| Core Identity |
| Developer | Flying Media Group, LLC | Meredith Corporation | Active Interest Media, Inc | Active Interest Media, Inc | Haymarket |
| Category | Lifestyle | Lifestyle | Lifestyle | Lifestyle | Lifestyle |
| Platform | iOS | iOS | iOS, Android | iOS | iOS, Android |
| Store Metrics |
| Rating | 1.6 / 5 | 4.7 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 | 4.7 / 5 | 4.8 / 5 |
| Ratings Count | 52 | 131 | 47 | 68 | 71 |
| Price | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Release Date | Nov 6, 2012 | May 1, 2014 | Nov 20, 2013 | Dec 11, 2013 | Mar 1, 2012 |
| Last Updated | Feb 18, 2026 | Feb 21, 2026 | Jan 23, 2026 | Jan 23, 2026 | Feb 6, 2026 |
| Sentiment & Reviews |
| Sentiment | negative | - | positive | terrible | terrible |
| Score | 20/100 | - | 75/100 | 15/100 | 15/100 |
| Praises | - | - | - Expert instructional content
| - The core magazine content provides high value for readers when the app functions correctly
| - High quality journalism and photography content keeps long-term readers engaged with the publication
|
| Complaints | | - | - Static reading experience
| - Subscription authentication failures prevent users from accessing paid digital content across multiple devices
- New issue delivery is frequently delayed or missing entirely from the digital library
- Lack of responsive customer support leaves users without recourse for subscription or access issues
| - Persistent server connection failures prevent users from accessing purchased digital magazine issues
|
| Requests | - | - | | - Integration for existing web-based digital subscribers to access content within the mobile application
| - |
| Strategic Intel |
| Strengths | - 90-year content archive provides a deep technical moat
- Subscription model ensures recurring revenue from core hobbyists
| - Editorial authority in woodworking plans provides high switching costs for serious hobbyists.
| - Expert-led editorial content sustains high-intent hobbyist loyalty
- Interactive tool-maker links improve shopping workflows
| - Century-long brand authority sustains category leadership
- High-value editorial content provides unique utility
| - Editorial authority built on decades of print heritage
- Comprehensive global events calendar functions as a unique utility
|
| Weaknesses | - 1.58-star rating indicates critical stability issues
- Lack of cross-platform account synchronization
| - Subscription-only access model restricts the user acquisition funnel compared to ad-supported DIY competitors.
| - 1.42★ Android-iOS rating gap signals poor Android optimization
- Lack of integrated video workshops limits engagement depth
| - Subscription authentication failures block paid access
- 0-star support responsiveness exacerbates churn
- Digital delivery delays compared to print
| - Persistent server connection failures blocking paid content
- Unresponsive support channels and broken password reset links
- Basic PDF-style reader degrades high-resolution photography
|
| Pricing | subscription | subscription | subscription | subscription | subscription |
| Momentum | Maintenance | Maintenance | Maintenance | Maintenance | Maintenance |
| Update Cadence | 5 versions, 2 majors/6mo, ~577d avg | 5 versions, ~63d avg | 5 versions, ~83d avg | 1 versions | 2 versions, ~74d avg |
