Flipboard vs NewsBreak:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, NewsBreak had more branded searches than Flipboard among news apps worldwide. NewsBreak had about 301,000 branded searches, while Flipboard had 1,300. NewsBreak made up 3.2% of all news app searches we track, and Flipboard accounted for 0.01%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about news apps, NewsBreak appeared in two of the five answers and Flipboard in one. NewsBreak was mentioned before Flipboard in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
NewsBreak, about 232 searches for every 1 for Flipboard
Who does AI mention more?
NewsBreak, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, Flipboard in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
NewsBreak, named ahead of Flipboard in 2 of 2 answers
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Top news apps in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, NewsBreak was mentioned in two out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in both Google AI Overviews. Flipboard was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. NewsBreak was listed before Flipboard in every answer that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Google News1st
AP News2nd
Ground News3rd
Apple News4th
NewsBreak5th
Flipboard6th
Feedly7th
SmartNews–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Google News5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
AP News5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Ground News5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Apple News4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
NewsBreak2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Feedly1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Flipboard1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
SmartNews0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about news apps
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which news app should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best news apps?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best news app for daily headlines?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“news apps”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“breaking news app”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.
Share of searches by month for NewsBreak, Flipboard. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Google News | AP News | NewsBreak | Apple News | Ground News | SmartNews | Feedly | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 80.6% | 10.8% | 3.2% | 1.8% | 3.2% | 0.36% | 0.01% | <0.01% |
| Nov 2025 | 81.3% | 10.9% | 3.3% | 1.5% | 2.7% | 0.36% | <0.01% | <0.01% |
| Dec 2025 | 83.6% | 9.1% | 3.4% | 1.2% | 2.3% | 0.37% | <0.01% | <0.01% |
| Jan 2026 | 78.7% | 12.9% | 3.2% | 1.7% | 3.2% | 0.35% | 0.01% | 0.01% |
| Feb 2026 | 81.8% | 10.9% | 2.7% | 1.5% | 2.7% | 0.36% | 0.01% | 0.01% |
| Mar 2026 | 78.8% | 13% | 2.6% | 2.1% | 3.2% | 0.29% | 0.02% | <0.01% |
| Apr 2026 | 77.6% | 15.5% | 2.6% | 1.4% | 2.6% | 0.34% | 0.02% | <0.01% |
| May 2026 | 79.4% | 13% | 3.2% | 1.4% | 2.6% | 0.35% | 0.02% | <0.01% |
| Jun 2026 | 82.3% | 11% | 2.7% | 1.5% | 2.2% | 0.3% | 0.02% | <0.01% |
| Jul 2026 | 79.4% | 13% | 3.2% | 1.4% | 2.6% | 0.35% | 0.02% | <0.01% |
| Aug 2026 | 79.2% | 12.9% | 3.2% | 1.7% | 2.6% | 0.35% | 0.02% | <0.01% |
| Sep 2026 | 78.5% | 12.8% | 3.2% | 2.6% | 2.6% | 0.35% | 0.02% | 0.01% |
How has the Flipboard and NewsBreak comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- NewsBreak was ahead of Flipboard in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Flipboard’s share of searches among news apps worldwide moved from <0.01% to 0.01%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1K to 1.3K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, NewsBreak’s share of searches among news apps worldwide held steady at 3.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 368K to 301K.
How did search popularity change for news apps worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Flipboard’s and NewsBreak’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among news apps

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