What it does
MarketWatch is a comprehensive mobile app for staying informed on financial news and market movements. It serves as a one-stop shop for business headlines, real-time stock quotes, and detailed market analysis. The app is designed for both casual readers wanting to keep up with economic trends and serious investors who need to track specific stocks, indices, and market data.
Where it shines
The app excels at providing layered information access. A user can get a quick market overview from the ticker bar on the home screen (00:10), or dive deep into an interactive chart for a specific index like the DJIA with a single tap (02:02). Another strength is its clear, no-nonsense paywall strategy. Instead of blocking users upfront, it allows them to read a few articles before presenting a subscription screen (01:46), letting the value of the content sell itself.
UX highlights
- Progressive Disclosure: The app effectively separates high-level news from deep financial data. The main feed is clean and article-focused, while detailed charts are available one tap away.
- Universal Login: The sign-in screen at 00:46 smartly highlights that credentials work across the Dow Jones ecosystem (WSJ, Barron's), adding perceived value.
- Contextual Prompts: Monetization and login prompts are not arbitrary. They appear when a user hits a usage limit or tries to perform a members-only action like commenting (00:41).
- Efficient Navigation: A persistent side menu provides quick access to all major sections, from Market Data and Watchlists to Podcasts and Videos.
- Watchlist Functionality: Creating and managing a watchlist is straightforward. The app provides a helpful tooltip (03:55) when a new watchlist is created, guiding the user on how to sort their items.
- Action-Oriented Data: Market data screens aren't just for viewing; they include a prominent '+ Watchlist' button (02:06), encouraging users to save what they're researching.
Monetization & growth
MarketWatch uses a soft paywall model. Users can browse headlines and read a limited number of articles for free. Once the limit is reached, a full-screen paywall appears, offering two subscription tiers (00:16). The first tier unlocks MarketWatch digital content, while the second is a bundle with Barron's. The offer emphasizes an introductory price for the first year, a common tactic to lower the barrier to entry. There is no free trial visible in this flow.
Who it’s for
The app is geared towards anyone with an interest in finance, from students and professionals to retail investors and day traders. Its dual focus on news and data makes it versatile. The person who just wants to read about the latest political economy news (00:29) and the person who needs to check the day's performance of the NASDAQ (03:09) are both well-served.
Notes & opportunities
The user experience is generally smooth and functional, but some areas could be refined. The app's animations are very basic and rely on system defaults, which feels a bit dated. Adding subtle, custom micro-interactions could make the data feel more dynamic. Additionally, after creating an account, the app asks the user to verify their email (01:08) but then requires them to manually tap 'Continue to MarketWatch'. This could be streamlined by automatically redirecting the user after the sign-in is successful.