HistoryDays review (2026): on-this-day history app
Short answer
HistoryDays (Learn History - HistoryDays, by Poppins Labs LLC) shows what happened on each day in history, with timelines, short videos, maps, weekly quizzes, AI audio conversations and an "Ask History AI" chat, and links every story to Wikipedia. It scores 4.6/10, #7 of 12, and passes 2 of 5 Timeline Test questions: a good daily curiosity habit, but not a course in order. It is iPhone only (not found on Google Play), needs iOS 26, is rated 16+, and Pro is needed for AI chat, maps, audio, video and full event details, from $4.99 a week with nine different prices on the listing. For history in order, Aurelius (our app) scores 9.2/10.
Best for A daily "on this day" history habit
Learn History - HistoryDays
Poppins Labs LLC
Our score: limited, #7 of 12
- Design 5
- Path 3
- Sources 4
- Depth 5
- Price 7
- Platforms 4
- Ratings 6
How the score works · inputs verified October 20, 2026
- App Store (US)
- 4.4 from 122 ratings
- Google Play (US)
- Not on Google Play
- Price (US)
- Pro: $4.99/week; monthly $4.99 to $14.99; yearly $14.99 to $69.99; lifetime $49.99
- What's free
- Daily events free; AI chat, maps, audio, video and full event details need Pro
- Platforms
- iPhone/iPad
- Age rating
- 16+ (App Store)
- Languages
- 7 languages
- Facts read on
- October 20, 2026
The Timeline Test: HistoryDays passes 2 of 5
- ✗ Does it teach history in order?
- ✗ Is there a quiz right after every lesson?
- ✓ Does it show sources or say who checks the facts?
- ✓ Are the lessons written by people, not generated by AI?
- ✗ Is the price clear?
Our five-question check, answered from the app's own listing. How the Timeline Test works.
What's good
- A new historical event every day
- Timelines, short videos, maps and weekly quizzes
- Links to Wikipedia for every story
- 7 languages
Watch out for
- Not a course: no path through history described
- iPhone only (not found on Google Play); needs iOS 26
- Many prices: weekly $4.99, monthly $4.99–$14.99, yearly $14.99–$69.99, lifetime $49.99
- Rated 16+; listed under Magazines & Newspapers
We make Aurelius. This review uses HistoryDays' App Store listing, read October 20, 2026.
What is HistoryDays?
The listing promises "daily historical events, defining moments, major turning points, legendary figures, and overlooked stories", timelines "from the ancient world through the Middle Ages and beyond", short videos "from Napoleon's rise to Marco Polo's journeys", "AI-powered audio conversations", "Ask History AI", interactive maps, weekly history quizzes and "links to Wikipedia for deeper exploration of every story". It launched in March 2025.
Price
Daily events are free. "Some features including AI chat, maps, audio and video content, and full event details" need Pro. US App Store (October 20, 2026): Pro Weekly $4.99; Pro Monthly $4.99, $9.99 or $14.99; Pro Yearly $14.99 (offer), $29.99, $49.99 or $69.99; Pro Lifetime $49.99.
Score: 4.6/10
| Criterion (weight) | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Learning design (22%) | 5 | Quick sessions, weekly quizzes; no streaks described |
| Chronological path (22%) | 3 | Collections that "connect across time"; no path in order |
| Sources and accuracy (17%) | 4 | Wikipedia links; AI for chat and audio |
| History depth (12%) | 5 | History only; no counts listed |
| Price and clarity (10%) | 7 | From $4.99, trial, many prices per plan |
| Platforms (10%) | 4 | iPhone only |
| Ratings (7%) | 6 | 4.4 from 122 App Store ratings |
Who it is for
People who enjoy a daily "on this day" fact on a recent iPhone. To learn history as a connected story, see how to learn history.
Frequently asked questions
Is HistoryDays free?
The daily events are; AI chat, maps, audio, video and full event details need Pro, from $4.99 a week.
Is HistoryDays on Android?
We did not find it on Google Play (US) on October 20, 2026.
What iPhone do I need for HistoryDays?
Its App Store listing requires iOS 26 or later. See history apps for iPhone for apps that run on older iOS.
Does HistoryDays use AI?
Yes, for its "Ask History AI" chat and AI audio conversations.
The bottom line
A pleasant daily fact app for new iPhones. For history in order, try Aurelius free for 3 days.
Sources
- Learn History - HistoryDays, US App Store listing and in-app purchases, read October 20, 2026; Google Play search, same date.