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Flipboard vs Google Optimize

Flipboard logo

Flipboard

News

Your personal magazine for news and stories

From
Free
Rated
-
Google Optimize logo

Google Optimize

Marketing

A/B testing for Google Analytics

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Flipboard no pricing information is published on the website; Google Optimize google Optimize and Optimize 360 were sunset and are no longer available as of September 30, 2023
  • They diverge on capability: Flipboard covers Magazine-style layout, Google Optimize covers A/B testing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Flipboard and Google Optimize actually diverge.

Attributes where Flipboard and Google Optimize differ
AttributeFlipboardGoogle Optimize
Pricing modelfreefreemium
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWeb
CategoryNewsMarketing
Founded20101998

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Flipboard

  • Magazine-style layout
  • Content curation
  • Topic discovery
  • Smart magazines
  • Social sharing
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Only in Google Optimize

  • A/B testing
  • Google Analytics integration
  • Visual editor
  • Real-time analytics
  • Google Analytics
  • Google Tag Manager
  • Google's security
  • Cloud deployment

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Flipboard

  • News consumptionnot Google Optimize
  • Content discoverynot Google Optimize
  • Magazine creationnot Google Optimize
  • Social readingnot Google Optimize

Google Optimize

  • A/B and multivariate testing of web pages tied to Google Analytics goalsnot Flipboard
  • Personalising page content for defined audience segmentsnot Flipboard
  • Redirect tests between alternative landing page URLsnot Flipboard

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Flipboard

  • No pricing information is published on the website

Google Optimize

  • Google Optimize and Optimize 360 were sunset and are no longer available as of September 30, 2023
  • Any experiments and personalizations still running on that date were ended by Google
  • Google directs former users to third-party A/B testing tools, naming AB Tasty, Optimizely and VWO, rather than a replacement Google product

Pricing, plan by plan

Flipboard

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited reading
    • Personalized feeds
    • Magazine creation

Google Optimize

Free
  • FreeFree
    • A/B testing
    • Google Analytics integration
    • Visual editor

Which should you pick?

Choose Flipboard if

  • You need magazine-style layout.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want content curation.

Choose Google Optimize if

  • You need a/b testing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want google analytics integration.

Questions people ask

Is Flipboard or Google Optimize better?
Neither clearly leads. Flipboard starts at Free and Google Optimize at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Flipboard or Google Optimize?
Flipboard starts at Free and Google Optimize at Free.
Does Flipboard or Google Optimize run on more platforms?
Flipboard runs on Web, Ios, Android. Google Optimize runs on Web.
Can I use Flipboard for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Flipboard best used for?
Flipboard is most often used for news consumption, content discovery, magazine creation, social reading. Of those, news consumption and content discovery are not what Google Optimize is typically brought in for.
What can Flipboard do that Google Optimize cannot?
Flipboard covers Magazine-style layout, Content curation, Topic discovery, Smart magazines. Google Optimize covers A/B testing, Google Analytics integration, Visual editor, Real-time analytics. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Flipboard: How much does Flipboard cost?

No pricing information is disclosed on Flipboard's website. The service provides options to sign up and log in, but the specific pricing model or whether the service is free or paid is not stated.

Source
Google Optimize: Is Google Optimize still available?

No. Google Optimize and Optimize 360 were discontinued as of September 30, 2023. Google recommends third-party A/B testing integrations such as AB Tasty, Optimizely, and VWO as replacements.

Source
Flipboard: Is Flipboard free or paid?

Flipboard's pricing model is not disclosed on their public website. Users can access the platform by signing up or logging in, but costs and features associated with different tiers are not published.

Source
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