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Google News vs Microsoft Start

Google News logo

Google News

News

Comprehensive news coverage powered by Google

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Microsoft Start logo

Microsoft Start

News

Your personalized news feed powered by Microsoft

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Google News free model only with no paid alternatives; Microsoft Start no pricing information available
  • They diverge on capability: Google News covers AI-powered curation, Microsoft Start covers Personalized news.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Google News and Microsoft Start actually diverge.

Attributes where Google News and Microsoft Start differ
AttributeGoogle NewsMicrosoft Start
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWeb, Ios, Android, Windows
Founded19981975

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

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 Google News

  • AI-powered curation
  • Full coverage
  • Local news
  • Newsstand
  • Google account
  • Google Assistant
  • Chrome
  • Android

Only in Microsoft Start

  • Personalized news
  • Weather updates
  • Sports scores
  • Finance news
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Windows 11
  • Microsoft Account
  • Outlook

Both cover

  • Topic following
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

Google News

  • News consumptionnot Microsoft Start
  • Topic tracking
  • Local newsnot Microsoft Start
  • Researchnot Microsoft Start

Microsoft Start

  • Daily newsnot Google News
  • Topic tracking
  • Weather updatesnot Google News
  • Quick informationnot Google News

Both are used for topic tracking, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

Where each one falls short

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

Google News

  • Free model only with no paid alternatives
  • Revenue generated through advertising rather than subscriptions

Microsoft Start

  • No pricing information available
  • Service appears to be consumer-facing rather than commercial product
  • No pricing model published

Pricing, plan by plan

Google News

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Personalized news feed
    • Full coverage feature
    • Local news

Microsoft Start

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Personalized news feed
    • Topic following
    • Cross-device sync

Which should you pick?

Choose Google News if

  • You need ai-powered curation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want full coverage.
Google News review

Choose Microsoft Start if

  • You need personalized news.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Windows.
  • You also want weather updates.
Microsoft Start review

Questions people ask

Is Google News or Microsoft Start better?
Neither clearly leads. Google News starts at Free and Microsoft Start at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google News or Microsoft Start?
Google News starts at Free and Microsoft Start at Free.
Does Google News or Microsoft Start run on more platforms?
Google News runs on Web, Ios, Android. Microsoft Start runs on Web, Ios, Android, Windows.
Can I use Google News for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Google News best used for?
Google News is most often used for news consumption, topic tracking, local news, research. Of those, news consumption and local news are not what Microsoft Start is typically brought in for.
What can Google News do that Microsoft Start cannot?
Google News covers AI-powered curation, Full coverage, Local news, Newsstand. Microsoft Start covers Personalized news, Weather updates, Sports scores, Finance news. Both handle Topic following, Web support, Ios support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Google News: Is Google News free?

Yes, Google News is a free news aggregation service available to all users. No subscription or payment is required to access personalized news feeds and search functionality.

Source
Microsoft Start: How much does Microsoft Start (MSN) cost?

Microsoft Start (formerly MSN.com) is a free service with no subscription required. The platform provides news, weather, and personalized content at no cost to users.

Source
Google News: How does Google News make money if it's free?

Google News generates revenue through advertising displayed within the news aggregation service rather than charging users for access.

Source
Microsoft Start: Does Microsoft Start offer any paid services or premium features?

Microsoft Start does not publish any paid tiers or premium features. The service is entirely free to access and use without any payment or subscription.

Source
Microsoft Start: Are there ads on Microsoft Start?

Microsoft Start provides personalized news and content free of charge. Any advertising present on the service helps support the free platform offering.

Source
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