login Again and Again: While I enjoy the content, the app suffers from login issues that shouldn’t be taking place. I am constantly having to log back in even when I check the app routinely. It’s a little irritating, but the website has the same problem so at least it’s consistent.
  24. [R90] The Boston Globe 3/5 · US Doesn’t work well on iPad.: I have subscribed to the Globe online since it was first offered. On the iPad I am constantly frustrated by its constant “unlogging”, which requires me to sign in over and over. I cannot comment on stories at all because the app says that’s only available to subscribers. Works better on Android and fin on a PC. Lastly, proofread remarks carefully because you cannot edit
  25. [R66] The Boston Globe 3/5 · US Search function needs more prominence: I read the hard copy BG and only use the app to share articles with others. I want the search function obvious on the Home Screen. I’m tech literate so this is not a Luddite complaint.
  26. [R97] The Boston Globe 2/5 · US Weak Online Service, Y done this service have the worst “search” feature.: Giacomozzi
  27. [R72] The Boston Globe 3/5 · US Globe app review: The functionality of the news section of the app is pretty good and intuitive. If you are interested in playing the crossword or other typical newspaper games do not bother, that section of the app is wildly out of date and almost unusable.
  28. [R82] The Boston Globe 1/5 · US Games no longer work: The games no longer work after the latest update. I’ve given it months to see if they would resolve this and sadly they have not. Doing the crossword was my peace each evening. Very unfortunate.
  29. [R105] The Boston Globe 3/5 · US News great games bad: Love the journalism. Games are too glitchy to play. I’d love to delete my NYT games…
  30. [R118] The Boston Globe 1/5 · US Must we sign in 80 times a day?: I am a Sunday paper subscriber. Every time I want to view the news online I have to sign in-multiple time a day. Plus I get errors on puzzles and haven’t played one on app yet (at least a month). This is my worst app review

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