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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
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The verdict on

radio.net

45
User verdict / 100 High confidence Divided

radio.net offers a vast selection of global radio stations, which many users appreciate, but it is heavily criticized for an overwhelming number of intrusive ads, significant battery drain, and frequent streaming interruptions, even for paid subscribers.

4.7★ lifetime (68,305) Free to download since 2011 by radio.de GmbH updated 0.3 mo ago recent negative 21% 120 reviews across 4 regions
Ads & Monetization Performance & Stability Station Selection & Quality Privacy & Data
5★519
4★70
3★38
2★42
1★126
recent reviews across 4 regions, vs the 4.7★ lifetime average

radio.net provides a wide array of international radio stations, making it a popular choice for discovering new music and content globally R3R9R16. However, recent user reviews highlight significant issues including an excessive number of unskippable ads, rapid battery consumption, and frequent streaming disconnections, which detract from the overall experience R1R5R34.

What users like

  • Offers a wide selection of global radio stations and genresR3R9R16R30
  • Easy to use interface for finding and listening to stationsR9R34R41R43
  • Enables listening to favorite stations from anywhere, including local and niche stationsR11R12R37R39
  • Useful for language learning and discovering new culturesR7

What users complain about

  • Excessive and intrusive ads, including unskippable pop-ups, even for paid subscribersR1R5R46R57
  • Significant battery drain on mobile devicesR34R13R647
  • Frequent streaming interruptions, freezing, and stations dropping outR8R15R38R71
  • App can cause phone overheatingR4
  • Privacy concerns due to extensive tracking and data collectionR82R108R163
  • CarPlay and Apple TV apps have functionality issuesR38R54R377
  • Lack of 'Now Playing' or track name display for many stationsR25R257R443R458
  • Some stations play repetitive music or incorrect genresR29R128R354R438

Latest update · v5.11.10

What the developer says changed (the verdict above weighs this against what reviewers report):

Hello radio and podcasts lovers, No visible changes this time around—just some under-the-hood cleanup to keep the app performing at its best. Think of it as routine maintenance: not exciting, but definitely worth it. Need help or want to get in touch? You’ll find the contact form in the app settings. We're happy to hear from you.

Recurring themes

Ads & Monetization negative
Many users are frustrated by the overwhelming number of ads, including full-screen pop-ups that are difficult to close. This issue is exacerbated by reports that even paid subscriptions do not remove all ads, leading to feelings of being scammed. Some users also note ads interrupting streams when switching stations or after phone alerts.R1R5R20R46
Performance & Stability negative
Users frequently report issues with app performance, including rapid battery drain, frequent freezing and pausing, and stations dropping out or having poor signal. The app is also noted to cause phone overheating and can be sluggish, especially on older devices.R4R8R13R15
Station Selection & Quality mixed
While many users praise the wide variety of global stations available, some report issues with specific stations not working, repetitive song playback, or incorrect genre classification. There are also requests for more channels and features like 'Now Playing' information.R2R3R6R7
Privacy & Data negative
Several users express strong concerns about the app's privacy policy, stating that it tracks extensive user data, including location and phone activity, and sells this information. Some feel forced into the paid version to avoid tracking.R82R108R163

Who it's for

This app is for users who prioritize a vast selection of international radio stations and are willing to tolerate frequent, intrusive ads and potential performance issues like battery drain R3R9R34. It's also suitable for those looking for a tool for language learning or discovering music from different cultures R7. It is NOT for users who expect an ad-free experience, even with a subscription, or those concerned about privacy and excessive data usage R5R60R82.

Evidence note: The recent reviews skew heavily negative, particularly regarding ads and performance, which contrasts with the high lifetime rating. This indicates a significant decline in user satisfaction, possibly due to recent changes not addressed in the vague developer notes. The developer notes mention 'under-the-hood cleanup' but users report new or persistent issues like overheating and increased ads, suggesting the cleanup either didn't address these or introduced new problems R4.

Frequently asked

Does radio.net have too many ads?
Yes, many recent reviews indicate that radio.net has an excessive number of intrusive ads, including full-screen pop-ups that are difficult to close, which significantly detracts from the user experience R1R5R46R99.
Does paying for radio.net remove ads?
No, multiple users report that even after paying for a subscription, they still encounter numerous commercials and ads, leading to frustration and cancellations R20R47R57R60.
Does radio.net drain phone battery quickly?
Yes, several users have reported that the radio.net app drains their phone battery very quickly, with one user noting 39% battery usage in five hours on an iPhone 17 Ma Pro R34R13R647.
Are there privacy concerns with radio.net?
Yes, some users express strong privacy concerns, stating that the app has a 'horrific privacy policy' that tracks extensive user data, including location and phone activity, and sells this information R82R108R163.

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. [R3] 5/5 · US Radio net: Great way to hear different stations
  2. [R9] 5/5 · US Awesome app for radio: Easy to use app has most stations has allowed me to listen to great stations from around the world.
  3. [R16] 5/5 · US Awesome: Now I can listen to my favorite music everywhere in the world.
  4. [R30] 5/5 · US Best free radio I: Found thIs format after hearing about TRUE OLDIES CHANNEL . Now I use this format to listen to radio stations across the USA
  5. [R34] 3/5 · US Good app but “Eats” battery: Good application and has a wide selection of stations. Easy to use and good quality. HOWEVER, drains phone battery fast. I use iPhone 17 Ma Pro. In five hours the app had used 39% of the battery. Looking back and similar usage each day. Approx 4 to 5% per hour used. Developers please correct!! If this is corrected would be 5/5 rating.
  6. [R41] 5/5 · US Rating: For some reason I can’t get Knox fm on Audacy app on my iPhone 16 pro. Radio.net made it easy.
  7. [R43] 5/5 · US Radio City: Love having my stations on my phone-not just in the car😉💕
  8. [R11] 5/5 · US 24jonnyj: Oyster Radio of Apalachicola Florida is my favorite radio station. I can only hear it thru radio.net Awesome 
  9. [R12] 5/5 · US Love love love: Love that I can listen to the same radio station my cousins are listening to thousands of miles away
  10. [R37] 5/5 · US Great Radio App: Finally a good app to listen my favorite radio station from anywhere I go no matter what.
  11. [R39] 5/5 · US Love it: Can travel and listen to my favorite music and stations Thanks
  12. [R7] 5/5 · US Language learning tool.: I love using radio.net as a language learning tool. My favorite French station is Ici Paris - pour musique et bonne humeur. After having spent several Summers in Graz, Austria, I enjoy radio Steiermark for keeping up my under standing of the dialecte and enjoying Austrian folk music.
  13. [R1] 2/5 · US Pop up ad nuisance: Allows pop up ads on iPhone that can’t be closed.
  14. [R5] 1/5 · US Holy ad cancer Batman: Immediately upon first launch I was met with a full screen popup ad with non functional close button. Had to close the app completely to close the ad. Tried a few more times and it was about 50/50 ads vs functional app, then the app asked for a review. So, here I am leaving a one star review.
  15. [R46] 3/5 · US Ads are actually in the way: Just installed this app and am trying to figure it out, but every tap is accompanied by yet another full screen ad. Did find one station and it’s playing well so splitting the stars at 3.
  16. [R57] 1/5 · US Liars: Liars! I paid for the subscription, and there were 2 minutes and 30 seconds of local commercials, and I couldn't even listen to the station properly. The station plays for 1 minute and 30 seconds, then they cut it off and play local ads. Maybe you don't play your own ads, but you certainly play local ones. You even show more ads than the apps that don't charge anything! How frustrating!
  17. [R13] 4/5 · US Nice app. Excessive battery drain: New release 5.11.8 quickly draining battery on IPhone ios 26
  18. [R647] 3/5 · CA Don't know if its just me.: I don't know if it's just me but this things eats through my battery. It eats through like I'm watching video. Other then that it is pretty good quality and variety.
  19. [R8] 1/5 · US Straight trash: Constantly freezes/pauses and then gives you a pop-up letting you know your phones been infected with a virus. Shady AF business
  20. [R15] 1/5 · US Garbage: The music doesn't play when you press the play button, it's completely silent, and some kind of white notification pops up periodically. In general, garbage
  21. [R38] 1/5 · US Buggy: Pauses for no reason when I go to certain Facebook pages. CarPlay app doesn’t load after a few uses and the app has to be reinstalled. Been going on for months.
  22. [R71] 2/5 · US International radio: Unstable connections to internal radio , disappointing.
  23. [R4] 4/5 · US Latest update: Now the phone is after 2 mins of listening any station overheating.
  24. [R82] 1/5 · US App is a Privacy Nightmare: This app has an absolutely horrific privacy policy. Everything you do on your phone and everywhere you go, your location, is tracked by this app. YOU are the product. YOUR privacy is sold for money. One star review.
  25. [R108] 1/5 · US Ads and Tracking: This used to be a good app, but now they do not let you opt out of tracking and ads. The only way you can “opt out” is to go with the paid version. Deleted.
  26. [R163] 1/5 · US annoyed: since the update they have found a way to force you to agree to listen to and look at the crappy ads even before using the interface. one was able to adjust the settings to omit the ads but now no such adjustments are available. so now it’s either prime subscriptions or force fed with ads. no thanks ! and as i am no longer allowed to decline the use of my data it has to go. it was good wh
  27. [R54] 3/5 · US Apple TV app is not working anymore: Apple TV app is not working anymore. Please fix it.
  28. [R377] 3/5 · GB Ads!: Video ads now stop this otherwise good app from being used on my Sonos system. Disappointing
  29. [R25] 5/5 · US Artist I’d: It would be nice to see the artist named when listening to this station.
  30. [R257] 3/5 · GB No track names on app: Can’t see track names on the app but can see them on website
  31. [R443] 3/5 · GB I’d like to see ‘Now playing’: I’d like to see ‘Now playing’
  32. [R458] 3/5 · GB Track listings are missing: This is great! Other than it doesn’t tell me which track is playing when I’m listening to radio 6
  33. [R29] 1/5 · US Why is there 1940s on 1920s?: Years ago, the station was wonderful with 1920s radio music. Tonight I’m listening to it for the first time in quite a while, and I’m hearing things from the 1940s. That isn’t fun.
  34. [R128] 3/5 · US left coast 70’s: music is great just wish the same song would not be played over and over and over. 70’s was such a great decade for music. There is so much more out there than the same thing. Really like the commercial free zone.
  35. [R354] 3/5 · GB Lots of repeated songs: I like this station a lot but the same tunes play again and again.
  36. [R438] 3/5 · GB Iron maiden and AC/DC only: It’s a great app but unfortunately you mostly play iron maiden and AC/DC! Obviously these are the 2 most popular rock groups in Poland, nothing wrong with it, but the amount of heavy stuff it’s out there I didn’t expect to listen to the same 7 iron maiden songs 4 times in one day.
  37. [R20] 1/5 · US Too many commercials: It is a paid service but we still have to endure way too many commercials. What’s the point!
  38. [R2] 5/5 · US JSB: Love your station!!
  39. [R6] 5/5 · US Love listening to: The Game
  40. [R99] 1/5 · US What is the music?: I decided to try radio.net for the first time. I have been listening for the past 15 minutes of ads. Is this an ad station or music station?
  41. [R47] 1/5 · US Upgrade doesn’t work: I have paid to get “commercial-free”. Still am getting commercials
  42. [R60] 1/5 · US A Terrible App!: It is a terrible app with endless commercials after I paid for “no commercials”, what a scam! A waste of money.

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