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

First Alert 4 vs NewsBreak

First Alert 4 4.6★ · Free to download 30
Winner NewsBreak
NewsBreak 4.8★ · Free to download 65

NewsBreak is the better choice for general news aggregation due to its broader content and higher user satisfaction, despite issues with AI content and ads, while First Alert 4 struggles with significant app functionality problems and an overwhelming number of intrusive ads.

Full reviews: First Alert 4 · NewsBreak

NewsBreak, with a lifetime rating of 4.78, offers a wide range of news and local crime maps, though users report issues with AI-generated content and frequent ads. First Alert 4, rated 4.56, is plagued by numerous app bugs, non-functional notifications, and an excessive amount of autoplaying, unskippable ads, making it difficult to access content.

Head to head

Features edge: NewsBreakR1R3R5R7
First Alert 4 First Alert 4 users appreciate specific local shows like 'Great Day St. Louis' and local news anchors R5R8. However, many users report that core features like custom notifications and alerts do not work R1R7R18R38. Some also complain about the inability to find stories mentioned on TV R3 and the app not displaying previous newscasts .
NewsBreak NewsBreak is praised for its ability to find local crimes and provide crime maps . Users also like its quick and accurate updates and the ability to scroll headlines and read short articles . However, some users note that the crime map can be inaccurate or misleading , and the news reporting can be slow .
Ease of Use edge: NewsBreakR1R33R35R40
First Alert 4 First Alert 4 users widely report that the app is difficult to navigate, especially after recent updates R40. Issues include being taken back to the top of a story list after reading R1, difficulty closing ads R33, and problems with font size and readability R35.
NewsBreak NewsBreak generally offers a straightforward experience for reading news . However, some users find the 'swipe back' feature too sensitive, leading to accidental exits from articles or comments . There are also complaints about the app hardly ever loading or showing a blank white screen .
Reliability edge: NewsBreakR1R6R7R11
First Alert 4 First Alert 4 has significant reliability issues, with users reporting that notifications do not work R1R7R18R38, stories do not load R6, and videos do not play . The app is also described as getting worse over time R1 and not functioning properly on Android TV after updates R11.
NewsBreak NewsBreak users experience issues with the app loading, often displaying a blank white screen . Some users report that saved content does not return after updates . There are also complaints about GIFs not working after updates .
Price/Value tieR10R16R19R21
First Alert 4 First Alert 4 is free, but users feel the value is diminished by an overwhelming number of intrusive ads R16R19R21. Many users indicate they are ready to delete the app due to the ad experience R10R25.
NewsBreak NewsBreak is also free, but users complain about an excessive amount of ads, some of which are described as scams or fake R92. Some users feel forced to pay for a 'Premium' plan to avoid these ads .
Content Quality tieR5R8R10R20
First Alert 4 First Alert 4 provides local news, weather, and sports, with some users enjoying specific local shows R5R8R20. However, users complain about clickbait headlines R10, old stories , and a lack of coverage for certain areas like Illinois . There are also reports of video titles not matching the content .
NewsBreak NewsBreak offers a wide range of news, including local crime . However, a significant number of users criticize the content for being full of AI-generated articles and videos R72R79R92R106, misleading headlines , and a strong political bias towards far-right views R61R79R87R90. Some feel it's more like a tabloid than legitimate news .
Pick First Alert 4 if

you are a loyal viewer of KMOV Channel 4 and specifically want to follow their local anchors and shows, and are willing to tolerate significant app issues and numerous ads R5R8.

Pick NewsBreak if

you are looking for a broad news aggregator with a focus on local crime information and are comfortable sifting through AI-generated content and frequent ads .

Evidence note: Reviews for First Alert 4 are heavily skewed negative, particularly after recent updates, focusing on app functionality and ads. NewsBreak has a much larger volume of reviews, with a mix of positive feedback on local news and crime maps, but also strong negative sentiment regarding AI content, political bias, and intrusive ads.

Frequently asked

Are there many ads in First Alert 4?
Yes, First Alert 4 is heavily criticized for having too many ads, including autoplaying videos with sound, ads that interrupt critical news like weather, and full-page ads that appear upon opening the app and are difficult to close R16R19R21R25.
Does NewsBreak use AI content?
Yes, many NewsBreak users report that the app is full of AI-generated content, including poorly written articles, videos, and even comments, which some find deceptive and untrustworthy R72R79R92R106.
Are notifications reliable on First Alert 4?
No, many users report that notifications and alerts on First Alert 4 are unreliable; custom notifications do not work as expected, and some users receive no updates or alerts at all R1R7R18R38.
Is NewsBreak politically biased?
Several NewsBreak users perceive a strong political bias, describing the app as a "far-right echo chamber" that favors stories from conservative sources and contains comments from what appear to be AI bots espousing specific political talking points R61R79R87R90.

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. [R1] First Alert 4 1/5 · US App needs work: Many things wrong with this app, once you click a story towards the end of the “top stories”, and you’re finished reading and click back, the app always takes you to the very top - losing where you previously were. The custom notifications don’t work. I have “breaking news” only checked, but I receive notifications of the cardinals minor league team’s results. Please fix!!! This
  2. [R3] First Alert 4 3/5 · US App: Whenever I hear you say that more of the story is on their app, I cannot find it. No amount of scrolling or search words work.
  3. [R5] First Alert 4 5/5 · US Great Day St. Louis Rocks!!!: I thoroughly enjoy this show because it is not bad or sad news. It is educational, fun team to watch, I love to know about events, tips & tricks, good news, dining recommendations, & hear about the cast opinions or they share their wkd. plans. The cast is so humble. In order to enjoy my show Great Day St. Louis) & me time, I try to have my phone on silenced mode.
  4. [R7] First Alert 4 2/5 · US Bring back the old one: Prefer the old one better. Do not get updates or notifications, have been through my settings, have re installed too. I am die hard Channel 4 fan a not being able to notifications and getting other outlets before I get it front here … is upsetting. I have always trusted this source. If this can be fixed please assist. Thank you!
  5. [R33] First Alert 4 1/5 · US New App KMOV: The new app is horrible. You have to close an ad and tap on the small banner to even open it versus it just opening from your phone icon. In addition, there is no way to turn off the volume or remove the automatic live feed that now comes on with every story. Too many ads! Very annoying that the ads blares at you the minute you open a story.
  6. [R35] First Alert 4 1/5 · US Longtime user, first time reviewer: The current, recently updated version is horrible! Font size of headlines unreadable and not editable. More and larger size ads than actual news. Stay in your lane. I may have to go back to KSDK or Fox2Now.
  7. [R40] First Alert 4 1/5 · US Update: This new update to your app stinks. From the opening, which isn’t easy to get rid of the ad, thanks a bunch by the way, to the new layout. Have you heard the phrase, “ If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it “ ? Well, it wasn’t broke, so fix it, and put it back the way it was
  8. [R6] First Alert 4 3/5 · US Needs slight improvements: There needs to an auto play option so you can opt out. Have the option to automatically playing videos or when I can just read the story. There’s a glitch where the stories I clicked to read or watch don’t come on. A bunch of advertisements come on and never show the story I clicked on.
  9. [R11] First Alert 4 4/5 · US Please fix support for Android TV: Since the October 24 update, my Android TV app does not work properly anymore. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
  10. [R10] First Alert 4 1/5 · US Clickbait headlines: I get it you want clicks. But every single news alert is clickbait. “Memphis Grizzlies player dies” is as example of an inappropriate time for click bait. Deleting the app.
  11. [R16] First Alert 4 1/5 · US Too Many Ads!: … on auto play and loud af, when you close one ad, another takes its place. Back to KSDK.
  12. [R19] First Alert 4 1/5 · US Greed putting people at risk: Multiple, constant ads during a dangerous severe weather outbreak is ridiculous. Having to sit through a thirty second commercial of anything before getting to the livestream to find out if you need to be in the basement is a crazy thought and it should be illegal.
  13. [R21] First Alert 4 1/5 · US Annoying: The ads are distracting,annoying and useless. Stick to news,weather and sports
  14. [R8] First Alert 4 5/5 · US 5 & 6 news: I am very impressed with Morgan & Cameron filling in for Sam & Corey. They are just great together. Need to team them up to anchor a nightly news cast.
  15. [R20] First Alert 4 3/5 · US Ads interrupting vital wx news: First, this app is so useful!! But…please, please, please sort out disabling ads when we are in an emergency weather situation. If my power is out and I’m relying on the app to get the broadcast, 60 seconds wasted on a toilet paper ad could make a life or death difference.
  16. [R25] First Alert 4 1/5 · US Ready to delete: Ads starts automatically Don’t care for
  17. [R72] NewsBreak 3/5 · US Ehhh: It’s too much ai
  18. [R79] NewsBreak 1/5 · US Chock full of AI, Trumpsters & Basic Features No Longer Work: Title says it all. 99.99% of all videos on this app are made with AI and intended to deceive. Since their main audience is senile Trumpster seniors, near everyone on the app is inherently incapable of differentiating between whats genuine/real and whats not. Moreover, these ppl will bet their first born child in order to defend these v
  19. [R92] NewsBreak 1/5 · US Positive feedback is false: Full of ads, uses AI in their ads and doesn’t show any crime or danger on my map.
  20. [R106] NewsBreak 1/5 · US Untrustworthy, toxic, AI trash: This app is trash. You can be anyone and post news, and 90% of it is very poorly written articles with made up nonsense. This is also where cringy AI videos go to die. FLOODED with horrible cringy AI videos and pictures. The community is a cesspool of intolerance, hate, and insulting opinions. And it doesn’t matter where you put your location for news. You’ll get no
  21. [R18] First Alert 4 3/5 · US Alerts Don’t Work Lately…: Since the February 2026 updates on iOS 26, the alert notification(s) (the number at the top, right, of app or folder it’s contained in) doesn’t go away after reading the article or alert. It’s very annoying!
  22. [R38] First Alert 4 1/5 · US Horrible!!!: This new app is the worst! Absolutely horrible! I’ve enabled alerts and have received none. Ads, ads and more ads! It won’t allow me to give 0 stars. Horrible app!
  23. [R61] NewsBreak 1/5 · US Mostly Magats: How many trumpers does it take to screw in a light bulb? None, Trumps yells he did it and everyone claps on the dark!
  24. [R87] NewsBreak 3/5 · US A far-right echo chamber: NewsBreak is largely an echo chamber for far right conspiracy theories and disinformation. The app seems to favor stories from such well documented far-right sources such as FoxNews, the New York Post, Washington Examiner, News Max etc. There is no fact checking. Comments on the stories also seem to come from AI bots as they are uniformly espousing the current regi
  25. [R90] NewsBreak 2/5 · US Bias: No matter what I block no matter what I report this still try’s to shove liberal news down your throat when you just want the news not libs opinions of the news.

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