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

WMC5 First Alert Weather vs WSMV 4 FIRST ALERT Weather

WMC5 First Alert Weather 4.7★ · Free to download 65
Winner WMC5 First Alert Weather
WSMV 4 FIRST ALERT Weather 4.7★ · Free to download 60

WMC5 First Alert Weather has a slight edge due to its slightly higher lifetime rating and more frequent praise for its severe weather coverage, despite both apps suffering from similar recent performance issues and ad complaints.

Full reviews: WMC5 First Alert Weather · WSMV 4 FIRST ALERT Weather

Both WMC5 First Alert Weather and WSMV 4 FIRST ALERT Weather are free, local weather apps with high lifetime ratings, but recent updates have introduced significant bugs, radar issues, and an increase in ads for both. WMC5 is praised for its severe weather alerts and coverage, while WSMV is noted for its local radar accuracy, though both struggle with notification spam and app stability.

Head to head

Features and Functionality tieR1R2R4R5
WMC5 First Alert Weather Users appreciate WMC5 for its comprehensive weather information and effective storm preparation features R2R5R11. However, recent updates have introduced significant problems, including non-functional verbal notifications and alerts R1, ruined radar options R4R7, and issues with the 24-hour radar not displaying fully or lagging R6. Some users also report the app not working in their location or displaying a black radar screen . Video playback issues are also noted . The traffic feature, once a favorite, now only works for Memphis .
WSMV 4 FIRST ALERT Weather WSMV 4 is praised for its accurate and up-to-date radar and its ability to provide timely alerts . However, recent changes have made the radar too fast, making it difficult to study . Many users report the app being buggy, freezing, crashing, or jumping around . Some find the layout cluttered and difficult to navigate , with a new 'stories' format disliked by some who prefer hourly and daily lists . The app also has issues with location accuracy for alerts and videos being outdated .
Alerts and Accuracy edge: WMC5 First Alert WeatherR2R8R11R14
WMC5 First Alert Weather WMC5 is highly regarded for its ability to keep families safe with timely and effective storm alerts, particularly during severe weather events R2R8R11R14. Users appreciate the detailed, minute-by-minute coverage and verbal alerts . However, some users find the number of alerts excessive, wanting only severe weather notifications R24. There are also complaints about alerts not being for the user's actual location and some inaccuracies in current conditions .
WSMV 4 FIRST ALERT Weather WSMV 4 is praised for its accurate weather information and timely alerts, with some users stating it provides warnings before the official weather service . The local weather team is considered knowledgeable . However, a significant number of users find the notifications to be spammy and excessive, receiving alerts for non-weather-related items or general information . There are also reports of inaccurate rain/lightning alerts when there's no actual weather and inconsistencies between the app's forecast and what meteorologists say on TV .
Ease of Use and Reliability tieR12R13R21R30
WMC5 First Alert Weather WMC5 users have experienced a decline in ease of use and reliability following recent updates. Issues include the app being slow R12, glitchy radar R21, crashing when changing radar settings , and requiring cancellation and reopening for forecasts . Some users find the layout too crowded R30 and dislike the new look R13. Despite these issues, some users still find it easy to use and a 'go-to' app .
WSMV 4 FIRST ALERT Weather WSMV 4 also faces significant reliability challenges, with users reporting the app freezing , crashing , and radar not working frequently . Navigation is a common complaint, with users finding it difficult to return to the home screen and accidentally collapsing pages . The app is described as clunky and slow to load . Some users also report persistent Bluetooth connection requests .
Ads and User Experience edge: WMC5 First Alert WeatherR3R12R19R27
WMC5 First Alert Weather A major complaint for WMC5 is the prevalence of fraudulent and scam ads R3, with users feeling the app is just an 'advertising opportunity' R19. Ads are described as cluttering the page R27 and causing delays R12.
WSMV 4 FIRST ALERT Weather WSMV 4 users are highly frustrated by the surplus of ads, which are described as ruining the app experience . Ads are often unskippable, block content, and appear upon opening the app, delaying access to critical information during severe weather . Some ads are even described as 'scare-ware' . Users express a willingness to pay to remove ads .
Pick WMC5 First Alert Weather if

You prioritize comprehensive and timely severe weather coverage, especially verbal alerts during storms . You are in the Memphis viewing area and appreciate local meteorologists .

Pick WSMV 4 FIRST ALERT Weather if

You value highly accurate local radar and timely alerts for general weather conditions . You appreciate local news and meteorologists from the Nashville area .

Evidence note: Both apps are free to download, and much of the negativity for both stems from recent updates introducing bugs and an increase in ads. The lifetime ratings are very close, indicating that historically both have been well-received, but recent user experiences are more negative.

Frequently asked

Do WMC5 First Alert Weather and WSMV 4 FIRST ALERT Weather have free tiers?
Yes, both WMC5 First Alert Weather and WSMV 4 FIRST ALERT Weather are free to download and use (Free to download).
Are there many ads in these weather apps?
Yes, both apps are heavily criticized for having too many ads, which can be fraudulent, clutter the screen, and delay access to information R3R12R19R27.
Are the weather alerts reliable and accurate for these apps?
WMC5 is praised for its reliable and timely severe weather alerts and coverage, often keeping families safe during storms R2R8R11, though some users report too many general alerts and occasional inaccuracies R24. WSMV 4 is also noted for accurate weather information and timely alerts, sometimes even before official warnings , but many users find its notifications excessive and spammy, with some inaccuracies .
Do these apps have issues with their radar functionality?
Yes, both apps have significant radar issues; WMC5 users report non-functional alerts on the map, lag, ruined radar options, and the 24-hour radar not going full length or glitching R1R4R6R7, while WSMV 4 users find the radar too fast to study and frequently not working .

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] WMC5 First Alert Weather 2/5 · US Alerts don’t work!!!!: Since the last update, I do not get any verbal notifications. Also, when you go to turn alerts on the map none of them show up. There’s a lag even though the app is connected to the Internet just needs to be fixed. I’ve used this app for more than 10 years and now it’s barely functional.
  2. [R2] WMC5 First Alert Weather 5/5 · US The best app ever: This is the best app ever on my phone I love how y’all prepared for storms like tornadoes and severe thunderstorms, which we just had them on Monday and Tuesday not very much on Monday but a lot on Tuesday, please make more videos. I really wanna see what’s happening and I live in Memphis so yeah
  3. [R4] WMC5 First Alert Weather 1/5 · US Update ruined radar: This app used to be great but the update has ruined the radar options.
  4. [R5] WMC5 First Alert Weather 5/5 · US So good: This app has everything you need for the weather
  5. [R8] WMC5 First Alert Weather 5/5 · US Keeps me alerted: The first alert weather keeps my family safe from the storm
  6. [R11] WMC5 First Alert Weather 5/5 · US Weather: I love this app! It keeps my family safe and helps us plan.
  7. [R14] WMC5 First Alert Weather 5/5 · US Snow day: Kept us updated on snow
  8. [R12] WMC5 First Alert Weather 3/5 · US Slow: Very slow waiting for it you want make sure we see the advertisement I don’t like that think I will use WREG
  9. [R13] WMC5 First Alert Weather 2/5 · US Disappointed: Not happy with new upgrade. Don’t fix what’s not broken! I had it set, don’t like the way it looks
  10. [R21] WMC5 First Alert Weather 3/5 · US Radar Glitching: Please fix the radar it is very inconsistent at times
  11. [R30] WMC5 First Alert Weather 3/5 · US Too much!: Too much info crowded onto iPhone screen. Prefer a simpler layout.
  12. [R3] WMC5 First Alert Weather 3/5 · US Accurate weather; Scam ads: The accuracy of the weather forecast on this app is good, but the whole app is covered in fraudulent, scam ads.
  13. [R19] WMC5 First Alert Weather 1/5 · US Advertising Opportunity: Just another opportunity for revenue for the TV Station.
  14. [R27] WMC5 First Alert Weather 3/5 · US Ads: Way too many ads cluttering the page.
  15. [R24] WMC5 First Alert Weather 3/5 · US Too many alerts: I liked this app better when we only got alerts for bad weather. All day long this thing sends me alerts. It’s too much. I just want bad weather alerts.
  16. [R6] WMC5 First Alert Weather 3/5 · US That is not 24 hours: Why can the “24 hour” radar only go halfway on the bar before the radar stops
  17. [R7] WMC5 First Alert Weather 2/5 · US Radar needs improvement: The old radar system was a lot more user friendly and easier to understand new update is not good

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