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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
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Better options than

First Alert 4 alternatives

First Alert 4 users often look for alternatives due to excessive ads, autoplaying videos, and issues with notifications and app navigation. Alternatives like NewsBreak and WIVB News 4 offer different news experiences, while dedicated weather apps provide more focused forecasts.

Why users look for alternatives to First Alert 4

The alternatives

NewsBreak
4.8★ · 1,368,453 ratings · Free

NewsBreak is an app that provides local news and crime information, with some users finding it useful for tracking local incidents and crime maps R58R61. It is praised for being a good app for finding crimes in your area R58.

Better for: NewsBreak is better for users who prioritize local crime information and maps R58R61. It suits those who want to stay informed about local events and incidents R52.

Head-to-head: First Alert 4 vs NewsBreak
First Alert 4 Weather
4.7★ · 24,401 ratings · Free

First Alert 4 Weather is a dedicated weather app that provides relevant weather information and loud alerts for storms R72R75. It is appreciated for its ability to provide information at your fingertips R75 and for not being as burdened by pop-up ads as some other weather apps R69.

Better for: This app is better for users who need focused, accurate weather information and storm alerts R72R75. It is particularly useful for those who want to avoid excessive ads during weather emergencies R69 and appreciate having weather details readily available R75.

Head-to-head: First Alert 4 vs First Alert 4 Weather
First Alert Weather
4.7★ · 19,361 ratings · Free

First Alert Weather is an app that provides weather forecasts and alerts, with some users praising its dependability and accuracy R86R92. It is helpful for travelers needing hourly updates R88 and offers videos R80.

Better for: This app is better for users who prioritize dependable and accurate weather forecasts R86R92, especially those who travel and need frequent updates R88. It suits users who appreciate video forecasts R80.

Head-to-head: First Alert 4 vs First Alert Weather
HotStock
4.7★ · 14,478 ratings · Free

HotStock is an app designed to notify users when out-of-stock items become available, helping them purchase hard-to-find products R96R104. It offers a premium AutoBuy feature that some users found effective for securing purchases R100.

Better for: HotStock is better for users actively trying to buy highly sought-after or out-of-stock items, such as collector's editions or electronics R96R100R104. It is particularly useful for those willing to pay for the AutoBuy feature to increase their chances against scalpers R98R100.

Head-to-head: First Alert 4 vs HotStock
WIVB News 4
4.6★ · 11,503 ratings · Free

WIVB News 4 is a news app that provides local news and weather information, with users appreciating its balanced news reporting and timely event information R114R117. Some users find it to be the best app for looking at the weather R112.

Better for: WIVB News 4 is better for users seeking balanced local news reporting and general event information R114R117. It also suits those who appreciate its weather coverage R112.

Head-to-head: First Alert 4 vs WIVB News 4
Stick with First Alert 4 if

You should stick with First Alert 4 if you enjoy specific shows like 'Great Day St. Louis' for its positive and educational content , or appreciate particular news anchors and their chemistry .

Evidence note: NewsBreak has some reviews indicating issues with ads, scams, and content quality , which might limit its suitability for some users. HotStock has mixed reviews regarding its effectiveness and the value of its premium features, with some users reporting it doesn't work or is a waste of money R99. First Alert 4 Weather and First Alert Weather also have some complaints about ads and accuracy . WIVB News 4 has complaints about ads, old news, and crashing .

Frequently asked

Why do First Alert 4 users complain about ads?
First Alert 4 users frequently complain about ads because they are numerous, often autoplay with sound, appear as pop-ups, and interrupt content, including critical severe weather updates R6R9R12R15.
Does HotStock's premium AutoBuy feature work?
HotStock's premium AutoBuy feature has mixed reviews; some users found it effective for successfully purchasing hard-to-find items R100, while others reported it did not work for them, stating it failed to purchase items due to low stock even after paying $10.99 for the monthly service R99R101R103.
What are common issues with First Alert 4 notifications?
Common issues with First Alert 4 notifications include custom notifications not working as expected R1, not receiving updates or notifications at all R7, and the alert icon not disappearing after reading an article R14R16.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R6] First Alert 4 3/5 · US Needs slight improvements: There needs to an auto play option so you can opt out. Have the option to automatically playing videos or when I can just read the story. There’s a glitch where the stories I clicked to read or watch don’t come on. A bunch of advertisements come on and never show the story I clicked on.
  2. [R9] First Alert 4 3/5 · US Stop autoplaying videos with sound: The content is good, but I really wish there was an option to either 1) stop autoplaying videos, or 2) at least have them be muted when they do. I actually hate opening this app because it’s so obnoxious and disrupts everything I’m doing. I still do, because I want to see the content, but I don’t enjoy it.
  3. [R12] First Alert 4 3/5 · US Do not like the latest version: I've been using the KMOV App for several years now and I don’t appreciate being forced to listen to ads while reading the stories because there is no pause or volume control. I could care less how Peter Pan feels about AAA. I used to love this app, now I’m not as inclined to use it. 🥺
  4. [R15] First Alert 4 1/5 · US Too Many Ads!: … on auto play and loud af, when you close one ad, another takes its place. Back to KSDK.
  5. [R1] First Alert 4 1/5 · US App needs work: Many things wrong with this app, once you click a story towards the end of the “top stories”, and you’re finished reading and click back, the app always takes you to the very top - losing where you previously were. The custom notifications don’t work. I have “breaking news” only checked, but I receive notifications of the cardinals minor league team’s results. Please fix!!! This
  6. [R3] First Alert 4 3/5 · US App: Whenever I hear you say that more of the story is on their app, I cannot find it. No amount of scrolling or search words work.
  7. [R4] First Alert 4 1/5 · US App not reading correctly: Please fix the app
  8. [R24] First Alert 4 2/5 · US Don’t like the refresh: Used to love the app. Now you can’t share stories and all advertising before you can look at anything.
  9. [R28] First Alert 4 1/5 · US Longtime user, first time reviewer: The current, recently updated version is horrible! Font size of headlines unreadable and not editable. More and larger size ads than actual news. Stay in your lane. I may have to go back to KSDK or Fox2Now.
  10. [R33] First Alert 4 1/5 · US Update: This new update to your app stinks. From the opening, which isn’t easy to get rid of the ad, thanks a bunch by the way, to the new layout. Have you heard the phrase, “ If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it “ ? Well, it wasn’t broke, so fix it, and put it back the way it was
  11. [R37] First Alert 4 1/5 · US Not user friendly: Updated app is horrible! Too many ads. Not able to swipe between articles. Videos do not play. This is a horrible update!! Will be deleting app.
  12. [R10] First Alert 4 1/5 · US Clickbait headlines: I get it you want clicks. But every single news alert is clickbait. “Memphis Grizzlies player dies” is as example of an inappropriate time for click bait. Deleting the app.
  13. [R46] First Alert 4 1/5 · US Horrible!!!: App uses too many fake adds, and click bait. If you accidentally hit one, you are forced to access a site, and then you cannot close it in the app. There is never enough information given on any stories to make this app useful at all! I am deleting!
  14. [R52] NewsBreak 5/5 · US A girl, but I will not say anything else: It is great. I love it and I heard about the crash on the highway. 155 but I ran almost all of it. I am a great reader. It is a great app app app
  15. [R58] NewsBreak 5/5 · US AMAZING APP: I think the app is really good for finding crimes in your area I highly recommend.
  16. [R61] NewsBreak 5/5 · US It’s good: 5 stars it’s good for crime maps
  17. [R69] First Alert 4 Weather 5/5 · US Preferred weather app!!: We used to use a different local station's Weather app, which shall remain anonymous, but it became so unusable by pop-up windows that we decided to try the First Alert 4 Weather app. Bingo! You can actually use the First Alert app without having to wait for the next advertisement to finish its run. We're sticking with this one.
  18. [R72] First Alert 4 Weather 4/5 · US Extremely useful but some bugs: I do love that it gives me loud alerts to storms but unfortunately even though I turned off alerts to lightning so I could sleep it still gave me the alerts. Hopefully this bug is fixed quickly. .
  19. [R75] First Alert 4 Weather 5/5 · US Info at my fingertips: This is a great app for relevant weather information at my fingertips.
  20. [R80] First Alert Weather 5/5 · US This is great: Ok so WLBT is awesome ok who cares what the other people rate it there probably not from the south . This app is amazing it gives you videos but no it’s not long at all . The people are just impatient. I was in the march 24 2023 rolling fork tornado and the chief meteorologist Dave Roberts he saved my moms and me life!
  21. [R86] First Alert Weather 5/5 · US Weather peace of mind!: You are the best. I have only one other app. You are most dependable & accurate. Thank you
  22. [R88] First Alert Weather 5/5 · US Traveling from Ky: Thank you so much for keeping us updated hourly! We downloaded your app on Friday as we traveled into Mississippi from Ky and it’s helped us tremendously to plan when we needed to stop. We travel in a motorhome so the updates have been so helpful!
  23. [R92] First Alert Weather 5/5 · US Love this app: Love this app! Thank you for accuracy.
  24. [R96] HotStock 5/5 · US THANK YOU!: This app really works! I was recently able to successfully buy an item that’s been out of stock everywhere. It’s only because HotStock notified me that stock was available that I was able to complete the purchase. Within a minute, the item was OOS again!!
  25. [R98] HotStock 5/5 · US BEST APP TO FIGHT THE SCALPERS!: I wish i knew about this app before!
  26. [R100] HotStock 5/5 · US Worth it: This was my first time using this app. I found it because I wanted to find a collector's edition of a game that is coming out soon and all the pre-orders sold out in like 10 minutes from the announcement. It took me a long time and probably 100+ attempts to get the game into my cart and buy it, but I finally got it! Definitely worth it, and I think the auto-buy feature that I did also he
  27. [R104] HotStock 5/5 · US Glad this exists: App is fantastic. Has helped me get the limited edition Halo Xbox series X back in 2020 and now today helped me get the assassins creed black flag resourced collectors edition for Xbox series X. If you are trying the find a product this is the app for you.
  28. [R112] WIVB News 4 3/5 · US News 4: I love this this is the best app to look at the weather
  29. [R114] WIVB News 4 5/5 · US Best news app: I love these app cause I’m informed all the time with the latest events
  30. [R117] WIVB News 4 5/5 · US Intelligent analysis.: Always balanced news reporting.Great for news
  31. [R99] HotStock 1/5 · US Doesn’t actually work: Paid for the membership and everytime the item stocks it can’t auto buy for me and sells out. What a waste
  32. [R101] HotStock 1/5 · US Don’t waste your money: Tried this app and wasted $10.99 for the monthly service. Not once has it worked. Save your money and try something else. This is a waste of time and money.
  33. [R103] HotStock 1/5 · US Waste of Money - Premium Does not work: Don’t waste your time or money on the premium service! I purchased this app thinking I could use it to AutoBuy Pokemon cards and other electronics that I wanted that are in high demand. I paid $10.99 and it was NOT worth it. Every time something becomes available it says the autobuy feature was not able to purchase because of low stock. Isn’t that the reason
  34. [R7] First Alert 4 2/5 · US Bring back the old one: Prefer the old one better. Do not get updates or notifications, have been through my settings, have re installed too. I am die hard Channel 4 fan a not being able to notifications and getting other outlets before I get it front here … is upsetting. I have always trusted this source. If this can be fixed please assist. Thank you!
  35. [R14] First Alert 4 3/5 · US App issue: Fix the app so the alert icon goes away
  36. [R16] First Alert 4 3/5 · US Alerts Don’t Work Lately…: Since the February 2026 updates on iOS 26, the alert notification(s) (the number at the top, right, of app or folder it’s contained in) doesn’t go away after reading the article or alert. It’s very annoying!

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store