NewsBreak vs SmartNews:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, NewsBreak had more branded searches than SmartNews among news apps worldwide. NewsBreak had about 301,000 branded searches, while SmartNews had 33,100. NewsBreak made up 3.6% of all news app searches we track, and SmartNews accounted for 0.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about news apps, NewsBreak appeared in two of the five answers and SmartNews in none.
Who do people search for more?
NewsBreak, about 9 searches for every 1 for SmartNews
Who does AI mention more?
NewsBreak, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, SmartNews in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
NewsBreak, the only one of the two named
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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. SmartNews did not appear in any of the five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Google News1st
Ground News2nd
Apple News3rd- NewsBreak4th
Flipboard5th
Feedly6th
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
- 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, SmartNews. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Google News | NewsBreak | Apple News | Ground News | SmartNews | Feedly | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 90.3% | 3.6% | 2% | 3.6% | 0.4% | 0.01% | <0.01% |
| Nov 2025 | 91.2% | 3.7% | 1.6% | 3% | 0.4% | <0.01% | <0.01% |
| Dec 2025 | 92% | 3.7% | 1.4% | 2.5% | 0.41% | 0.01% | 0.01% |
| Jan 2026 | 90.3% | 3.6% | 2% | 3.6% | 0.4% | 0.02% | 0.01% |
| Feb 2026 | 91.9% | 3% | 1.7% | 3% | 0.41% | 0.01% | 0.01% |
| Mar 2026 | 90.5% | 3% | 2.5% | 3.7% | 0.33% | 0.02% | <0.01% |
| Apr 2026 | 91.9% | 3% | 1.7% | 3% | 0.41% | 0.02% | 0.01% |
| May 2026 | 91.2% | 3.7% | 1.6% | 3% | 0.4% | 0.02% | 0.01% |
| Jun 2026 | 92.4% | 3% | 1.7% | 2.5% | 0.33% | 0.02% | <0.01% |
| Jul 2026 | 91.2% | 3.7% | 1.6% | 3% | 0.4% | 0.02% | <0.01% |
| Aug 2026 | 90.9% | 3.7% | 2% | 3% | 0.4% | 0.02% | <0.01% |
| Sep 2026 | 90% | 3.6% | 3% | 3% | 0.4% | 0.02% | 0.02% |
How has the NewsBreak and SmartNews comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- NewsBreak was ahead of SmartNews in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, NewsBreak’s share of searches among news apps worldwide held steady at 3.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 368K to 301K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, SmartNews’ share of searches among news apps worldwide held steady at 0.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 40.5K to 33.1K.
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 NewsBreak’s and SmartNews’ 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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