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

radio.net vs Radio FM

radio.net 4.7★ · Free to download 55
Winner Radio FM
Radio FM 4.6★ · Free to download 60

Radio FM has a slight edge over radio.net due to fewer critical issues reported by users, despite both apps struggling significantly with excessive advertisements.

Full reviews: radio.net · Radio FM

Both radio.net and Radio FM are free radio streaming apps plagued by an overwhelming number of ads, with many users reporting that even paid subscriptions don't eliminate them. While radio.net faces issues like battery drain and frequent disconnections, Radio FM struggles with login bugs and stations not being found, but its core streaming functionality appears slightly more reliable.

Head to head

Features & Station Selection tieR3R5R9R14
radio.net radio.net offers a wide selection of stations, including international options, and is appreciated as a language learning tool. However, some users report missing specific stations or finding limited content within certain genres, and the Apple TV app is noted as not working.
Radio FM Radio FM also provides a wide variety of stations, with users appreciating the ability to find local and international content. However, some users report difficulty finding specific stations, and issues with station reliability and an unorganized station list are mentioned.
Ease of Use & Interface tieR1R4R6R13
radio.net radio.net is generally considered easy to use, with a straightforward interface. However, the user experience is severely hampered by intrusive full-screen ads that often have non-functional close buttons, making it difficult to navigate or even start listening.
Radio FM Radio FM is described as easy to use by some, but many users report significant usability issues due to excessive pop-up ads that prevent interaction with the app. Difficulties in changing stations and an unorganized station list also detract from the user experience.
Reliability & Performance edge: Radio FMR3R7R8R13
radio.net radio.net suffers from frequent issues including constant freezing, pausing, stations dropping out, and music not playing. Users also report significant battery drain, phone overheating, and CarPlay app malfunctions.
Radio FM Radio FM experiences reliability problems such as stations constantly pausing, the app shutting down when the screen locks, and freezing. Some users also report the app not opening at all or crashing after closing ads.
Price & Value (Free vs. Paid) tieR1R4R6R18
radio.net radio.net is free to download but heavily monetizes through ads, which users find excessive and intrusive. Many paying subscribers report still encountering numerous ads, leading to frustration and questioning the value of the subscription.
Radio FM Radio FM is also free to download but is criticized for an overwhelming number of ads, which some users describe as malware-like. Subscribers report that paying for the app does not remove these embedded ads, making the subscription feel like a waste of money.
Support & Updates tieR3R8R9R31
radio.net Users report issues like the Apple TV app not working and battery drain, with calls for developers to correct these problems. There's also a review mentioning a recent update causing phone overheating.
Radio FM Some users report that the app has improved after updates, specifically mentioning a fix for an account registration issue. However, other users note that the app has gotten worse with updates, particularly regarding increased advertising and station functionality.
Pick radio.net if

Pick radio.net if you prioritize a wide selection of international stations for specific purposes like language learning, and are willing to tolerate significant ad interruptions and potential performance issues R14.

Pick Radio FM if

Pick Radio FM if you need a free radio app that generally works on older devices and integrates well with Bluetooth speakers, and you are prepared to deal with numerous ads and some login or station finding frustrations .

Evidence note: Both apps have a high volume of negative reviews centered around excessive and unavoidable advertisements, even for paying users. The distinction between free and paid experience is blurred by these persistent ad issues. Many reviews are recent, indicating a decline in user satisfaction for both apps.

Frequently asked

Do these apps have a lot of ads?
Yes, both radio.net and Radio FM are heavily criticized for an overwhelming number of intrusive ads, including full-screen pop-ups and video ads, which significantly disrupt the user experience R1R4R6R61.
Does paying for these apps remove ads?
No, many users of both radio.net and Radio FM report that even after paying for a subscription, they still encounter numerous commercials and ads, leading to frustration and a feeling of being scammed R19R24R37R43.
Do these apps drain battery or cause overheating?
radio.net users specifically report that the app drains phone battery quickly, using approximately 4 to 5% per hour, and can cause the phone to overheat after only a couple of minutes of listening R3R8R26.
Are there issues with app stability or stations cutting out?
Yes, both apps have stability issues; radio.net users report constant freezing, pausing, and stations dropping out frequently, while Radio FM users experience stations pausing, the app shutting down when the screen locks, and general freezing R7R15R36R75.

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. [R5] radio.net 5/5 · US Radio net: Great way to hear different stations
  3. [R9] radio.net 3/5 · US Apple TV app is not working anymore: Apple TV app is not working anymore. Please fix it.
  4. [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.
  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. [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.
  8. [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
  9. [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
  10. [R8] radio.net 4/5 · US Latest update: Now the phone is after 2 mins of listening any station overheating.
  11. [R18] radio.net 3/5 · US Frustrated: To many commercials
  12. [R31] radio.net 1/5 · US Buggy: Pauses for no reason when I go to certain Facebook pages. CarPlay app doesn’t load after a few uses and the app has to be reinstalled. Been going on for months.
  13. [R61] Radio FM 1/5 · US Excessive forced ads: Excessive Ads & pop-ups destroyed this app. Cannot minimize window preventing the listener from conducting simultaneous activities on other apps. Oh! Did I mention the ads are Excessive preventing music from playing.
  14. [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!
  15. [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.
  16. [R37] radio.net 1/5 · US Upgrade doesn’t work: I have paid to get “commercial-free”. Still am getting commercials
  17. [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!
  18. [R26] radio.net 4/5 · US Nice app. Excessive battery drain: New release 5.11.8 quickly draining battery on IPhone ios 26
  19. [R15] radio.net 3/5 · US Stations drops out frequently during the game: Stinks keeps dropping and u have to restart
  20. [R36] radio.net 3/5 · GB Poor signal: Internet connections cuts out on regular basis, so much sometimes you just go to another station. Cant enjoy music, gets very frustrating. Fix that and nuff people would be locked.
  21. [R75] Radio FM 3/5 · US App is “okay” and has issues: Would be a great app if they could fix issues. For one, it is difficult to change stations. If I am listening to one station and try to listen to another, it simply plays the existing station and I have to click on the new one several time before it actually changes. Second, some of the stations are unreliable and constantly pause during the middle of a song. And last

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