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Google News vs SmartNews

Google News logo

Google News

News

Comprehensive news coverage powered by Google

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SmartNews logo

SmartNews

News

Local news and breaking news from top sources

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Google News free model only with no paid alternatives; SmartNews no specific pricing published for SmartNews+ subscription
  • They diverge on capability: Google News covers AI-powered curation, SmartNews covers Machine learning curation.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Google News and SmartNews actually diverge.

Attributes where Google News and SmartNews differ
AttributeGoogle NewsSmartNews
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidIos, Android
Founded19982012

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
  • Topic following
  • Newsstand
  • Google account
  • Google Assistant
  • Chrome
  • Android

Only in SmartNews

  • Machine learning curation
  • Smart Mode
  • Breaking alerts
  • Offline reading
  • Social sharing
  • News publishers

Both cover

  • Local news
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

Google News

  • News consumptionnot SmartNews
  • Topic trackingnot SmartNews
  • Local news
  • Researchnot SmartNews

SmartNews

  • Daily newsnot Google News
  • Local news
  • Breaking newsnot Google News
  • Quick readingnot Google News

Both are used for local news, 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

SmartNews

  • No specific pricing published for SmartNews+ subscription
  • Requires visiting separate product page for pricing details
  • Subscription service model described but not detailed with costs

Pricing, plan by plan

Google News

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

SmartNews

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Trending news
    • Local news
    • Smart Mode reading

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 SmartNews if

  • You need machine learning curation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Ios, Android.
  • You also want smart mode.
SmartNews review

Questions people ask

Is Google News or SmartNews better?
Neither clearly leads. Google News starts at Free and SmartNews at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google News or SmartNews?
Google News starts at Free and SmartNews at Free.
Does Google News or SmartNews run on more platforms?
Google News runs on Web, Ios, Android. SmartNews runs on Ios, Android.
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 topic tracking are not what SmartNews is typically brought in for.
What can Google News do that SmartNews cannot?
Google News covers AI-powered curation, Full coverage, Topic following, Newsstand. SmartNews covers Machine learning curation, Smart Mode, Breaking alerts, Offline reading. Both handle Local news, 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
SmartNews: How much does SmartNews cost?

SmartNews does not publish specific subscription pricing on its main website. The vendor offers SmartNews+, described as a subscription service aggregating paid business news and coupons, but cost details must be found on the dedicated SmartNews+ product page.

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
SmartNews: Does SmartNews offer a free tier?

SmartNews provides free access to curated news content. For additional business news and coupons, the vendor offers SmartNews+ as a paid subscription service. Pricing and trial details for SmartNews+ are available on the dedicated subscription product page.

Source
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