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

radio.net vs Simple Radio

radio.net 4.7★ · Free to download 60
Winner Simple Radio
Simple Radio 4.7★ · Free + IAP 70

Simple Radio is the better choice for most users due to its wider station selection and generally more stable performance, despite significant issues with ads and premium subscription value.

Full reviews: radio.net · Simple Radio

Simple Radio offers a vast selection of stations and generally stable streaming, making it a popular choice. However, both apps are heavily criticized for intrusive ads, even for paying subscribers, and some users report technical issues like battery drain and freezing.

Head to head

Features & Station Selection edge: Simple RadioR3R14R16R17
radio.net radio.net offers a wide selection of stations, including international ones, and is appreciated as a language learning tool R3R14R17. Some users, however, report missing specific stations or games R16 and repetitive music on certain channels .
Simple Radio Simple Radio is praised for its extensive selection of stations, including those hard to find elsewhere, and its ability to connect users to international broadcasts . Some users wish for features like a radio dial or artist ID .
Ease of Use tieR1R3R4R9
radio.net radio.net is generally considered easy to use R3R17. However, users report issues with non-functional close buttons on ads R1R4, difficulty unsubscribing , and problems with the Apple TV app or CarPlay R9.
Simple Radio Simple Radio is appreciated for its simplicity and clean UI . However, some users find the favorites feature too sensitive, leading to accidental deletions . There are also reports of the app not opening or working with Apple Watch 8 layout issues .
Reliability & Performance tieR3R7R8R13
radio.net radio.net users report significant issues including fast battery drain R3R26, overheating R8, constant freezing/pausing R7, frequent station dropouts , and music not playing R13.
Simple Radio Simple Radio users also experience reliability issues, such as stations cutting out frequently , pausing every minute or two , and requiring a VPN to work in some regions .
Price & Value (Ads) tieR1R4R6R19
radio.net radio.net is heavily criticized for an overwhelming number of pop-up and full-screen ads, often with non-functional close buttons, even immediately upon launch R1R4R6. Crucially, many paying subscribers report still receiving ads, making the subscription seem pointless and a 'scam' R19R24R37R43. Ads also consume significant mobile data .
Simple Radio Simple Radio users are equally frustrated by an excessive number of intrusive ads, including full-page pop-ups that lock out the app and cannot be closed . Many premium subscribers complain about still receiving ads, including local and international ones, despite paying . Some ads are reported to be dangerous, supporting malware and phishing scams R70.
Pick radio.net if

You prioritize a wide international station selection for language learning and are willing to tolerate significant ad interruptions and potential performance issues R14R17.

Pick Simple Radio if

You need access to a very broad range of radio stations, including those hard to find elsewhere, and value a simple interface, even if it means dealing with frequent and intrusive ads .

Evidence note: Both apps suffer from severe criticism regarding ads, even for paid users, which significantly impacts user satisfaction despite generally positive lifetime ratings. The free-vs-paid asymmetry is evident as much of the negativity stems from ad experiences, which paying users expect to be removed.

Frequently asked

Do radio.net and Simple Radio have too many ads?
Yes, both radio.net and Simple Radio are heavily criticized for having too many ads, with users reporting frequent pop-ups, full-screen ads, and even dangerous scam ads that interrupt listening and hinder app usage R1R4R6R70.
Are the premium versions of radio.net and Simple Radio ad-free?
No, many users of both radio.net and Simple Radio report that even after paying for a subscription, they still experience numerous commercials, including local and international ads, leading to frustration and feeling that the subscription is a 'scam' R19R24R37R43.
Do these apps drain battery or cause overheating?
Yes, radio.net users specifically report that the app drains phone battery fast, consuming approximately 4 to 5% per hour, and can cause the phone to overheat after only a few minutes of listening R3R8R26.

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] radio.net 3/5 · US Good app but “Eats” battery: Good application and has a wide selection of stations. Easy to use and good quality. HOWEVER, drains phone battery fast. I use iPhone 17 Ma Pro. In five hours the app had used 39% of the battery. Looking back and similar usage each day. Approx 4 to 5% per hour used. Developers please correct!! If this is corrected would be 5/5 rating.
  2. [R14] radio.net 5/5 · US Language learning tool.: I love using radio.net as a language learning tool. My favorite French station is Ici Paris - pour musique et bonne humeur. After having spent several Summers in Graz, Austria, I enjoy radio Steiermark for keeping up my under standing of the dialecte and enjoying Austrian folk music.
  3. [R16] radio.net 1/5 · US Invisibility: Not all games broadcasted
  4. [R17] radio.net 5/5 · US Awesome app for radio: Easy to use app has most stations has allowed me to listen to great stations from around the world.
  5. [R1] radio.net 2/5 · US Pop up ad nuisance: Allows pop up ads on iPhone that can’t be closed.
  6. [R4] radio.net 1/5 · US Holy ad cancer Batman: Immediately upon first launch I was met with a full screen popup ad with non functional close button. Had to close the app completely to close the ad. Tried a few more times and it was about 50/50 ads vs functional app, then the app asked for a review. So, here I am leaving a one star review.
  7. [R9] radio.net 3/5 · US Apple TV app is not working anymore: Apple TV app is not working anymore. Please fix it.
  8. [R7] radio.net 1/5 · US Straight trash: Constantly freezes/pauses and then gives you a pop-up letting you know your phones been infected with a virus. Shady AF business
  9. [R8] radio.net 4/5 · US Latest update: Now the phone is after 2 mins of listening any station overheating.
  10. [R13] radio.net 1/5 · US Garbage: The music doesn't play when you press the play button, it's completely silent, and some kind of white notification pops up periodically. In general, garbage
  11. [R6] radio.net 3/5 · US Ads are actually in the way: Just installed this app and am trying to figure it out, but every tap is accompanied by yet another full screen ad. Did find one station and it’s playing well so splitting the stars at 3.
  12. [R19] radio.net 1/5 · US Too many commercials: It is a paid service but we still have to endure way too many commercials. What’s the point!
  13. [R70] Simple Radio 1/5 · US Supports illegal phishing scams: They don’t filter their ads, so they include malware and phishing attacks.
  14. [R24] radio.net 3/5 · US Subscription is a deal breaker: I see a lot of reviews from monthly subscribers and they’re getting ads even though they’ve subscribed so what is the subscription price actually for? my primary radio app is myTuner and that was a one time fee and I haven’t heard any ads in over two years.
  15. [R37] radio.net 1/5 · US Upgrade doesn’t work: I have paid to get “commercial-free”. Still am getting commercials
  16. [R43] radio.net 1/5 · US Liars: Liars! I paid for the subscription, and there were 2 minutes and 30 seconds of local commercials, and I couldn't even listen to the station properly. The station plays for 1 minute and 30 seconds, then they cut it off and play local ads. Maybe you don't play your own ads, but you certainly play local ones. You even show more ads than the apps that don't charge anything! How frustrating!
  17. [R26] radio.net 4/5 · US Nice app. Excessive battery drain: New release 5.11.8 quickly draining battery on IPhone ios 26

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