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

WKYT FirstAlert Weather vs KSAT 12 Weather Authority

WKYT FirstAlert Weather 4.8★ · Free to download 65
Winner WKYT FirstAlert Weather
KSAT 12 Weather Authority 4.8★ · Free to download 50

WKYT FirstAlert Weather is a slightly better choice due to its more consistent performance and fewer critical issues reported by users, despite both apps struggling with ads and recent updates.

Full reviews: WKYT FirstAlert Weather · KSAT 12 Weather Authority

Both WKYT FirstAlert Weather and KSAT 12 Weather Authority are free, local weather apps that have faced significant criticism regarding recent updates, particularly concerning an increase in ads and a decline in usability. While KSAT has a higher lifetime rating, recent reviews indicate a sharp drop in user satisfaction due to widespread issues, giving WKYT a slight edge in current user experience.

Head to head

Features & Information Accuracy edge: WKYT FirstAlert WeatherR3R8R11R16
WKYT FirstAlert Weather WKYT users appreciate its radar, hourly updates, and storm tracking capabilities, with some finding the forecasts accurate R8R11R58. However, others report issues with radar inaccuracy, delayed data, and outdated forecast videos R3R16R30. Some users also desire more specific alert options, like for lightning R3.
KSAT 12 Weather Authority KSAT users previously praised its radar view and comprehensive information . However, recent updates have led to significant complaints about the radar being unusable, inaccurate, or lacking future projections . Users also report inaccurate notifications and difficulty finding written forecasts .
Ease of Use & User Interface edge: WKYT FirstAlert WeatherR2R12R24R25
WKYT FirstAlert Weather WKYT users have mixed opinions on its interface. Some find it straightforward and easy to use R2R24, while others describe it as generic or cluttered, with recent updates making it difficult to navigate R12R24. Issues like sound not working for weather content, or radar being covered by overlays, also impact usability R25.
KSAT 12 Weather Authority KSAT has faced a significant decline in usability due to recent updates. Users widely criticize the new interface as difficult to navigate, cluttered, and not user-friendly . Specific complaints include large icons, lack of landscape mode, inability to return to the main screen, and difficulty deleting custom locations .
Reliability & Performance edge: WKYT FirstAlert WeatherR3R10R13R21
WKYT FirstAlert Weather WKYT users report issues with the app crashing or glitching, making it unusable for some R10R21. Notifications are also inconsistent, with some users receiving too many irrelevant alerts and others not receiving severe weather alerts at all R3R13.
KSAT 12 Weather Authority KSAT users experience frequent app crashes, server errors, and the app not opening at all . The radar is often buggy and slow to load . False notifications for rain or lightning are also a problem .
Ads & Monetization edge: WKYT FirstAlert WeatherR1R4R6R9
WKYT FirstAlert Weather WKYT users consistently complain about an excessive number of ads, often interrupting access to weather information or playing before alerts R1R4R6R9. Some find the ads irrelevant or inappropriate .
KSAT 12 Weather Authority KSAT users are highly frustrated by the overwhelming number of ads, which frequently pop up, hijack the screen, or are unskippable R69. Many users report that ads make the app unusable or impossible to view forecasts .
Customer Support & Updates edge: WKYT FirstAlert WeatherR10R21R24R53
WKYT FirstAlert Weather WKYT users report that recent updates have negatively impacted the app's functionality and user experience R21R24R53. One user mentioned contacting support a year ago about glitches with no resolution R10.
KSAT 12 Weather Authority KSAT users overwhelmingly criticize recent updates, stating they have ruined the app, making it less user-friendly and introducing numerous bugs . Users feel developers are offended by negative reviews and do not address issues . There are also complaints about a useless 'Ask Support' button and no replies to emails .
Pick WKYT FirstAlert Weather if

You prioritize a weather app with generally more reliable radar and fewer critical bugs, even if it has frequent ads and some interface quirks R8R11R58. You are looking for a local station's app that provides decent coverage and updates .

Pick KSAT 12 Weather Authority if

You are a long-time fan of KSAT's meteorologists and are hoping for a fix to the current app issues, or if you primarily use their website for weather information .

Evidence note: Both apps are free to download, and the negative reviews for both are heavily skewed towards recent updates, highlighting significant user dissatisfaction with changes to interface, ad frequency, and functionality. KSAT's recent decline in user experience appears more severe and widespread than WKYT's.

Frequently asked

Are these apps free to use?
Yes, both WKYT FirstAlert Weather and KSAT 12 Weather Authority are free to download and use, but they both feature a significant number of ads R1R4R19R69.
Which app has better radar functionality?
WKYT FirstAlert Weather generally has more consistent radar functionality, with users praising its storm tracking and hourly updates, although some report delays or inaccuracies R8R11R30R58. KSAT 12 Weather Authority's radar has been widely criticized after recent updates for being unusable, inaccurate, lacking future projections, and not loading properly .
Do these apps have many ads?
Yes, both WKYT FirstAlert Weather and KSAT 12 Weather Authority are heavily criticized for having too many ads, which often interrupt content, pop up frequently, or make the apps difficult to use R1R4R9R19.

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. [R16] WKYT FirstAlert Weather 1/5 · US Inaccurate Radar: Don’t trust the radar on this one. Very inaccurate in comparison to TWC.
  5. [R2] WKYT FirstAlert Weather 4/5 · US Great weather app: No nonsense info so far the best!
  6. [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.
  7. [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
  8. [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
  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. [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.
  11. [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.
  12. [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.
  13. [R4] WKYT FirstAlert Weather 1/5 · US Ads: So many ads I cannot get to the weather!!
  14. [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!
  15. [R9] WKYT FirstAlert Weather 3/5 · US Too many ads: I want a weather forecast… but am forced to watch irrelevant ads.
  16. [R53] WKYT FirstAlert Weather 1/5 · US Not a weather app anymore.: I used this app for years. Constant problems now since the last update. Going back to WLEX weather app.
  17. [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!
  18. [R69] KSAT 12 Weather Authority 3/5 · US Intrusive Ads: Tried to look at the app today and ads kept popping up hijacking the entire screen. After about 5, I closed the app and am looking for a new weather app.
  19. [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!
  20. [R58] WKYT FirstAlert Weather 5/5 · US Good radar: Good radar info and let’s me know what’s happening

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