Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
User consensusAlternativesIs it worth it?
Better options than

Simple Radio alternatives

Users often seek alternatives to Simple Radio due to excessive and intrusive ads, even in paid versions, and issues with favorite station management. Alternatives offer different approaches to ad monetization, station selection, and user interface, catering to various preferences for radio listening.

Why users look for alternatives to Simple Radio

The alternatives

TuneIn Radio

TuneIn Radio offers a wide selection of local and international radio stations, including news and music, and can be used for language practice R52. However, the free version has significant ad interruptions, sometimes playing multiple minutes of ads before a station starts, and app-specific ads can play on top of regular radio commercials R51R53R54R59.

Better for: TuneIn Radio is better for users who prioritize access to a broad range of local and international stations, including news and language learning content, and are willing to tolerate extensive ads in the free version or pay for a premium subscription to reduce them R52.

myTuner Radio
4.8★ · 241,586 ratings · Free

myTuner Radio provides access to many stations with good sound quality R66. However, users frequently encounter numerous and intrusive ads, including pop-ups that block the UI and cannot be closed, often interrupting music or appearing every time a station is changed R65R67R68. Some users also reported being charged for an annual subscription they did not intend to purchase, with the app potentially no longer offering a free ad-supported version R74.

Better for: myTuner Radio could be suitable for users seeking good sound quality and a wide selection of stations who are prepared to deal with frequent and sometimes unskippable ads, or who are willing to pay for a subscription despite reported issues with unexpected charges and the removal of a free tier R66R67R74.

Head-to-head: Simple Radio vs myTuner Radio
Radio FM
4.6★ · 89,219 ratings · Free

Radio FM is praised for its station selection and overall quality R80. However, it is heavily criticized for excessive ads and pop-ups that prevent simultaneous use of other apps and appear every time a user switches back to the app R79R81R82. Some users also reported that subscribing did not remove these embedded ads . There are also reports of the app not opening or crashing after updates .

Better for: Radio FM is better for users who prioritize a good selection of stations and are willing to endure frequent, intrusive ads, even with a subscription, or for those who might find its station offerings uniquely appealing despite the ad experience R79R82.

Head-to-head: Simple Radio vs Radio FM
radio.net
4.7★ · 68,305 ratings · Free

radio.net offers a wide selection of stations globally and is easy to use, with some users finding it useful for language learning R94. However, the app is plagued by pop-up ads that can't be closed, frequent freezing, and reports of malware or virus pop-ups R93R96. Users also noted significant battery drain and device overheating R95.

Better for: radio.net suits users who value a broad international station selection, potentially for language learning, and are prepared to contend with significant ad issues, potential app instability, and high battery consumption R95.

Head-to-head: Simple Radio vs radio.net
RadioApp
4.6★ · 67,032 ratings · Free

RadioApp is described as simple, easy to use, and good for listening to local stations, with a reasonably priced premium subscription R108. However, users report frequent static, stations fading out, and repetitive ads even between songs R110. There are also complaints about poor support, stations not being available, and difficulty finding local stations or listening to content when away from home, even with a paid version R109.

Better for: RadioApp is better for users looking for a simple, free app to listen to local radio stations, provided they are willing to overlook occasional static, station dropouts, and repetitive ads R108. Users seeking reliable access to specific stations or robust support might find it less suitable R109.

Head-to-head: Simple Radio vs RadioApp
Stick with Simple Radio if

Users should stick with Simple Radio if they value its wide selection of stations that might not be available elsewhere, appreciate its overall simplicity, and are not significantly bothered by the ad experience or can manage the favorite station issues .

Evidence note: All alternatives have sufficient reviews to form a judgment.

Frequently asked

Does Simple Radio have too many ads?
Yes, many users report that Simple Radio has an excessive number of ads, including full-page pop-ups and interruptions during content, with some stating that ads persist even after purchasing a premium subscription R4R12R14R18.
Are there issues with Simple Radio's premium version?
Yes, some users who paid for Simple Radio's premium version, with prices mentioned around $20 or $40, still reported experiencing numerous app-specific commercials and ads R12R14R30R35.
Does Simple Radio support Apple Watch?
Simple Radio has an Apple Watch app, but at least one user reported a wrong layout for the radio station list and play screen on Apple Watch 8, requiring manual adjustments R5.
What are the main complaints about TuneIn Radio ads?
The main complaints about TuneIn Radio ads are that they are excessive, often lasting 90 seconds or more to start a stream, and that the app plays its own ads in addition to the regular commercials from the radio station R51R53R59R60.
Is myTuner Radio free?
myTuner Radio used to offer a free ad-supported version, but some users reported in July 2026 that the app no longer offers a free version and requires a subscription, costing around $35 annually R74.

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. [R4] Simple Radio 1/5 · US Too many ads local and international: Horrible app now used to be great but now i have to listen to local and intl ads
  2. [R12] Simple Radio 2/5 · US Mucha publicidad: Aunque pagues premium siguen apareciendo estos espantosos comerciales de Toyota
  3. [R14] Simple Radio 1/5 · US Commercials Commercials Commercials: A lot of interruptions with commercials after paying $20!!!! UPDATE: After the CLEVER response from the app creators, let me clarify that the ads are coming FROM the app itself. I’m not talking about the regular commercials that any radio station would normally have. Instead of wasting time with clever responses, it would be better to fix the app. People are
  4. [R18] Simple Radio 1/5 · US WAS SOOO happy with Simple radio. It was do- able and free - UNTIL suddenly covered w full page ads.: It is impossible for me to use now. I'm looking for a better app. It was good. Now I am about to ditch it.
  5. [R10] Simple Radio 1/5 · US Supports illegal phishing scams: They don’t filter their ads, so they include malware and phishing attacks.
  6. [R24] Simple Radio 1/5 · US Dangerous ads: Do not use this app
  7. [R28] Simple Radio 1/5 · US App allows Scammer Ads - Apple needs to pull from AppStore: Scammers tricked my friend who is sight disabled with a scam add the replicates a Home Screen and a fake pop up window says “Warning Apple ID locked” with “Protect now” button with instructions below “1. Click Protect Now, 2. Download app, 3. Check your phone” Obviously this is a spyware app and the scammers will call and ask you to p
  8. [R3] Simple Radio 3/5 · US Good but…: Be careful using favorites. I have a curated set of favorites that I surf daily. One accidental touch on the right side, where the stars are and POOF the favorite is gone. This happens to me on a regular basis and is wildly frustrating. I have reported this to Simple Radio, begging for a little more friction in this feature. No change in years.
  9. [R9] Simple Radio 3/5 · GB Please introduce Favourites lock: I like the simplicity and functionlity of this app a lot, but for me there is a noticeable design fault. My 84 year old mother pays for the premium version and constantly acccidentally clicks on the blue star in the favourites section and accidentally removes some station or other from her favourites. She is not tech savvy at all and explaining to her how to searc
  10. [R5] Simple Radio 5/5 · US Apple watch 8 Layout: Apple watch 8 has wrong layout to radio station list and play screen. I have to drag down to adjust the wrong favorite display or go to recently played screen and back to favorite. Apple Watch OS seems to mismatch Simple Radio app. Apple Watch 5 doesn’t have this problem. Pls fix it as soon as possible.
  11. [R6] Simple Radio 3/5 · US Only works with VPN: Only works with VPN, takes a long time to load the station · translated
  12. [R7] Simple Radio 2/5 · US Estación: 580 no lo puedo escuchar nunca
  13. [R32] Simple Radio 1/5 · US simple Radio FM: enjoying listen to it but keep shut off most the times so hope turn off and app again fix the bug issues
  14. [R20] Simple Radio 1/5 · US Garbage: Another app hoping you forget about your free trial so they can charge you $40 for some garbage. App sucks and so do the developers
  15. [R35] Simple Radio 5/5 · US $39.99 plus tax: I paid $40 for what I need money back or tell me how to get my $40 worth of music
  16. [R44] Simple Radio 2/5 · US I did not subscribe the app automatically deducted my money from my account please refund my money: Thank you so much
  17. [R51] TuneIn Radio 2/5 · US Ads are ridiculous and wildly excessive: 90+ seconds of ads to start a stream. That’s completely unreasonable.
  18. [R52] TuneIn Radio 5/5 · US Local Radio: I have always enjoyed listening to a local radio station. Local updates are important to my family. Road and weather conditions, especially! Local radio personalities are always very helpful and friendly! Thank you for asking! Lin Wepking 🇺🇸
  19. [R53] TuneIn Radio 3/5 · US Twice the commercials.: I listen to talk radio a lot. On other streaming apps, you hear the complete show - including the regular ads during the show. On Tune-In app, they interrupt the show content to play commercials from the app. So, you get the radio ads AND ads from the app! 😡
  20. [R54] TuneIn Radio 2/5 · US Just be aware: Using the free version. I find many stations to be more commercial time rather than content.
  21. [R65] myTuner Radio 2/5 · US Too Many Ads: When I first started using TuneIn, it was amazing. Now there are way too many ads, and it’s frustrating. It’s become very difficult to enjoy listening to any station with so many interruptions.
  22. [R66] myTuner Radio 5/5 · US Review from Zimbabwe: Very good and convenient. Good sound quality.
  23. [R67] myTuner Radio 3/5 · US Good for awhile: I was enthused about this radio app for awhile. I understand that free apps often rely on advertisements and I would patiently wait through those. However recently the app has pop-up ads that block all access to the UI and cannot be closed out. So the app has to be completely restarted frequently. That's pretty unacceptable, so I will have to be looking for a new radio app.
  24. [R68] myTuner Radio 2/5 · US Mi opinión: Mucha publicidad y creciendo.
  25. [R79] Radio FM 1/5 · US Excessive forced ads: Excessive Ads & pop-ups destroyed this app. Cannot minimize window preventing the listener from conducting simultaneous activities on other apps. Oh! Did I mention the ads are Excessive preventing music from playing.
  26. [R80] Radio FM 5/5 · US exelente: exelente
  27. [R81] Radio FM 3/5 · US Pop ups: Too many pop ups and ads
  28. [R82] Radio FM 1/5 · US Getting worse and worse!: Ads ruined this app. I get it, couple of time you get an ad, but now literally every single time you switch between apps and you want to get back to the same screen with the station info, you get an ad.
  29. [R93] radio.net 2/5 · US Pop up ad nuisance: Allows pop up ads on iPhone that can’t be closed.
  30. [R94] radio.net 5/5 · US JSB: Love your station!!
  31. [R95] radio.net 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.
  32. [R96] radio.net 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.
  33. [R107] RadioApp 2/5 · US 0nceGood - now notso much: …fix "stall " between station changes
  34. [R108] RadioApp 5/5 · US One of best: I like this radio app. It is simple and easy to use and a premium subscription doesn’t break the bank.
  35. [R109] RadioApp 3/5 · US Stations not available: This was a good app but then I tried to put it to one of my favorite stations the ranch and it wasn’t available and I’ve waited like a whole week and still nothing
  36. [R110] RadioApp 1/5 · US RadioApp: The app really doesn’t work 1/2 of the time it fads off and eventually 1.2 u will get to listen to music so much 100% static then anything else
  37. [R30] Simple Radio 1/5 · US Es un robo: Cobran bien caro y no dejan de pasar el montón de comerciales a cada rato eso es un robo total no la recomiendo
  38. [R59] TuneIn Radio 3/5 · US 12 ads before anything: Way too many ads before they play your station. I had the wrong radio station. Found the right one and the ads started all over. No chance of surfing at all so forget that. Going back to Iheart. I understand ads are necessary but this is ridiculous.
  39. [R60] TuneIn Radio 1/5 · US Endless ads to start: When I first connect, I can end up in an endless ads loop. Three minutes, five minutes, seven minutes …. It just goes on and on. No idea if it’s a bug or what, but it’s excessive.
  40. [R74] myTuner Radio 1/5 · US PREMIUM IS THE ONLY OPTION: I used to listen for free (ad supported version.) The app no longer offers the free version. Subscription is $35 as of 7/3/26

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