Home The Guardian Launches Its New Subscription-Based iPhone App

The Guardian Launches Its New Subscription-Based iPhone App

The British newspaper The Guardian launches a new iPhone app today, which the paper touts as delivering more frequent updates and broader content. But the rationale behind the new app isn’t simply to provide a better user experience, but to initiate the new subscription model that this digital version of the app will provide.

The Guardian already has an iPhone app, one that will be supplanted by today’s release. Since it launched in December 2009, it’s been downloaded over 200,000 times, and paper says it has a “significantly high” user retention rate, with 75% of those who’ve downloaded it continuing to use it on a monthly basis. 25% use it every single day.

Rather than charging a one-time fee to download the app – as with the old version – the new one is free but introduces an ongoing subscription: £2.99 for 6 months and £3.99 for 12 months. For U.S. customers – only about 8% of the app’s readership, according to The Guardian – the app will be ad-supported.

The existing app will continue to be available, but only for the next six months when it will be shuttered.

With the introduction of a subscription fee, The Guardian’s iPhone app joins the newspapers that are trying to find new ways to monetize their content for online readers. According to paidContent, The Guardian has “devalued itself on mobile to between four and 12 percent of its equivalent print subscription price.” Whether or not that makes it seem like a good deal for newspaper readers, however, remains to be seen.

About ReadWrite’s Editorial Process

The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the tech industry for major developments, new product launches, AI breakthroughs, video game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to staff writers or freelance contributors with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.

Get the biggest tech headlines of the day delivered to your inbox

    By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime.

    Tech News

    Explore the latest in tech with our Tech News. We cut through the noise for concise, relevant updates, keeping you informed about the rapidly evolving tech landscape with curated content that separates signal from noise.

    In-Depth Tech Stories

    Explore tech impact in In-Depth Stories. Narrative data journalism offers comprehensive analyses, revealing stories behind data. Understand industry trends for a deeper perspective on tech's intricate relationships with society.

    Expert Reviews

    Empower decisions with Expert Reviews, merging industry expertise and insightful analysis. Delve into tech intricacies, get the best deals, and stay ahead with our trustworthy guide to navigating the ever-changing tech market.