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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

14FirstAlert Weather TriState vs First Alert 4 Weather

14FirstAlert Weather TriState 4.7★ · Free to download 60
Winner First Alert 4 Weather
First Alert 4 Weather 4.7★ · Free to download 65

Both 14FirstAlert Weather TriState and First Alert 4 Weather struggle with an excessive number of ads and app stability issues, but First Alert 4 Weather has a slight edge due to more consistent positive feedback on its meteorologists and alert system.

Full reviews: 14FirstAlert Weather TriState · First Alert 4 Weather

Both 14FirstAlert Weather TriState and First Alert 4 Weather are free weather apps plagued by frequent ads and performance issues, which often hinder access to critical weather information. While users appreciate the local forecasts and severe weather alerts from both, First Alert 4 Weather receives more praise for its meteorologists and overall reliability despite its flaws.

Head to head

Features and Information Accuracy tieR1R4R10R11
14FirstAlert Weather TriState Users appreciate 14FirstAlert Weather TriState for its hourly and daily forecasts, tornado notifications, and the ability to pause and manipulate radar R11R14R32. However, many users report issues with radar functionality, including it not working often, being too slow, or showing inaccurate data R4R10R16. Some also dislike recent format changes and the removal of features like future radar R1.
First Alert 4 Weather First Alert 4 Weather is valued for its accurate weather information, severe weather alerts, and the expertise of its meteorologists . However, a significant number of users report that the radar is routinely wrong, freezes, or doesn't show up R61. Some also note conflicting information and a lack of sound on weather videos R61.
Ease of Use and User Interface tieR1R26R39R40
14FirstAlert Weather TriState Some users find 14FirstAlert Weather TriState easy to use with a good layout . However, many complain about a new format being difficult to figure out R1, cluttered appearance R40, and frustrating panel navigation R39. There are also requests for features like an iOS widget R26.
First Alert 4 Weather First Alert 4 Weather is described as easy to use and simple by some . Conversely, users report issues with the app resetting, making it hard to return to previous sections , and a cluttered interface with poor visibility of information . Recent format changes have also been met with resistance .
Reliability and Performance tieR6R9R12R16
14FirstAlert Weather TriState 14FirstAlert Weather TriState users frequently report issues with the app not loading, crashing, or freezing R9R12R16. Live feeds sometimes fail during severe weather R6R22.
First Alert 4 Weather First Alert 4 Weather also suffers from significant reliability problems, including frequent crashes, freezing, videos not loading, and the app being slow to open . Some users mention the app breaking every few months .
Ads and Monetization tieR7R19R22R23
14FirstAlert Weather TriState A major complaint for 14FirstAlert Weather TriState is the overwhelming number of pop-up ads, which often hinder access to information, especially during severe weather R7R19R22R23. Users find the ads annoying, sometimes inappropriate, and potentially dangerous by delaying critical information R19R28R59.
First Alert 4 Weather First Alert 4 Weather users are highly critical of the excessive ads, particularly during live severe weather coverage R61. Many feel that ads interrupt crucial alerts and videos, making the app dangerous and frustrating R61.
Alerts and Notifications edge: First Alert 4 WeatherR3R11R14R18
14FirstAlert Weather TriState 14FirstAlert Weather TriState is praised for its timely and accurate tornado and storm notifications R11R14R32. However, some users complain about receiving too many alerts for non-severe weather or for areas outside their immediate location R18. The siren alert sound is also described as annoying R3.
First Alert 4 Weather First Alert 4 Weather is highly valued for its loud and effective severe weather alerts and warnings . However, some users report receiving unwanted notifications for non-severe weather, even when settings are adjusted .
Pick 14FirstAlert Weather TriState if

you are an existing user who prefers the Channel 14 meteorologists and can tolerate the ads and occasional glitches for its specific radar features .

Pick First Alert 4 Weather if

you prioritize strong severe weather alerts and appreciate the KMOV 4Warn Team's meteorologists, and are willing to navigate through ads and occasional app instability .

Evidence note: Both apps are free, and much of the negativity stems from the user experience with ads, which is common for free services. The volume of reviews is substantial for both, providing a balanced view of user satisfaction and frustration.

Frequently asked

Do these apps have a lot of ads?
Yes, both 14FirstAlert Weather TriState and First Alert 4 Weather are heavily criticized for having too many ads, which often pop up during critical severe weather updates and hinder access to information R7R28R59R61.
Are the weather forecasts accurate?
Users have mixed opinions on accuracy for both apps; 14FirstAlert Weather TriState receives praise for its daily forecasts and tornado notifications R14R32, but also complaints about inaccurate local forecasts and radar R4R10. First Alert 4 Weather is generally seen as accurate by many , though some users find its radar and predictions unreliable R61.
Do these apps have performance issues?
Yes, both apps frequently experience performance issues; 14FirstAlert Weather TriState users report the app not loading, crashing, or freezing R9R24R25R30, while First Alert 4 Weather users also complain about frequent crashes, slow loading times, and videos not playing .

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] 14FirstAlert Weather TriState 1/5 · US New Format: I DO NOT like this new format, when my phone upgraded, it changed it. I prefer the old STYLE Much Better !! This new one is too difficult to fiqure out !!!!
  2. [R4] 14FirstAlert Weather TriState 2/5 · US If ypu live near the ohio river do not expect an accurate forcast: I use the WFIE First Alert Weather app regularly because I want a reliable local source, but the overall experience has become increasingly difficult to deal with. I live in 47714, and the weather never matches where I live. I would appreciate money being invested into equipment that would allow localized neighborhood weather. Don'
  3. [R10] 14FirstAlert Weather TriState 1/5 · US Never accurate weather: We need Mike Blake back at least his reporting was correct.
  4. [R11] 14FirstAlert Weather TriState 5/5 · US Love it: I love this app it’s so good and it tells me when there’s a tornado
  5. [R26] 14FirstAlert Weather TriState 4/5 · US Widget option for IOS: I enjoy using this weather app, the only think I would like to see different is the ability to have a widget on your IOS device such as how the weather app works. Would that be an improvement you all would look in to?
  6. [R39] 14FirstAlert Weather TriState 3/5 · US Good but panels are frustrating: I have set the map as my default panel and just about every time I load the app the Headlines panel comes up as my default. Then I have to swipe through 4 or 5 panels to get to the map. I think your map is better than the Weather Channel app, but the panels are an absolute pain. I would give it 5 stars if the default panels starts working again or make the app like
  7. [R40] 14FirstAlert Weather TriState 2/5 · US Riddled with junk ads: I really want to like this app, but it’s extremely touchy with freeze ups and annoying pop-up ads. Very cluttered looking too, with the live feed buried towards the bottom. You’re trying to focus on protecting yourself and your family from incoming violent storms, and you have to deal with it, unfortunately. You know that iPhone game that you want love, but it’s just impossi
  8. [R6] 14FirstAlert Weather TriState 3/5 · US Live feeds: Couldn’t get the weather live feeds on this app during all the tornado warnings yesterday.
  9. [R9] 14FirstAlert Weather TriState 3/5 · US App won’t open anymore...: Have had the app for several years and have always loved it. Not sure what has happened but, it just gives me the “boot” screen w/the spinning wheel of death, and never opens. Have rebooted my phone and even deleted and re-downloaded app to no avail
  10. [R12] 14FirstAlert Weather TriState 3/5 · US App: Sometimes it doesn’t load. Same with the news app. Just letting you know. I have a new phone and it’s updated. Other than that it’s good.
  11. [R16] 14FirstAlert Weather TriState 1/5 · US Current local data will not load: I have tried several options, Wi-Fi, cellular, change of location. The current weather info will not load. :(
  12. [R7] 14FirstAlert Weather TriState 1/5 · US Ads: Way too many pop up ads to get to the info in the site & then continued adds while trying to navigate from one city to another.
  13. [R19] 14FirstAlert Weather TriState 1/5 · US Ads are gross: This used to be my go-to weather app but I had to stop using it for the ridiculous and sometimes disgusting advertisements. Most of the time they weren’t even promoting a product, just vaguely describing a misinformed life hack meant as clickbait for who-knows-what. I remember one that said to pour alcohol into your air vents. The one that made me uninstall had dust mites crawling o
  14. [R22] 14FirstAlert Weather TriState 1/5 · US First alert Severe Weather: Phone says to check the app for upcoming severe weather and I go to it and there’s sound for commercial, but none for the alert! Not a very good app if it’s main focus is on making $$, but not alerting folks about weather
  15. [R23] 14FirstAlert Weather TriState 4/5 · US Ads: Love this app!! I wish the ads would turn off during severe weather events. Yesterday we had tornadoes everywhere and I couldn’t get the app to load past the very first screen with the vehicle add.
  16. [R3] 14FirstAlert Weather TriState 3/5 · US Siren alert!: This sound is SO ANNOYING! Please change it
  17. [R14] 14FirstAlert Weather TriState 5/5 · US 14FirstAlert: 14FirstAlert Is always telling me what exactly the temperature is and is always notifying me for tornados, snow and storms
  18. [R18] 14FirstAlert Weather TriState 3/5 · US Crying Wolf!: Goes off too often for no reason. Live in Evansville, but get alerts for possible rain in Owensboro. Also, get upset when the only alert is to watch the forecast to see what the weather might be (usually early in the morning)!
  19. [R28] 14FirstAlert Weather TriState 1/5 · US Too Many Adds that could cost your life: This isn’t the weather app, this is a app that makes 14 news money from all their adds. Please do not install, it will one day cost everything you love, Smothering your eyes with the same five adds back to back before you can get somewhere safe in time or to see the next wave of storms coming. I assure you this “weather app” will not protect you or the ones
  20. [R59] 14FirstAlert Weather TriState 2/5 · US Too many ads: There are too many ads. Last week we had tornadoes in our area. All we had was our phones and this app during a power outage. When we open the app to see updates, warnings, or live feed we have to watch an ad! I feel that a weather app that is sometimes your only way to get updates in a dangerous situation, there shouldn’t be any ads playing! If no ads, I would give a 5 star review a
  21. [R61] First Alert 4 Weather 2/5 · US Conflicting information, ad prioritized: Could literally be dangerous in bad weather that the advertising sponsor takes up the entire screen so long. (Duh, just have the ad at the top or bottom of the screen continuously.) And regular future radar and 24-hr radar conflict, even in the supposed current status.
  22. [R32] 14FirstAlert Weather TriState 5/5 · US 14 Weather App: I love this app. Always up to real time. You get alarms if there are storms coming in your area or near by you can see the radar just like your watching tv. Alerts sound for not just storms but high humidity, pollen, tornado warnings or just a beautiful day ahead good for cutting grass. You can plan your day out if you need a umbrella, a jacket whatever the case may be. I’ve watche
  23. [R24] 14FirstAlert Weather TriState 3/5 · US Load time: It’s taking longer and longer to load and open up that sometimes I just close it and not try until the next day. Really irritated
  24. [R25] 14FirstAlert Weather TriState 2/5 · US App crashes often: Open app. Wait for add. Open daily weather. App crashes. Open app. Wait for add. Open hourly weather. App crashes. All I want to know is the local weather and all I get is an advertisement and the app crashing. If I die in a tornado, it will likely be because I was either sitting through an advertisement or restating the app after it crashed.
  25. [R30] 14FirstAlert Weather TriState 3/5 · US Latest update crashes: App crashed on newest iOS when watching radar during latest storm.

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