Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

SiriusXM vs iHeart

SiriusXM 4.8★ · Free + IAP 85
Winner SiriusXM
iHeart 4.8★ · Free + IAP 60

SiriusXM is the better choice for users seeking a vast, curated content library and a more reliable, ad-free listening experience, especially for those willing to pay for premium features, while iHeart is a decent free option but struggles with app stability and excessive ads.

Full reviews: SiriusXM · iHeart

SiriusXM offers an extensive variety of music, talk, and sports channels, with many users praising its ad-free experience and exclusive content, despite some app stability issues and high costs. iHeart Radio provides a wide range of music and podcasts for free, but users frequently report problems with excessive ads, buffering, and app crashes.

Head to head

Content Variety & Curation edge: SiriusXMR2R5R16R18
SiriusXM SiriusXM users consistently praise the exceptional variety of music, shows, and extra channels, including specific genres, sports, news, and exclusive content R2R5R16R18. Many appreciate the curated stations and the ability to find specific talk shows or sports broadcasts R18R22.
iHeart iHeart users acknowledge a variety of music, podcasts, and radio stations . However, some express frustration with the lack of variety on specific stations, or difficulty finding desired content .
Ad Experience edge: SiriusXMR3R12R21R26
SiriusXM SiriusXM is highly valued for its ad-free experience, with users specifically mentioning no long commercials or annoying ads, especially for paying subscribers . Some express frustration with content looping, which can feel repetitive, but it's not ad-related R3R12R21R26.
iHeart iHeart Radio users heavily criticize the excessive and long commercials, even for those paying for an "ad-free" subscription R51R56R66R80. Ads are described as too many, too long, and sometimes in a different language .
App Stability & Performance tieR1R4R9R10
SiriusXM SiriusXM users report various app stability issues, including random logouts, searches not clearing, the bottom bar disappearing, crashing, losing connection, and difficulty resuming playback after interruptions R1R4R9R10. Audio delays are also noted R9.
iHeart iHeart Radio users frequently experience significant app stability and performance problems, such as the app stopping after every song, not playing at all, buffering or stalling constantly, crashing, failing to load, and being glitchy R57R65. Login issues are also mentioned .
Features & Ease of Use tieR6R7R8R10
SiriusXM SiriusXM offers features like pausing and resuming live streams, but users desire fast-forward/reverse functionality and better handling of interruptions that reset playback R6R10. There are requests for an Apple Watch app R7R8. Some find the app interface messy or difficult to navigate . Videos have been added, which some enjoy .
iHeart iHeart Radio allows users to find podcasts and create playlists R65. However, users report issues with the UI being cluttered, hard to scan for episodes, and search bars being inaccessible . Some find the live radio not truly live or having issues with playback .
Price & Value edge: SiriusXMR5R15R18R22
SiriusXM SiriusXM is considered expensive by some users R15, but many believe it is well worth the cost for the variety, ad-free experience, and exclusive content R5R18R22. Discounts are reportedly available upon request R22.
iHeart iHeart Radio is generally perceived as a free app , but users are frustrated when desired features or content are paywalled or when they pay for an ad-free experience and still get ads R66.
Pick SiriusXM if

You prioritize a vast, curated, and often ad-free listening experience with exclusive content, and are willing to pay for a premium subscription R2R5. You value specific talk shows, sports, or unique music channels not found elsewhere R18R22.

Pick iHeart if

You are looking for a free app to access a wide range of music and podcasts, and are tolerant of frequent and lengthy advertisements . You primarily listen to local radio stations or enjoy making playlists with similar artists .

Evidence note: SiriusXM's reviews show a clear distinction between the value of its paid content and app functionality. iHeart Radio's reviews are heavily skewed by negative experiences with ads and app stability, which are common complaints for free-tier users, but even paid users report ad issues.

Frequently asked

Is SiriusXM worth the cost?
Many SiriusXM users find the service well worth the cost, citing the exceptional variety of music, shows, ad-free listening, and exclusive content as key benefits, with some even having lifetime subscriptions R5R18R22. However, some do find it expensive R15.
Does iHeart Radio have too many ads?
Yes, iHeart Radio users frequently complain about excessive and lengthy commercials, with some reporting 8 commercials for every two songs or almost 5-minute long ads, even when paying for an "ad-free" subscription R51R56R66R80.
Are there known issues with SiriusXM's app stability?
SiriusXM users have reported various app stability issues, including random logouts, searches not clearing, the bottom bar disappearing, frequent crashing, losing connection, and difficulties resuming playback after interruptions R1R4R10R11.
Can I listen to iHeart Radio without buffering?
Many iHeart Radio users report persistent buffering and stalling issues, even with good Wi-Fi or data signals, making consistent listening difficult R57R65R87. Some users suggest the problem lies with the app itself rather than their service R57.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 100 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. [R2] SiriusXM 4/5 · US 4.5/5: I love the App and the Exceptional Variety of music, shows, and extra channels you have to choose from. The only knock I have about the platform is having a skip limit. If I’m paying for the service, I want to be able to skip however much I want, or if you’re listening to an Artist Station, after 2 skips, play something from that particular artist.
  2. [R5] SiriusXM 5/5 · US Life time subscription: My wife bought me this Sirius for life subscription for my 50th. Birthday present what an exelaint present. I use it every day. Thank you Sirius..
  3. [R16] SiriusXM 5/5 · US Errr Day Music: Sirius Radio is my go to for Errr kind of music I like to ride too..
  4. [R18] SiriusXM 5/5 · US Can’t live without it: My wife gave me Sirius for Fathers Day 20 years ago and I can’t live without it. I travel the state of California for work and I never miss a news flash a walk off and on Sunday while watching my kids play soccer I’m listening to my favorite football team. If you have discretionary income of 30 spend it wisely and invest in Sirius you won’t be disappointed
  5. [R3] SiriusXM 3/5 · US Replay: Most hip hop channels play the same playlist over and over.
  6. [R12] SiriusXM 4/5 · US Great app: One star short of five is just due to too much looping of music sets, particularly in the Rock channels
  7. [R21] SiriusXM 1/5 · US STOP THE EAGLES 27/7 REPEAT: Seriously. I have been tuned to the Classic Vinyl Channel (26) since early this morning, and it’s been NON-STOP EAGLES! The EAGLES Channel is supposed to be Channel 105. STOP IT, ALREADY! Not everyone wants to hear Eagles music 24/7. And whoever does, go to Channel 105! I shouldn’t have to turn the channel, since I can’t hear a VARIETY of classic rock; what is SU
  8. [R26] SiriusXM 4/5 · US Same music: Enjoy Sirius but get irritated with same stuff being played all the time These bands have a huge library of music ,please play new music!
  9. [R1] SiriusXM 2/5 · US Recent Update 6/17/26: I have tried all of these none of it worked. Also now I can search something and hit clear recent searches and that specific search clears but still leaves the other 6 searches from before???? WTH???? Also the app just randomly logged me out for no reason. I wonder if this is happening to others ? The app doesn’t delete recent searches. After you delete them they show up n
  10. [R4] SiriusXM 1/5 · US 4th update no bottom bar.: Update: 4th attempt to tell Sirus that the bottom bar randomly disappears. I get the same condescending answer as you’ll see the App developers response below. Rather than telling me to restart my phone, how about fixing the issue? I’m writing another review because my other one is not present. SiriusXM has continue to not fix an issue with the bottom bar disappeared. Y
  11. [R9] SiriusXM 2/5 · US Delayed audio: Trying to listen in to the World Cup, audio is delayed by a full 30 seconds from the action.
  12. [R10] SiriusXM 4/5 · US Listing on playback can be somewhat frustrating.: When I use the app via my phone, and I want to start a show from the beginning versus live every little interruption in the signal, a phone call, navigation, anything at all set be right back to life, and I have to struggle to find the spot where I was again. It happens multiple times within short periods. Also, when I download things, and I want
  13. [R6] SiriusXM 3/5 · US Works, But Missing Controls: I love being able to stream my channels on my phone. I like that I can pause and resume. But why is there no fast-forward or reverse? Often I pause the stream to take a call, I can only resume and then go live. So if I’m in a call for 15 minutes, I can’t fast-forward during the commercials to catch up.
  14. [R7] SiriusXM 1/5 · US APPLE WATCH: Can you release an Apple Watch app?
  15. [R8] SiriusXM 5/5 · US Apple Watch support: Please add an app for my Apple Watch!
  16. [R15] SiriusXM 1/5 · US Love but very Expensive: I love being able to listen to Jeff Lewis but it is very expensive!
  17. [R22] SiriusXM 5/5 · US Well Worth It: You have your choice of streaming services, but I choose SiriusXM because it allows me to have live listening for MLB baseball included with my package. With all of the options in the car and online, and the ability to stream while traveling and using CarPlay. I find it a huge asset. Also, little known fact, they are quite good at offering discounts for you to continue your membersh
  18. [R51] iHeart 1/5 · US Sucks: Got to many adds now I be making it to my destination before I get a chance to listen to music
  19. [R56] iHeart 3/5 · US Commercials are way too long!: Commercials are way too long
  20. [R66] iHeart 1/5 · US Paid for add free, but still is not add free.: So I have been trying to put up with this for a while. But after an almost 5 minute long add for a podcast I couldn’t care less about, I am done being nice. I am paying for an “add free subscription” I expect no adds. That means when I open the app (when it doesn’t crash) not to have an add for this station or that artist or this event. When I am list
  21. [R80] iHeart 1/5 · US Endless commercial loops: This app stinks. All I want to do is to get in and listen to my local news and you get stuck in endless loops of commercials. When trying to listen to 700 WLW for news back home, all it does is go into commercial after commercial commercial. It has been doing this for a while and it’s not a glitch. This app is it disappointment.
  22. [R11] SiriusXM 2/5 · US App is crashing: App is crashing
  23. [R57] iHeart 1/5 · US Buffers/stalls when others don’t!: Utterly sucks. Buffers/stalls CONSTANTLY! Problem is in the app, not my service. Apps with audio AND VIDEO (YouTube, Amazon) run smooth. Fire your engineers. They should be ashamed
  24. [R65] iHeart 3/5 · US Notification and buffering: I like that I can find over my podcast on this app. The only problems I have is if I don’t have a perfect signal it will not play it just buffers. The other apps play my podcast just fine whenever I’m in these areas. It’s not necessarily even a low signal always. It’s very temperamental when it comes to how much service I get. I also don’t like that I constantly have a
  25. [R87] iHeart 4/5 · US Buffering: It would be nice if the app would stop buffering while listening to 94HJY. It does this on my WiFi and on my data.

Synthesized from 100 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store