Head-to-head

FOX News vs USA TODAY

FOX News 4.4★ · Free + IAP 55

Winner USA TODAY

USA TODAY 4.5★ · Free + IAP 60

USA TODAY offers a slightly more reliable and less ad-intrusive experience, particularly for paid subscribers, despite its own set of technical and content issues, making it a marginally better choice than FOX News.

Full reviews: FOX News · USA TODAY

While both FOX News and USA TODAY apps struggle with excessive ads and technical glitches, USA TODAY has a slight edge due to fewer complaints about ad intrusiveness for paying users and a generally higher lifetime rating, though its free tier also suffers from ad overload and performance issues.

Head to head

Ads and User Experience edge: USA TODAY^R9^R15^R23^R25

FOX News FOX News users are overwhelmingly frustrated by the sheer volume and intrusive nature of ads, including full-page pop-ups, banner ads that trigger accidental clicks, and ads that redirect users out of the app ^R9^R15^R23^R25. Many feel the app has become an 'ad app' rather than a news app ^R15^R25.

USA TODAY USA TODAY users also complain about too many ads, even for those with an 'ad-free' subscription ^R64^R67. Some ads are described as looking like articles, which is misleading . Accidental ad clicks are also an issue .

Reliability and Performance tie^R1^R2^R6^R7

FOX News FOX News users report frequent technical issues, including the app not working, live TV not loading or authenticating subscriptions, freezing after articles, needing to re-sign in often, comments not loading, and the app heating up phones ^R1^R2^R6^R7.

USA TODAY USA TODAY users experience slow loading times, frequent crashing, videos not loading, the app not opening without multiple attempts, and overheating phones .

Content and Customization tie^R5^R14^R30^R31

FOX News FOX News users express dissatisfaction with the content, citing an increase in 'tabloid type articles,' celebrity news, and 'entertainment news' instead of 'real news' ^R5^R30^R34. There are requests for better content filtering and customization options ^R5^R34. Some users also report issues with the comments section, including it disappearing or not loading ^R14^R31.

USA TODAY USA TODAY users complain about too much sports content that cannot be filtered out ^R73^R81. Some find the new format less desirable than the old newspaper layout . There are also issues with crossword puzzles not working as expected for subscribers .

Subscription and Support edge: FOX News^R12^R25^R29^R64

FOX News FOX News users express a desire for a paid, ad-free version ^R12^R25. There are complaints about not being able to unsubscribe easily ^R29.

USA TODAY USA TODAY users with 'ad-free' subscriptions frequently report still seeing ads, and issues with the subscription not being recognized or needing to be restored ^R64^R67. The subscription process itself is described as a 'nightmare' with no response from support .

Pick FOX News if

you prioritize a specific news network's content and are willing to tolerate significant ad interruptions and technical issues, or if you primarily consume free content and are accustomed to ad-heavy experiences .

Pick USA TODAY if

you are looking for a broader range of national and international news, appreciate a more traditional news format (even with recent changes), and are willing to navigate some technical issues and ad complaints, especially if you are a paying subscriber hoping for a better experience .

Evidence note: Both apps have a significant number of negative reviews, particularly concerning ads and technical problems. FOX News reviews show a more pronounced and consistent frustration with ad intrusiveness and app stability. USA TODAY's issues are also notable, especially for paid subscribers still seeing ads, but the overall sentiment regarding ad intrusiveness seems slightly less severe than FOX News.

Frequently asked

Do the apps offer ad-free experiences?

FOX News users frequently express a desire for a paid, ad-free version, indicating the free version is heavily ad-supported ^R12^R25. USA TODAY offers an 'ad-free' subscription, but many users report still seeing ads, including pop-ups and shopping articles, even with an active subscription ^R64^R67.

Are there many technical issues with the apps?

Yes, both apps have numerous reported technical issues. FOX News users experience problems with live TV authentication, app freezing, frequent sign-out requests, comment section malfunctions, and the app heating up devices ^R1^R2^R6^R7. USA TODAY users report slow loading, frequent crashing, videos not playing, the app failing to open, and device overheating .

Can I customize the news feed in these apps?

FOX News users desire more control over content, specifically wishing to block categories like entertainment news and celebrity updates, indicating a lack of robust customization options ^R5^R34. USA TODAY users complain about an inability to filter out excessive sports content from their main feed ^R73^R81.

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.

[R9] FOX News 3/5 · US WAY too many ads: I am getting absolutely fed up with all of the ads that constantly pop up on Fox News. Not only that, but now they put an ad banner down at the bottom of the app so every time your thumb goes down there to scroll up to the next news article, it opens up another ad! So dang frustrating!!!!!
[R15] FOX News 1/5 · US Not a news app - it’s an ad app: If you don’t mind having ads take over the entire screen with each and every news story you click on you will be fine with this app… I am not fine with it
[R23] FOX News 1/5 · US Annoying adds: Love the app, not so much the full page adds that pop up right in the middle of reading something
[R25] FOX News 1/5 · US One giant distracting commercial after another: This program is now completely awful. Can’t get through one story without a pop-up pad. It’s no longer worth reviewing I’ll get my news somewhere else. It’s too bad. You can’t offer an ad free service. If it was reasonably priced that would be something I’d be interested in. But I’m done with this nonsense
[R1] FOX News 1/5 · US Not working: App does not work very upsetting, the wheel keeps spinning. This is on an Apple TV. I am unable to authenticate a cable subscription. Everything else works but live tv. This is the only app that has this problem.
[R2] FOX News 4/5 · US Site freeze after viewing article: Kind of annoying to have to re-open app after reading articles.
[R6] FOX News 3/5 · US Problems: Lately I have to keep signing in to comment or react to comments. Comments won’t load, the emoji reactions disappear, the blocking option is missing. WTHk
[R7] FOX News 1/5 · US Can't watch Fox on app: Keeps saying provider not authorized however, I can't find the "For You" on my iPhone app to complete the steps. Very confusing
[R5] FOX News 4/5 · US Better control: I can deal with the ads, they gotta make money. Nothing is free. However I really wish I could select categories. I would 100% block entertainment news. I could not care less about people I never heard of and their swimwear choices!
[R14] FOX News 4/5 · US ..dash: I love the app but wonder why I can no longer access the Comment area/section. I miss not being able to read others opinions and, occasionally, contributing on of my own.
[R30] FOX News 5/5 · US I want Fox News..real news: I don't get on Fox News to read about why porn is good to watch!! I want real news, like they use to have. I see why they have the sexual harassment issues they have!! I didn't realize that Fox News needs sex & porn articles to sell real news story's. It's a shame what has happened to Fox News In the last few years! Bring back real news!! Grow up Fox News your better th
[R31] FOX News 1/5 · US No more comment section??: Why is the comment section no longer appearing?
[R12] FOX News 3/5 · US Need paid version: Does anyone actually click into these obnoxious ads? Accidental clicks are all that’s happening. Do you as the developers think this is effective other than people tolerating it?
[R29] FOX News 2/5 · US You cannot Unsubscribe: Why don’t they make it easy to unsubscribe. This is BS
[R64] USA TODAY 1/5 · US STOP THE ADVERTISING! AD FREE Subscription SHOULD BE AD FREE!: This is at least the 6th time I've said this. I pay for AD FREE and USA TODAY inserts ads anyway, as well as countless SHOPPING articles throughout. What a rip off! USA TODAY always shows my Ad Free Subscription as Active. Then why all the ads?
[R67] USA TODAY 1/5 · US Not Much Better than the First Tru: Am trying again, June 2026, with USA Today but once again the thing is not so hot. I pay for the ad-free version and my account says that is in effect but I had four pop-up vid ads just trying to read the news just now. The August 2017 update is absolutely horrible. Am dumping USA app as my usual daily news source. Just horrible. Why do you always think it is
[R34] FOX News 5/5 · US Disappointing tabloid content: The app doesn’t enable adjusting my news feed to the type of news I prefer. For instance, I have no interest in celebrities nor swim suit updates but the typical feed contains numerous pieces on both. The app would be more useful if it allowed a way to customize my feed.
[R73] USA TODAY 1/5 · US Not a sports fan: I have no interest in sports and don’t like sifting through dozens of sports stories to find the few news articles lower down on the page. You have a section called sports. Use it!
[R81] USA TODAY 3/5 · US Sports Section Dissappointing: I miss being able to select the sports league I want to follow in the sports section on the main page. Now I have to click the left side arrow through multiple leagues and individual game score to try to get to the league I want which is completely inefficient and has me looking for a new site. Please redesign.

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