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

First Alert 4 vs HotStock

First Alert 4 4.6★ · Free to download 30
Winner HotStock
HotStock 4.7★ · Free to download 75

HotStock is the better choice for users seeking product restock notifications, despite its premium features, while First Alert 4 struggles with pervasive ad issues and app functionality.

Full reviews: First Alert 4 · HotStock

HotStock effectively notifies users about product restocks, with many successfully purchasing highly sought-after items, though its premium features and auto-buy functionality receive mixed reviews. First Alert 4, a local news app, is plagued by an overwhelming number of intrusive ads, broken notifications, and general app instability following recent updates.

Head to head

Features edge: HotStockR1R3R19R20
First Alert 4 First Alert 4 aims to provide local news, weather, and sports, but users report that custom notifications often don't work, specific stories are hard to find, and the app's content can be outdated R1R3. The app also includes live streams, but these are frequently interrupted by ads R19R20.
HotStock HotStock offers real-time restock notifications and an auto-buy feature for hard-to-find products . Users praise its effectiveness in helping them secure items like the Canon G7X Mark III camera and limited edition gaming consoles . However, the auto-buy feature is inconsistent, with many users reporting it doesn't work as expected, often failing due to low stock or requiring the app to be constantly open R69R73R79.
Ease of Use edge: HotStockR1R3R27R35
First Alert 4 First Alert 4 users report significant usability issues, including the app resetting to the top of the feed after reading a story, difficulty finding content, and an inability to share stories R1R3R27. The new update has made the app harder to navigate, with condensed and unreadable fonts R35.
HotStock HotStock is generally considered easy to use for setting up alerts . However, some users find the free version restrictive, only allowing one item to be tracked . The auto-buy feature, when it works, is described as easy to set up, but it often requires the app to remain open .
Reliability edge: HotStockR1R6R7R13
First Alert 4 First Alert 4 suffers from numerous reliability problems. Notifications frequently don't work or send irrelevant alerts R1R7. Videos often don't play, or the wrong video is shown R6. Many users report that the app crashes or gets stuck on ads, making it unusable R13.
HotStock HotStock's core notification feature is largely reliable, with many users successfully receiving timely alerts that lead to purchases . However, the auto-buy feature is frequently unreliable, often failing to secure items even when available R69R71R73R79. Some users also report receiving false notifications or alerts that are too late .
Price/Value edge: HotStockR6R9R12R16
First Alert 4 First Alert 4 is free to download, but users find its value severely diminished by an overwhelming number of intrusive, auto-playing, and often loud ads R6R9R12R16. Many feel the ads prioritize advertisers over news content, especially during critical weather events R19R20.
HotStock HotStock is free to download, but its free tier is very limited, often only allowing one item to be tracked or providing delayed notifications . Many users feel the premium subscription is necessary to get timely alerts and use the auto-buy feature, which costs $10.99 monthly R63R71R73R77. While some find the premium worth it for securing rare items, others feel it's a waste of money due to the auto-buy feature's unreliability R71.
Support tieR1R4R7R11
First Alert 4 First Alert 4 users frequently plead for fixes to the app's numerous issues, such as broken notifications and ad problems, indicating a lack of effective support or responsiveness to user feedback R1R4R7R11.
HotStock HotStock users report difficulty getting support, with some stating they received no reply after emailing about issues like connecting accounts or adding new items to track R77.
Pick First Alert 4 if

You are a loyal KMOV Channel 4 viewer and are willing to tolerate significant app issues, including excessive ads and broken features, to access their news content R7.

Pick HotStock if

You are actively trying to purchase a specific, hard-to-find product and are willing to pay for a premium subscription to receive timely restock notifications and potentially use an auto-buy feature .

Evidence note: First Alert 4's reviews are overwhelmingly negative and recent, focusing on a bad update, while HotStock has a mix of positive and negative reviews, with many positive ones specifically mentioning success in getting a Canon G7X Mark III camera.

Frequently asked

Does First Alert 4 have too many ads?
Yes, First Alert 4 is widely criticized for having too many ads, which are often auto-playing, loud, and interrupt the news content, making the app frustrating and difficult to use R6R9R12R16.
Is HotStock's auto-buy feature reliable?
HotStock's auto-buy feature is inconsistent; while some users report success, many others find it unreliable, often failing to purchase items due to low stock or requiring the app to be constantly open R69R71R73R79.
How much does HotStock Premium cost?
HotStock Premium costs $10.99 per month for features like earlier notifications and the auto-buy option, which many users feel is necessary for effectively tracking and purchasing high-demand products R63R71R73R77.

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. [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.
  4. [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.
  5. [R27] First Alert 4 2/5 · US Don’t like the refresh: Used to love the app. Now you can’t share stories and all advertising before you can look at anything.
  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. [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.
  8. [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!
  9. [R13] First Alert 4 1/5 · US TERRIBLE APP SINCE UPDATED: WHEN TRYING TO READ A NOTIFICATION WITH NEWS IT OPENS UP CONSTANTLY THAT MY PHONE IS RESTRICTED AND HACKED BECAUSE I VISITED MANY ADULT WEBSITES. HAVE NEVER DONE ANY OF THAT EVER!!! IT WON’T LET ME GO TO ANY OF THE NEWS STORIES. GETTING REALLY FRUSTRATED AND THINKING I MIGHT HAVE TO DELETE THIS APP IF IT CANT BE STOPPED.
  10. [R9] First Alert 4 3/5 · US Stop autoplaying videos with sound: The content is good, but I really wish there was an option to either 1) stop autoplaying videos, or 2) at least have them be muted when they do. I actually hate opening this app because it’s so obnoxious and disrupts everything I’m doing. I still do, because I want to see the content, but I don’t enjoy it.
  11. [R12] First Alert 4 3/5 · US Do not like the latest version: I've been using the KMOV App for several years now and I don’t appreciate being forced to listen to ads while reading the stories because there is no pause or volume control. I could care less how Peter Pan feels about AAA. I used to love this app, now I’m not as inclined to use it. 🥺
  12. [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.
  13. [R4] First Alert 4 1/5 · US App not reading correctly: Please fix the app
  14. [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.
  15. [R69] HotStock 1/5 · US Doesn’t actually work: Paid for the membership and everytime the item stocks it can’t auto buy for me and sells out. What a waste
  16. [R71] HotStock 1/5 · US Don’t waste your money: Tried this app and wasted $10.99 for the monthly service. Not once has it worked. Save your money and try something else. This is a waste of time and money.
  17. [R73] HotStock 1/5 · US Waste of Money - Premium Does not work: Don’t waste your time or money on the premium service! I purchased this app thinking I could use it to AutoBuy Pokemon cards and other electronics that I wanted that are in high demand. I paid $10.99 and it was NOT worth it. Every time something becomes available it says the autobuy feature was not able to purchase because of low stock. Isn’t that the reason
  18. [R79] HotStock 2/5 · US Don’t pay for the auto buy: 4 weeks and it’s got me absolutely nothing. It’s trash for target and always needs you to sign back in mid restock. It can’t get a single thing on Amazon always says “low stock unable to buy” yet I was able to buy it myself. It does alert me before my Reddit group but that’s about all it’s worth.
  19. [R63] HotStock 3/5 · US Premium but not getting 10 alerts: Can anyone explain why I am a premium customer paying monthly and my subscription is up-to-date. I’m only allowed 9 alerts not 10.
  20. [R77] HotStock 1/5 · US Doesn’t work and inexistent CS: I bought their upgraded auto buy membership and it never allowed me to connect my Best Buy account. I reached out to their email and sent to with no reply from them. I will be doing a charge back with my bank. I do not recommend you purchase their services because you don’t actually get anything.

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