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

WKYT FirstAlert Weather vs AccuWeather

WKYT FirstAlert Weather 4.8★ · Free to download 40
Winner AccuWeather
AccuWeather 4.6★ · Free + IAP 65

AccuWeather is generally more feature-rich and reliable for a broader audience, despite recent performance issues and increased ads, while WKYT FirstAlert Weather struggles with significant technical problems and an overwhelming ad experience.

Full reviews: WKYT FirstAlert Weather · AccuWeather

AccuWeather offers a comprehensive set of weather tools and generally accurate forecasts, though recent updates have introduced performance problems and more intrusive ads. WKYT FirstAlert Weather, while praised for local accuracy by some, is plagued by frequent crashes, delayed radar, and an excessive number of ads that often prevent access to information.

Head to head

Features & Information edge: AccuWeatherR3R8R11R12
WKYT FirstAlert Weather WKYT FirstAlert Weather provides radar, hourly updates, and extended forecasts, with some users appreciating its local coverage and storm tracking R8R11. However, it lacks options for lightning alerts and detailed past rainfall data R3. Some users also find the layout generic R12 and report that forecast videos are often outdated compared to the website .
AccuWeather AccuWeather offers precise forecasts, radar, hourly and extended forecasts (including a 45-day view for premium users), and tools like air quality and allergen data R68. It provides 'rain starting in X minutes' forecasts that users find accurate . However, some users miss past rainfall data and precipitation alerts .
Accuracy & Reliability edge: AccuWeatherR16R17R28R30
WKYT FirstAlert Weather Users have mixed experiences with WKYT FirstAlert Weather's accuracy. Some praise it as accurate and dependable for forecasts and radar R17, while others report significant inaccuracies, delayed radar data R16R28R30, and discrepancies between daily and hourly forecasts .
AccuWeather AccuWeather is frequently lauded for its accurate forecasts and radar, with many users considering it their most reliable source R68. However, a notable number of recent reviews indicate issues with radar inaccuracy, incorrect temperature readings, and precipitation predictions being significantly off R64R66R76.
Ease of Use & Performance tieR10R21R24R25
WKYT FirstAlert Weather Many users report severe performance issues with WKYT FirstAlert Weather, including constant crashing, failure to open, and glitches R10R21. Some find the app difficult to navigate or cluttered R24. Audio for weather reports often doesn't work, while ads play perfectly R25.
AccuWeather AccuWeather is generally considered easy to use with clear navigation . However, recent updates have led to widespread complaints about slow loading times, the app not opening, blank screens, and frequent crashing R70R73. Some users also report widgets not working reliably .
Notifications & Alerts tieR3R11R13R29
WKYT FirstAlert Weather WKYT FirstAlert Weather provides weather alerts and notifications, which some users appreciate for storm tracking R11. However, many find the notifications excessive, annoying, or poorly implemented, such as alerts for show starts instead of just weather, or alerts for lightning in their area while trying to sleep R3R13R29. There are also reports of alerts not working or being delayed .
AccuWeather AccuWeather offers severe weather notifications and local warnings . However, many users are frustrated by irrelevant or disturbing notifications, such as air quality alerts every 30 minutes, or news about children dying in hot cars or losing hands in alligator attacks, even when all notification settings are supposedly off . Some also report notifications for locations turning on by themselves .
Ads & Monetization tieR1R4R6R9
WKYT FirstAlert Weather WKYT FirstAlert Weather is free but heavily criticized for an overwhelming number of intrusive ads. Users report watching minutes of ads before getting to weather information, ads playing perfectly while weather audio fails, and ads appearing even during critical alerts R1R4R6R9.
AccuWeather AccuWeather is free with in-app purchases, but the free version has become saturated with ads. Users complain about too many pop-up ads, ads appearing every time they click, and ads covering maps or freezing the app, especially during severe weather . There is no longer a simple ad-free purchase option, only a 'Premium+' subscription R102.
Pick WKYT FirstAlert Weather if

You are specifically looking for weather information from the WKYT local station and are willing to tolerate significant ad interruptions and potential app instability R8.

Pick AccuWeather if

You need a comprehensive weather app with a wide range of features, generally good accuracy, and are prepared to either navigate around frequent ads or pay for a premium subscription to remove them R68.

Evidence note: Both apps have a high number of recent negative reviews, particularly concerning ads and performance issues. WKYT FirstAlert Weather has a much smaller user base and fewer reviews overall, making some comparisons less robust. The free vs. paid asymmetry is present, as AccuWeather's free tier is heavily criticized for ads, while WKYT is entirely free but also ad-ridden.

Frequently asked

Does WKYT FirstAlert Weather have too many ads?
Yes, WKYT FirstAlert Weather is heavily criticized for having an excessive number of ads that often prevent users from accessing weather information, sometimes forcing them to watch minutes of ads before seeing forecasts or alerts R1R4R9R19.
Is AccuWeather accurate?
AccuWeather is frequently praised for its accuracy by many users R68, but a significant number of recent reviews report issues with radar inaccuracy, incorrect temperature readings, and precipitation predictions being off R64R66R76.
Why is my AccuWeather app crashing or slow?
Many AccuWeather users report recent issues with the app crashing, not loading data, displaying blank screens, or being very slow to open after recent updates R70R73R83R96.
Can I get AccuWeather without ads?
AccuWeather offers a 'Premium+' subscription to remove ads, but users note that a simple ad-free purchase option is no longer available, and the free version is now heavily laden with ads R102R105R118.

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] WKYT FirstAlert Weather 3/5 · US Okay: I am using this app cause previous one meant for a state below me no longer works for me although it did up until like 2-3 months ago. So this one’s local but it’s not the best. No alert options for lightening. Somehow I get alerts on ai version of ai person talking about something, so turned off all alerts. Last few days was not showing anything on radar not ANYWHERE even when zoomed out to
  2. [R8] WKYT FirstAlert Weather 5/5 · US Great Weather Information: I really enjoy the great features. The Radar and the updates and hour by hour are really good.
  3. [R11] WKYT FirstAlert Weather 5/5 · US Weather watcher: I enjoy the weather app because I can check the weather any time of day or night. It’s also great for tracking storms.
  4. [R12] WKYT FirstAlert Weather 3/5 · US Generic: Every weather app i’ve installed looks the same. Layout generic with dew/humidity run together. Not as advertised. Start page same for 2 other apps.
  5. [R16] WKYT FirstAlert Weather 1/5 · US Inaccurate Radar: Don’t trust the radar on this one. Very inaccurate in comparison to TWC.
  6. [R17] WKYT FirstAlert Weather 5/5 · US AWSOME: This app is good for telling you the most accurate weather forecast and will help you get dressed in the mornings.
  7. [R28] WKYT FirstAlert Weather 2/5 · US Only two stars: It’s not up-to-date most of the time and gives inaccurate information. it can be pouring the rain at our location and show that there is no rain on the radar. The temperature is always different from the forecast on the TV, or on our own temperature gauge at our house, etc.. I understand that that are variables @ different locations….
  8. [R30] WKYT FirstAlert Weather 3/5 · US Delayed Data: Compared to the radar images from the Weather Channel app, this app's data seems to be delayed by about 15 min. Critical flaw especially during the stormy season. Experienced this first hand today as a strong thunder storm raged over head, but this app still shows the storm as not yet here!
  9. [R10] WKYT FirstAlert Weather 1/5 · US Glitching App: App is pretty much unusable 90% of time. As soon as you click on the app it will open and then glitch and go back to home screen within 5 seconds. My app is updated and actually experiences this glitch on multiple devices. I’ve reached out to WKYT Facebook page a year ago and they said they would pass it along to their IT team but the app is still doing it. I love WKYT weather and w
  10. [R21] WKYT FirstAlert Weather 3/5 · US Bad update: I updated my app today and now it won’t open. I’ve done all the usual tricks and nothing works.
  11. [R24] WKYT FirstAlert Weather 3/5 · US Retract the update: I went to this app because it was easy to use after WLEX had updated there app. Now this one is terrible. It has been deleted
  12. [R25] WKYT FirstAlert Weather 2/5 · US Weather review: When we tap the button to listen there’s no sound Yes, my computer, iPad and iPhone are working
  13. [R13] WKYT FirstAlert Weather 2/5 · US Good, but…: The app is helpful, and I used to appreciate their warnings of weather alerts. Unfortunately now it annoys you every time the show is starting so I’ve had to turn notifications off. I’ll be switching to another app for alerts.
  14. [R29] WKYT FirstAlert Weather 5/5 · US Too much: - 4:30am and trying to sleep- haha~ lightning has been detected in your area- wow no kidding?! Maybe turn it off with the BUZZZZ 😫
  15. [R1] WKYT FirstAlert Weather 1/5 · US Keeps Getting Worse: Just got alert about upcoming forecast at 11:00 am. Turned on the app for 3 minutes of ads prior to 11:00. It’s 11:03 and still in ads/music mode. Just closed the app. Worthless would be giving undo credit.
  16. [R4] WKYT FirstAlert Weather 1/5 · US Ads: So many ads I cannot get to the weather!!
  17. [R6] WKYT FirstAlert Weather 3/5 · US Adds: Know you have to have adds. But would like precipitation for area updated more often and correctly. Otherwise all good!
  18. [R9] WKYT FirstAlert Weather 3/5 · US Too many ads: I want a weather forecast… but am forced to watch irrelevant ads.
  19. [R19] WKYT FirstAlert Weather 1/5 · US Don’t rely on this app: This app makes you watch a 20 second ad before you can even watch the alert that was just issued. If someone happened to open it when those 20 seconds mattered I guess WKYT and WYMT wouldn’t mind as long as they get their ad funding!
  20. [R64] AccuWeather 2/5 · US Inaccurate weather: Do not use app for accurate weather .
  21. [R66] AccuWeather 3/5 · US Radar: The radar is almost always inaccurate.
  22. [R68] AccuWeather 5/5 · US Accurate weather forecasts: Love this app, it’s what I’ve always wanted and has everything I need to stay ahead of the storm. Thanks so much.
  23. [R76] AccuWeather 2/5 · US Horribly inaccurate: It can be torrentially raining where we are and the radar shows absolutely nothing even close. Rain starting and ending time predictions have been notoriously way off base. The app says to expect clouds and rain on and off all day and we will have the most beautiful weather all day. Do not believe this app.
  24. [R70] AccuWeather 1/5 · US Never works: I’ve been using acuweather for years but the last 6 months have me fed up. The app is still crashing almost every time I use it.
  25. [R73] AccuWeather 2/5 · US Gone downhill: This used to be a great app, but in the last six months or so, I am finding that it won’t load data a lot of the time. I open it and get a blank screen. I have to kill it and open it multiple times to get data. And other times it does the ad game thing, then freezes when that’s done and I have to kill the app. Super disappointed :(
  26. [R83] AccuWeather 4/5 · US Good so far but…SLLOOWW: So far the app seems to be good and accurate. Nice design. Came in handy while traveling in South America. My biggest complaint is the app is VERY SLOW to load. Like really slow.
  27. [R96] AccuWeather 3/5 · US Keep having issues: I love to get my weather from AccuWeather and have for a long time But these last couple weeks when there is severe weather I try to open my app and it doesn’t open. It says something went wrong we are working hard to fix it. Well it’s constantly. Then it will open and if I close it and try to reopen it. I will get the same message. When it does open it takes forever. Don’t kno
  28. [R102] AccuWeather 3/5 · US No as-free version: Only Premium+ is available. Bad choice Accuweather. I deleted the app and want to encourage them to bring back an ad free version
  29. [R105] AccuWeather 3/5 · US Too Many Ads: The app itself is okay, it’s navigating through all the ads that makes it unpleasant.
  30. [R118] AccuWeather 1/5 · US Now Has ADS Every Time You Click: This app used to be my go to for weather events - it was accurate and reliable. They now have added ads every time you click on literally anything outside of the main screen. It’s irritating and time consuming. I’ve used this app for years and am now switching to a competitor just because of this change.

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