Mag+ vs MagCast
Mag+
Interactive mobile app creation platform for design-driven digital magazine publishers
Publishers using it: 4 · incl. Outside, Incisive Media, Scrawl Magazine
MagCast
A premium white-label platform for launching branded digital magazine apps with dedicated business coaching
Publishers using it: 1
Last verified Oct 19, 2026
At a glance
- Mag+ scores 3.6/5 and MagCast scores 3.5/5 in Benchmark Grid's independent mobile magazine apps benchmark, both assessed on the same 10 criteria.
- The widest gaps are content management & publishing workflow (Mag+ 4.6, MagCast 3.2) and integrations & api (Mag+ 3.0, MagCast 2.0); they are within 0.3 on 6 of 10 criteria.
- Mag+ is built for small and mid-market publishers; MagCast for small.
- On total cost of ownership Mag+ scores 1.7 and MagCast 3.0 (higher means better value, not a lower price).
- In our tracking 4 publishers use Mag+ and 1 use MagCast.
- Scores last verified 19 Oct 2026. Vendors cannot pay for a score or a position.
Where they differ
Mag+ is stronger on content management & publishing workflow (4.6 vs 3.2), integrations & API (3.0 vs 2.0) and entitlements & subscription integration (3.0 vs 2.5).
MagCast is stronger on app store compliance & updates (3.0 vs 2.0).
Which one fits
Choose Mag+ if…
- You publish at small and mid-market scale.
- You weight content management & publishing workflow, integrations & API and entitlements & subscription integration heavily — Mag+ leads on those in this benchmark.
Choose MagCast if…
- You publish at small scale.
- You weight app store compliance & updates, monetisation and push & engagement tools heavily — MagCast leads on those in this benchmark.
Also weighing these
The nearest-scored tools to Mag+ and MagCast in this benchmark, listed A to Z.
- 3.3Magzter Publisher PlatformA global digital newsstand offering cross-platform distribution and revenue sharing for magazine publishersRead review
- 3.7MobiLoudConvert existing websites into high-performance native iOS and Android mobile applicationsRead review
- 4.2PugpigThe world's leading digital publishing platform for media brands to launch and grow mobile apps, sites, and archives.Read review
- 3.8Zinio Connect (a Naviga company)The leading end-to-end digital publishing platform for magazine conversion, global distribution, and monetization. (Now: Zinio was acquired by Naviga (formerly Newscycle Solutions) in May 2019 and currently operates as Naviga's commerce and distribution arm.)Read review
All 6 scored tools are in Best Mobile Magazine Apps.
Who uses them
Publishers we have detected running each tool, from ads.txt, site code and published case studies. Agencies, brands and vendors are excluded.
Head to head
| Criterion | Mag+ | MagCast |
|---|---|---|
| Monetisation14% of capability | 4.2 | 4.5 |
| Reader experience14% of capability | 3.2 | 3.2 |
| Content management & publishing workflow12% of capability | 4.6 | 3.2 |
| Analytics10% of capability | 3.0 | 2.8 |
| Entitlements & subscription integration10% of capability | 3.0 | 2.5 |
| Platform coverage10% of capability | 3.8 | 4.0 |
| App store compliance & updates8% of capability | 2.0 | 3.0 |
| Integrations & API8% of capability | 3.0 | 2.0 |
| Push & engagement tools8% of capability | 3.5 | 3.8 |
| Security & privacy6% of capability | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| Capability45% of composite | 3.4 | 3.3 |
| Publisher fit40% of composite | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Total cost of ownership15% of composite | 1.7 | 3.0 |
Cost of ownership
| Sub-score | Mag+ | MagCast |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing transparency | 1.0 | 3.0 |
| Entry cost | 1.0 | 2.5 |
| Implementation cost | 1.7 | 2.9 |
| Hidden-fee risk | 2.2 | 3.9 |
| Ongoing cost | 2.6 | 3.0 |
Mag+ pricing
Custom pricing; contact the vendor for a quote (mag+ Designd and mag+ Now).
MagCast pricing
From under $250/mo; the membership includes one magazine title, iOS and Android apps and a one-year term.
What users say
Mag+
15 positive · 9 neutral · 0 negative
MagCast
2 positive · 1 neutral · 0 negative
Mentions we could not tie to a real user, and those flagged as promotional, are excluded. Sentiment is opinion, and is independent of the verified publisher adoptions above.
Mag+ scores 3.6 and MagCast scores 3.5 in Benchmark Grid's independent Best Mobile Magazine Apps benchmark (benchmarkgrid.com/vs/mag/magcast, verified Oct 19, 2026)
Common questions
How do Mag+ and MagCast differ?
Mag+ is stronger on content management & publishing workflow (4.6 vs 3.2), integrations & API (3.0 vs 2.0) and entitlements & subscription integration (3.0 vs 2.5). MagCast is stronger on app store compliance & updates (3.0 vs 2.0). Neither is better in the abstract — which one suits you depends on which of those dimensions carries the most weight in your operation.
Which is cheaper, Mag+ or MagCast?
On total cost of ownership — pricing transparency, entry cost, implementation, hidden-fee risk and ongoing cost — Mag+ scores 1.7/5 and MagCast scores 3.0/5. A higher score means better value, not a lower sticker price.
How are these scores calculated?
Each tool is assessed against its category's published criteria (10 in this benchmark), which make up Capability (45% of the composite), Publisher fit (40%) and Total cost of ownership (15%). Assessment is carried out by SODP's editorial team against a published methodology. Vendors cannot pay for inclusion, scores or positions.
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Both tools are scored in Best Mobile Magazine Apps. See alternatives to Mag+ or alternatives to MagCast.
Weighing a third option? Add a tool to this comparison.
Where to next
Related comparisons
Other head-to-heads publishers look at in Best Mobile Magazine Apps.
