Citizen Times

Android Only

Free· User Rating

How Citizen Times feels in everyday use

The main appeal is concentration. Instead of asking me to sort through a huge national feed, the app gives local reporting a more prominent place. That matters on an ordinary morning when I want to know about nearby decisions, community developments, local events, or issues that affect the area directly. A broad news app may mention major national stories first, while Citizen Times is more likely to feel relevant to the place where I live.

I also appreciate that the experience is not limited to plain text. The publication’s emphasis on photography and video gives local stories more context when an image or short report communicates something faster than several paragraphs. That is particularly useful for visual events, changing conditions, community gatherings, and stories where the location itself is important.

Still, I would not describe the app as a complete replacement for a general news reader. If I want international coverage, a wide range of specialist topics, or several competing viewpoints in one place, I would normally use a larger national news app or a browser alongside this one. Citizen Times has a narrower purpose, and that is both its strength and its main limitation.

A practical morning routine

My preferred way to use it is in short sessions. I would check the leading stories early, scan the sections that matter to me, and open only the reports that could affect my day. For example, someone commuting locally might use it to keep an eye on community developments or regional disruptions, then switch to another source for broader headlines. That workflow avoids expecting one publication to cover every kind of news equally well.

There is also a useful distinction between reading for awareness and reading for depth. Citizen Times can help me notice what deserves attention, but I would still read the full article before treating a headline or short video as a complete explanation. Local stories often depend on details such as location, timing, public decisions, and the people involved. The app is a starting point for that understanding, not a shortcut around it.

Photography and video are more than decoration

The visual side deserves attention because it changes how local coverage feels. A strong photograph can immediately show the scale of an event or the condition of a place, while video can make a developing story easier to follow. In a local publication, that visual connection can be more meaningful than the polished but distant imagery found in some national feeds.

My advice is to treat visual posts as a way to orient yourself, then read the accompanying report for the surrounding facts. This is one of the app’s more useful trade-offs: it can make the news easier to approach, but the most memorable image is not necessarily the most complete account.

What the current version tells me about its direction

The current version is 8.10.3, and that number shows the app has gone through a long period of development since its original release on June 29, 2012. I see that history as important context. This is not a brand-new experiment trying to prove that local news belongs on a phone; it is an established app that has evolved across changing mobile habits, publishing expectations, and audience preferences.

That evolution is useful for existing readers because a maintained app is generally more convenient than relying on an old mobile webpage or a saved browser shortcut. The current release also supports devices using Android 8.0 or later, which gives it a reasonably broad place on older phones while still excluding devices that have not kept up with operating-system updates.

I would be careful, however, not to treat a version number as proof that every part of the experience has been redesigned recently. A newer version can reflect maintenance, compatibility work, presentation changes, or several smaller adjustments rather than a complete transformation. From a reader’s point of view, the important question is whether the app makes daily access to Citizen Times easier. For me, its value remains tied more to the publication and its local focus than to the version label alone.

How the evolution affects longtime readers

Someone who has used the app for years will probably judge it differently from a first-time visitor. Existing readers already know what kind of local coverage they want, so even a modest improvement in access can be worthwhile. They may also be more tolerant of a layout that feels familiar or of occasional friction because the app keeps their preferred publication close at hand.

New users have a different standard. They are likely to compare it immediately with large news platforms that offer highly refined feeds, extensive customization, and a wide range of sources. Citizen Times does not need to imitate those services to be useful, but it does need to make its local value obvious quickly. If the first session does not show why this publication deserves a place on the home screen, a casual reader may simply return to a broader alternative.

The app has a free price, which makes that first trial easy. There are also in-app purchases listed between $14.99 and $69.99 per item, so I would pay attention to what an account or subscription screen offers before confirming anything. The free entry point is appealing, but readers should distinguish between installing the app and gaining access to every possible part of a publication’s digital offering.

Who gets the most from it

I think Citizen Times is a good fit for people who live in the publication’s coverage area, have family or work connections there, or simply want local reporting to be more visible in their routine. It can also suit readers who prefer a publication-centered experience over a large aggregator that mixes dozens of sources and topics.

It is less suitable for someone who wants one app to handle local, national, international, business, science, sports, and specialized analysis with equal depth. It is also not my first recommendation for a reader who wants to compare multiple editorial perspectives side by side. In those cases, a broad news aggregator or a combination of several trusted sources will usually be more flexible.

Three ways I would use it differently from a casual reader

Use the visual coverage as a location check. When a story concerns a place or event I recognize, the photography and video can help me decide whether the article is immediately relevant before I spend time reading it closely.
Separate discovery from verification. I would use the app to discover local subjects, then read the full report and consult another reliable source when the information affects a decision, schedule, or public response.
Keep a narrow reading goal. Rather than endlessly scrolling, I would choose two or three local subjects that matter to me and return later for updates. That makes a focused publication more useful than treating it like an unlimited social feed.

These habits also reveal the central trade-off. A local app can reduce noise because its subject area is narrower, but it may require another source when I want context beyond the publication’s immediate focus. That is not necessarily a flaw; it is simply something a new user should understand before making it the center of a daily news routine.

Where the experience still falls short

The average rating is 2.9 from around 147 ratings, with roughly 57 written reviews. I would not use that score as a complete verdict, but I would take it seriously as a sign to keep expectations realistic. A local publication can be valuable even when its app is not the most polished product in the category, yet readers still notice slow-feeling navigation, unclear access boundaries, intrusive prompts, or presentation choices that interrupt reading.

Another possible source of friction is the difference between what a reader expects from an app and what the publication is designed to provide. Someone arriving for a rich, constantly personalized stream may find the experience too focused. Someone who wants a quick route into Citizen Times may be perfectly satisfied with that narrower design. Before deciding whether it belongs on your phone, I would ask a simple question: do you want this publication specifically, or do you mainly want news in general?

The age rating of Everyone 10+ makes it suitable for a broad audience, but that does not mean every story will be comfortable or simple. News naturally includes serious subjects, and parents may still want to guide younger readers even when the app’s formal rating allows access.

How it compares with the usual alternatives

Compared with a national news app, Citizen Times feels more personal and geographically relevant but less comprehensive. A national platform is better when I want a wide overview or several major beats in one sitting. Citizen Times is better when the question is, “What is happening in this community, and why might it matter to people nearby?”

Compared with a general news aggregator, it offers a clearer editorial identity. Aggregators are efficient for scanning many outlets, but they can bury local reporting beneath popular national stories. The Citizen Times app gives the publication a more direct relationship with the reader. The cost of that focus is variety: I would not expect the same breadth of sources or topic coverage.

Compared with reading the publication in a mobile browser, a dedicated app can be more convenient for repeated visits because it keeps the publication separate from open tabs and unrelated browsing. Whether that convenience is enough depends on how often I read Citizen Times. If I only visit occasionally, the browser may be simpler. If local coverage is part of my daily routine, the app makes more sense.

Questions I would settle before installing

Will it replace my other news apps? In my view, no. I would use it alongside a broader source, especially for national and international coverage. Its role is to strengthen local awareness, not to cover every information need.

Is it worth trying when it is free? Yes, particularly if Citizen Times covers a place that matters to you. The free installation lowers the risk of testing the reading flow, the visual coverage, and the relevance of the local stories. I would still review any purchase screen carefully because optional items range from $14.99 to $69.99.

Can a casual reader benefit from it? Yes, but only if the local focus matches the reader’s interests. Someone who rarely follows regional news may not open it often enough to justify keeping it installed, while a resident or connected family member may find it genuinely useful.

Is the latest version a reason to expect a completely new app? I would not assume that. Version 8.10.3 indicates ongoing evolution, but the practical test is whether the current reading experience is convenient on your device and whether the coverage fits your needs.

Should parents treat the age rating as a guarantee that every article is child-friendly? No. The Everyone 10+ rating allows broad access, but news can still include difficult subjects. Younger readers may need context and supervision.

What I would watch going forward

For future updates, I would watch how effectively the app balances local depth with everyday usability. The most valuable improvements would be the ones that help readers reach important local stories quickly without making the experience feel crowded. Clear presentation of articles, photographs, videos, and any paid access would also matter because confusion at those points can undermine trust.

I would also pay attention to whether the app becomes more useful for returning readers without losing its straightforward local identity. Personalization can help, but too much of it can hide stories that a community reader should see. In a publication-focused app, I would rather have a dependable view of significant local coverage than an endless feed optimized only for individual clicks.

My final view is that Citizen Times deserves consideration from readers who specifically want local news from the Citizen Times publication and prefer a dedicated mobile experience. I like the clear regional purpose, the combination of reporting with photography and video, and the fact that I can try it without an upfront price. I am less enthusiastic about recommending it as a universal news solution, especially to people who expect the breadth and refinement of a major aggregator.

My recommendation is selective rather than automatic: install it if local coverage is part of your daily life, test it during a normal week, and judge it by how quickly it helps you understand what matters nearby. If your main need is broad, multi-source news, keep a larger alternative in your routine. Used for the job it is actually suited to, Citizen Times can be a practical local window; used as an all-purpose news replacement, it is likely to feel too narrow.

Pros

Covers local news
events
and issues relevant to Asheville residents.
Offers a convenient way to read articles while away from a computer.
Helps users stay informed about community developments and public affairs.
Provides access to reporting from an established local news organization.
Useful for readers who prefer digital news over printed newspapers.

Cons

Some content may require a subscription or account to access fully.
Local coverage may be less useful for readers outside the Asheville area.
News articles can increase mobile data usage
especially with media content.
Notifications may feel intrusive if too many breaking-news alerts are enabled.
App experience may depend on a stable internet connection for current stories.

FAQ

What is Citizen Times, and what can I use the app for?

Citizen Times is a local news app focused on delivering reporting, updates, and stories from the Asheville and Western North Carolina area. After installing it, readers can browse current headlines, open full articles, and keep up with community news, politics, events, business, and regional issues. It is most useful for people who want a convenient mobile way to follow local journalism rather than relying only on national news apps or social media.

Is Citizen Times free to download and use?

The Citizen Times app can generally be downloaded without paying an installation fee, but access to every article may depend on the publication’s subscription and digital-access policy. Some stories may be available to all readers, while others can be limited after a certain number of views or reserved for subscribers. Before downloading, check the current in-app terms, subscription options, and pricing shown in the App Store or Google Play.

Does Citizen Times require a subscription to read articles?

A subscription may be required for unlimited access to Citizen Times content, particularly when the publication places articles behind a digital paywall. The exact limits and benefits can change, so the app should be checked for its current membership options. Subscribers may receive broader article access and other digital benefits, while casual readers may still be able to view selected news stories without subscribing.

Can I receive breaking-news notifications from Citizen Times?

Citizen Times may use push notifications to alert readers about important local developments, breaking news, and major updates. Notification availability can vary by app version and editorial settings. During setup, you can choose whether to allow alerts, and notification permissions can later be changed through your phone’s settings. If you prefer a quieter experience, you can disable them while continuing to open the app manually.

Is Citizen Times available for both Android and iPhone?

Citizen Times is designed for mobile readers and may be available through both Google Play for Android devices and the Apple App Store for iPhone or iPad, depending on current regional support. Compatibility can vary according to your operating-system version and device model. It is best to review the store listing before installing, especially if your phone uses an older version of Android or iOS.