--- schema_type: "SoftwareApplication" entity_type: "Mobile Application" app_name: "Make: Magazine" developer_entity: "Make Community, LLC" bundle_id: "com.makezine.magazineipad" app_store_id: "752446884" category: "Lifestyle" primary_platform: "ios" primary_monetization: "Subscription" offline_capable: false market_region: "US" platforms: "iOS" app_last_updated: "2026-06-03" report_date: "2026-06-15" last_verified: "2026-06-15T13:22:23.120Z" report_version: "7.2.2" total_reviews: 25 overall_rating: 2.04 sentiment: "Frustrated" sentiment_score: 20 confidence: "medium" confidence_score: 0.45 review_sample_size: 25 data_age_days: 16 momentum_velocity: "maintenance" intelligence_version: 3 nemesis: "Wood Magazine" competitor_count: 11 tags: ["lifestyle", "subscription", "frustrated sentiment", "mobile app", "app review", "app analysis", "enthusiasts,", "hackers,", "tinkerers"] canonical_url: "https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/lifestyle/make-magazine" license: "CC-BY-NC 4.0" content_version: "v2" --- # Make: Magazine App Audit ## TL;DR {#tldr} - **Category**: Lifestyle ยท Subscription - **Signal**: Rating 2.04 ยท Sentiment Frustrated > **TL;DR:** Make: Magazine is a lifestyle app by Make Community, LLC, rated 2.04/5 by 25 users, with Frustrated user sentiment (20/100), available on iOS. > > **Marlvel.ai App Intelligence** โ€” Independent analysis. US Market. No publisher influence. > **Key Insight:** Make: Magazine has Frustrated user sentiment with a 2.04/5 rating from 25 reviews. ## Quick Facts | Fact | Value | | :--- | :--- | | **Rating** | 2.04/5 (25 reviews) | | **User Mood** | Frustrated | | **Category** | Lifestyle | | **Developer** | Make Community, LLC | | **Pricing** | Subscription | | **Platforms** | iOS | | **Confidence** | Medium (0.45/1.0) | | **Data Age** | 0d | ## Metadata & Market Performance - **Publisher:** Make Community, LLC - **Category:** Lifestyle - **Target Audience:** DIY enthusiasts, hackers, and tinkerers interested in electronics, robotics, and fabrication projects. - **Platforms:** iOS - **Version Audited:** 7.2.2 - **Audit Date:** 2026-06-15 - **Signal Count:** 49 reviews analyzed - **Confidence:** Medium (0.45/1.0) - **App Store ID (iOS):** 752446884 - **Bundle ID:** com.makezine.magazineipad - **Performance Trend:** Declining - **Data Window:** Analysis based on signals collected up to 2026-06-15 ## Executive Snapshot **What it is:** Make: Magazine is a digital publication for DIY enthusiasts, hackers, and tinkerers, providing project tutorials and maker profiles on iOS. **Why users hire it:** Users hire Make: for expert-led technical know-how in electronics and robotics, but the app's poor stability forces them to seek more reliable instructional sources. ## App DNA (Features & Intent) - **[Standard] Digital Magazine Reader:** Full digital replica of the print magazine with project tutorials, maker profiles, and diagrams * *User Intent:* Users need clear guidance to understand and adopt the product quickly. - **[Differentiator] Project Tutorials:** Step-by-step guides for electronics, robotics, 3D fabrication, and woodworking * *User Intent:* Users need clear guidance to understand and adopt the product quickly. - **[Standard] Auto-Renewing Subscription:** Recurring billing cycle for annual access to four digital issues * *User Intent:* Users seek enhanced value through premium features. ## Market Position {#market-position} Make: Magazine operates in the Lifestyle category with a 2.04 rating across 25 reviews, signaling significant friction in the digital reading experience compared to niche hobbyist competitors. ## Monetization Strategy - **Model:** Subscription - **Tiers:** Single issue for $8.75, One-year subscription (four issues) for $25.00 - **Analysis:** Subscription model anchored at $25.00 annually, utilizing a single-issue purchase option to lower the barrier for new users. ## ๐Ÿ”ด User Sentiment (Medium Confidence: 25 reviews) {#user-sentiment} - **Overall Rating:** 2.04/5 - **Platform Split:** iOS 2.0/5 (25 ratings) - **Overall Sentiment:** Frustrated ## SWOT Analysis {#swot} **Core Strengths:** - Strong brand identity within the hacker and DIY-tech community - Deep technical content library for electronics and robotics **Critical Frictions:** - 2.04 rating on iOS indicates severe stability issues - Lack of offline reading mode limits utility in workshop environments **Growth Levers:** - Implement offline reading to match nemesis capabilities - Add skill-level filtering to broaden the appeal to beginner makers **Market Threats:** - Wood Magazine's higher user satisfaction erodes brand loyalty - Niche competitors with better technical support capture the DIY-tech wallet share ## Recent Changes (v2 โ†’ v3) {#recent-changes} The report shows a narrowing of the competitive focus toward niche-specific instructional apps and a clearer identification of feature gaps like offline reading. **Overall trend**: Declining **Compared at**: 2026-06-15 ### High-impact changes - **[Shifted] SWOT Analysis Refinement** (swot) โ€” Weaknesses now explicitly cite the lack of offline reading mode, and threats shifted from general science publications to specific niche competitors like Wood Magazine. - **[Shifted] Competitive Landscape Expansion** (positioning) โ€” The competitive set was expanded from 4 to 12 entities, focusing on niche-specific instructional apps like Inside Crochet and Model Engineer & Workshop. ### Medium-impact changes - **[Declined] Sentiment Confidence Reduction** (sentiment) โ€” Confidence in sentiment analysis shifted from high to medium, following a decrease in the analyzed review count from 49 to 25. - **[Added] Offline Reading Requirement** (features) โ€” Offline reading mode was added to the feature gaps and PM action items as a necessary parity feature against Wood Magazine. ## Rivals Landscape {#rivals} > Competitive positioning identified by AI analysis of app features, category, and market signals. ### Make: Magazine vs Wood Magazine โ€” Head to Head - **[Wood Magazine](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/lifestyle/wood-magazine)** by Meredith Corporation: Wood Magazine competes directly for the attention of DIY enthusiasts and makers by offering high-quality, project-based instructional content that mirrors the Make: magazine editorial focus. - **Key differences:** - Offers robust offline reading capabilities, ensuring users can access project plans in remote workshop environments. - Maintains a significantly higher user rating, suggesting superior content delivery and app stability compared to Make:. - Provides structured project plans that cater to specific skill levels, reducing the barrier to entry for beginners. - **Where Make: Magazine wins:** - โœ… Broader scope of maker content including electronics and robotics, whereas the nemesis is niche-focused on woodworking. - โœ… Stronger brand identity within the hacker and DIY-tech community compared to traditional woodworking publications. - **Where Wood Magazine wins:** - โŒ Higher app store rating and user satisfaction, indicating a more reliable and polished digital reading experience. - โŒ More consistent release cadence and feature updates, keeping the app relevant and functional for modern devices. - **Verdict:** Make: must prioritize technical stability and offline accessibility to close the satisfaction gap and retain its tech-savvy user base. ### Contenders (Strong Challengers) - **[Inside Crochet](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/lifestyle/com-magazinecloner-insidecrochet)** by Pocketmags.com: While the craft differs, this app competes for the same 'maker' wallet share by providing pattern-based instructional content for creative hobbyists. - Features a dedicated pattern library that allows users to search and filter projects by specific technical requirements. - Offers integrated technical support, providing a safety net for users attempting complex projects for the first time. - **[Model Engineer & Workshop](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/reference/com-magazinecloner-modelengineersworkshop)** by Mortons Media Group Ltd: This app serves the technical maker community with a focus on engineering and workshop projects, directly overlapping with Make:'s DIY electronics and robotics audience. - Curates a deep technical content library that provides long-term reference value beyond standard magazine issues. - Integrates community insights, fostering a collaborative environment that encourages user engagement and knowledge sharing. - **[Woodsmith](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/magazines-newspapers/woodsmith)** by Active Interest Media, Inc: Woodsmith competes for the DIY maker audience by focusing on detailed, step-by-step project instructions and high-quality illustrations. - Provides granular subscription management and single-issue purchase options, offering more flexible monetization than a rigid model. - Utilizes detailed step-by-step illustrations that simplify complex assembly processes better than text-heavy digital magazine formats. - **[FineScale Modeler](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/lifestyle/finescale-modeler)** by Flying Media Group, LLC: This app targets the same hobbyist demographic as Make: by providing specialized instructional content for model building and technical assembly. - Includes text-to-speech functionality, allowing users to consume instructional content while their hands are busy working. - Features a cross-platform account sync system that ensures seamless transition between mobile and desktop devices. ### Peers (What They Do Better) - **[DIY Home Projects Ideas](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/lifestyle/diy-home-projects-ideas)** by Mobway Solutions SRL: This app targets the general DIY enthusiast, providing a repository of project ideas that competes with Make:'s tutorial content. - Facilitates user-submitted content, creating a community-driven repository of ideas that requires less editorial overhead than magazines. - Uses push notifications to alert users to new project ideas, driving higher engagement and app re-opening rates. - **[Complete Cross Stitch Patterns](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/art-design/complete-cross-stitch-patterns)** by FOREFO: This app competes for the time and attention of hobbyists who value structured, skill-based project tutorials. - Implements a skill-level filtering system that helps users find projects appropriate for their current experience level. - Operates on a free access model that lowers the barrier to entry for new, casual hobbyists. - **Stash Hub** by Douglas Todd: Stash Hub targets the organizational needs of makers, helping them track materials and projects similar to how a maker tracks their build progress. - Utilizes 'Magic Input' and 'Magic Mockup' features to automate inventory tracking and project visualization for users. - Provides robust cross-platform sync, ensuring that material inventories are always accessible regardless of the device used. - **[็น”ๅฅณๆ—ฅ่จ˜ | Vega Knit](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/tools/com-hauserzmh-knitlog)** by hauser: This app serves the creative maker community by providing digital tools for pattern design and project management. - Includes a customizable pattern canvas that allows users to create and modify designs directly within the app. - Supports group editing functions, enabling collaborative project development which is currently absent in the Make: app. ### New Kids on the Block (What's Innovative) - **[Walliz โ€“ DIY Wallpaper Collage](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/graphics-design/walliz-diy-wallpaper-collage)** by Hypernova Limited: This app targets the creative DIY aesthetic, focusing on visual design projects that appeal to the maker mindset. - Provides a specialized DIY wallpaper maker tool that allows users to create custom digital assets for personal use. - **[TOOLHOP](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/social-networking/app-replit-toolhop)** by Daniel Crosby: TOOLHOP introduces a peer-to-peer model for tool sharing, addressing the logistical needs of the same maker audience Make: serves. - Enables peer-to-peer borrowing and equipment monetization, creating a circular economy for expensive maker tools and hardware. ## What's New - **Latest (v7.2.2, 1 weeks ago):** General bug fixes and performance optimizations for iOS. ## App Momentum (Maintenance) {#momentum} - No notable feature updates recently. > **Cadence:** 1 total versions ยท 0 majors in last 6 months ยท 11 days since last update ## The "So What?" (Strategic Takeaway) {#so-what} Make: Magazine is a challenged lifestyle app that is available. With a 2.04/5 rating from 25 reviews, it faces significant user friction. > **Bottom Line:** Make: Magazine holds its category lead through strong brand authority but bleeds users to more stable niche publications, so revenue growth hinges on fixing the app's technical foundation. **Best for:** DIY enthusiasts, hackers, and tinkerers interested in electronics, robotics, and fabrication projects. ### PM Action Plan (Next Best Moves) - [ ] [INVEST] [HIGH IMPACT] Rebuild core navigation and stability because the 2.04 rating indicates high churn risk โ†’ improve retention โ€” *The 2.04 rating is the primary indicator of user dissatisfaction and churn.* _(trade-off: deprioritize Pause all new content feature development for one cycle.)_ - [ ] [PIVOT] [MEDIUM IMPACT] Ship offline reading mode because it is a standard requirement for workshop-based DIY apps โ†’ increase utility โ€” *Competitors like Wood Magazine offer offline capabilities, creating a parity gap.* _(trade-off: deprioritize Deprioritize the planned UI refresh for the magazine reader.)_ ### Feature Gaps vs Competitors - Offline reading mode (available in Wood Magazine) - Skill-level filtering (available in Inside Crochet) - Integrated technical support (available in Inside Crochet) ### Outlook: Declining The DIY-tech market is consolidating around apps that offer reliable, workshop-ready instructional content. Make: Magazine remains exposed to churn until it addresses the stability gap, so the PM must prioritize technical hygiene over new content features to stop the outflow of loyal users. - ๐Ÿ”ด The 2.04 rating indicates a failure to meet basic stability expectations, which accelerates churn toward more reliable hobbyist apps. - โšช Recent updates have not introduced new features, suggesting the team is currently focused on maintenance rather than growth. ## Key Metrics Summary | Metric | Value | | :--- | :--- | | Overall Rating | 2.04/5 | | Total Reviews | 25 | | Sentiment | Frustrated (20/100) | | Confidence | Medium | | Pricing Model | Subscription | | Platforms | iOS | | Key Features | 3 analyzed | | Trend | Declining | | Outlook | Declining | ## Competitor Comparison | App | Rating | Sentiment | Developer | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Make: Magazine** (this app) | 2.04/5 | Frustrated | Make Community, LLC | | [Inside Crochet](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/lifestyle/com-magazinecloner-insidecrochet) | 5.0/5 | N/A | Pocketmags.com | | [็น”ๅฅณๆ—ฅ่จ˜ | Vega Knit](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/tools/com-hauserzmh-knitlog) | 4.0/5 | N/A | hauser | | [Model Engineer & Workshop](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/reference/com-magazinecloner-modelengineersworkshop) | 5.0/5 | N/A | Mortons Media Group Ltd | | [TOOLHOP](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/social-networking/app-replit-toolhop) | 5.0/5 | N/A | Daniel Crosby | | [Walliz โ€“ DIY Wallpaper Collage](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/graphics-design/walliz-diy-wallpaper-collage) | 2.0/5 | N/A | Hypernova Limited | ## Company Profile - **Developer:** Make Community, LLC ## Data Sources & Links - **App Store:** [View on Apple Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/make-magazine/id752446884?uo=4) - **Sources:** App store metadata, User reviews. ## Related Intel Reports - [*Inside Crochet*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/lifestyle/com-magazinecloner-insidecrochet) (Pocketmags.com) โ€” 5.0/5 Rating | N/A Sentiment - [*็น”ๅฅณๆ—ฅ่จ˜ | Vega Knit*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/tools/com-hauserzmh-knitlog) (hauser) โ€” 4.0/5 Rating | N/A Sentiment - [*Model Engineer & Workshop*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/reference/com-magazinecloner-modelengineersworkshop) (Mortons Media Group Ltd) โ€” 5.0/5 Rating | N/A Sentiment - [*TOOLHOP*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/social-networking/app-replit-toolhop) (Daniel Crosby) โ€” 5.0/5 Rating | N/A Sentiment - [*Walliz โ€“ DIY Wallpaper Collage*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/graphics-design/walliz-diy-wallpaper-collage) (Hypernova Limited) โ€” 2.0/5 Rating | N/A Sentiment - [*Wood Magazine*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/lifestyle/wood-magazine) (Meredith Corporation) โ€” 4.7/5 Rating | N/A Sentiment - [*FineScale Modeler*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/lifestyle/finescale-modeler) (Flying Media Group, LLC) โ€” 1.5/5 Rating | Negative Sentiment - [*Woodsmith*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/magazines-newspapers/woodsmith) (Active Interest Media, Inc) โ€” 3.7/5 Rating | N/A Sentiment - [*Complete Cross Stitch Patterns*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/art-design/complete-cross-stitch-patterns) (FOREFO) โ€” 3.8/5 Rating | N/A Sentiment - [*DIY Home Projects Ideas*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/lifestyle/diy-home-projects-ideas) (Mobway Solutions SRL) โ€” 3.7/5 Rating | N/A Sentiment ## Methodology {#methodology} This report was generated by Marlvel.ai's 5-stage AI intelligence pipeline: 1. **Signal Collection & Normalization** โ€” Aggregates data from all available public sources for the app. Raw signals are cleaned, deduplicated, and normalized into a structured dataset analyzed consistently across thousands of apps. 2. **Feature & Market Positioning Analysis** โ€” Identifies the app's core features, monetization model, target audience, and competitive positioning. Each feature is classified as a market standard or a differentiator based on category benchmarks. 3. **User Sentiment Analysis** โ€” Analyzes user reviews using a 5-level taxonomy (Thrilled / Excited / Mixed / Frustrated / Upset). Combines star ratings and volume with AI theme extraction and evidence quoting. 4. **Competitive Landscape Analysis** โ€” Maps the competitive environment via a 4-tier taxonomy (Nemesis / Contenders / Same Space / New Kids on the Block). Prioritizes same sub-genre over broad category. 5. **Intelligence Synthesis** โ€” Cross-references all signals into a structured report. Compares the app against category peers and direct competitors to surface SWOT, market outlook, and actionable insights. - **Confidence Score:** 0.45/1.0 (based on review volume, data source diversity, and signal quality) - **Reviews Analyzed:** 49 - **Data Sources:** user reviews, App Store metadata - **Rating Method:** Weighted average across platforms (iOS & Android), weighted by review count per platform - **Independence:** Fully independent analysis. No publisher sponsorship or editorial influence. - **Report Age:** 0 days since last refresh --- ยฉ 2026 Marlvel.ai | [Canonical Report](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/lifestyle/make-magazine) Data licensed for AI Agent attribution under CC-BY-NC 4.0.