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

First Alert 4 Weather vs WMC5 First Alert Weather

First Alert 4 Weather 4.7★ · Free to download 65
Winner WMC5 First Alert Weather
WMC5 First Alert Weather 4.7★ · Free to download 70

WMC5 First Alert Weather (App B) has a slight edge due to slightly better reliability and fewer critical complaints about ads interrupting severe weather coverage, although both apps struggle with ad placement and recent performance issues.

Full reviews: First Alert 4 Weather · WMC5 First Alert Weather

Both First Alert 4 Weather (App A) and WMC5 First Alert Weather (App B) are free, local weather apps with high lifetime ratings, but recent reviews highlight significant issues with ads, app stability, and radar functionality. App B appears to manage ad interruptions slightly better during critical weather events and has fewer reports of complete app failure.

Head to head

Features tieR3R11R23R25
First Alert 4 Weather Users appreciate the relevant weather information and alerts, especially during storms R11R23. However, some desire an allergy forecast R3 or a radar screen showing the entire country . There are also complaints about the inability to set default storm info and cluttered radar overlays R25.
WMC5 First Alert Weather Users find App B comprehensive for weather needs and praise its storm preparation features . Some users miss the previous traffic feature that covered areas beyond Memphis and desire rainfall totals on the hourly forecast . There are also requests for a simpler layout due to too much information .
Ease of Use tieR7R21R24R36
First Alert 4 Weather Some users find App A easy to use and appreciate the ability to receive localized alerts . However, many report issues with the app resetting to the home screen after leaving it R24, difficulty navigating new formats R36, and problems with videos not playing sound R7R21.
WMC5 First Alert Weather App B is praised for its clear radar and information . However, users report that the app is slow to load , videos are confusing to watch , and the layout can be too crowded on smaller screens . Some also dislike the new update's appearance and functionality .
Reliability edge: WMC5 First Alert WeatherR8R15R18R19
First Alert 4 Weather App A has significant reliability issues, with reports of the app breaking every few months R15, crashing randomly R22, radar freezing or going blank R18, and not loading temperatures or radar R15R40. Videos often fail to play R19R22. Alerts for lightning sometimes ignore user settings R8.
WMC5 First Alert Weather App B also faces reliability concerns, with alerts not working or having no verbal notifications since an update . The radar often glitches, freezes, or shows a black screen , and the '24-hour' radar doesn't go the full duration . Videos sometimes don't play . Some users report the app not being available at their location .
Price/Value edge: WMC5 First Alert WeatherR1R6R9R12
First Alert 4 Weather App A is free, but users frequently complain about excessive ads, especially during live severe weather coverage R1R6R9R12. These ads are seen as dangerous and interrupt critical information, leading to frustration and restarts R1R12.
WMC5 First Alert Weather App B is also free. While users complain about scam ads and too many ads cluttering the page , the most severe criticism about ads interrupting live tornado coverage (as seen in App A) is less prevalent. Some users acknowledge ads are for revenue but still find them annoying .
Support tieR4R22R25R40
First Alert 4 Weather Users express frustration that bugs, such as radar issues R40, video playback problems R22, and incorrect temperature readings R4, are not being fixed. Some feel the app has become unusable after updates R25.
WMC5 First Alert Weather Users frequently ask for bug fixes, especially for radar glitches , video playback issues , and alerts not working . There are also requests for updates to support older iPhone models .
Accuracy edge: WMC5 First Alert WeatherR1R4R17R32
First Alert 4 Weather App A receives mixed reviews on accuracy. Some users praise its accuracy R17R32 and the meteorologists . However, others report conflicting information R1, incorrect current temperatures R4, and radar being routinely wrong . One user claims the forecasts are unreliable .
WMC5 First Alert Weather App B is generally considered accurate and its meteorologists are highly trusted . However, some users report current conditions being inaccurate or the app displaying incorrect temperatures . One user even calls the forecast fake .
Pick First Alert 4 Weather if

You prioritize having local meteorologists like Steve Templeton and Kristen and their team's information and are willing to tolerate frequent ad interruptions and occasional app instability.

Pick WMC5 First Alert Weather if

You value highly praised meteorologists like Ron Childers and Spencer for severe weather coverage and prefer an app that, while still having ads, is less criticized for ads interrupting critical live streams.

Evidence note: Both apps are free, and many negative reviews stem from the presence of ads and recent updates causing bugs. The difference in ad complaints during severe weather is a key differentiator, with App A receiving more specific and critical feedback on this point.

Frequently asked

Do these apps have a free version?
Yes, both First Alert 4 Weather and WMC5 First Alert Weather are free to download and use (Free to download).
Are there ads in these weather apps?
Yes, both apps contain ads, with many users complaining about their frequency and placement, especially during critical weather alerts R1R6R9R12.
Do the apps provide severe weather alerts?
Yes, both apps are designed to provide severe weather alerts, with users appreciating the timely notifications for storms and tornadoes R8R14R23R26.
Are there issues with radar functionality?
Yes, both apps have significant complaints regarding radar functionality, including freezing, not loading, displaying incorrect information, or not showing the full 24-hour forecast R1R15R18R22.

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] First Alert 4 Weather 3/5 · US Allergy Forecast: It would be helpful to include an allergy forecast.
  2. [R11] First Alert 4 Weather 5/5 · US Info at my fingertips: This is a great app for relevant weather information at my fingertips.
  3. [R23] First Alert 4 Weather 5/5 · US The Best information: I truly look for what information I get from this thread. I have it set up on my alerts!! So I don’t get caught off guard! Thank you First Alert 4!!! Thanks
  4. [R25] First Alert 4 Weather 1/5 · US What happened?: This use to be my go to weather app, it’s pretty much unusable after the latest update. The overlays are a disaster. I just want to be able to see the radar with overlapping warnings, not a bunch of indicators for lighting. They only clutter the radar. It’s a hot mess.
  5. [R7] First Alert 4 Weather 2/5 · US No sound: The commercial at the beginning has sound. The weather report doesn’t.
  6. [R21] First Alert 4 Weather 3/5 · US Video player is bad: Well you certainly make sure the ads play but when it gets to the vid it doesn’t play any sound.
  7. [R24] First Alert 4 Weather 3/5 · US Good app but has some unfriendly behavior: The app content is good but if you leave the app and come back it resets (shows the ad, good back to app Home Screen) do I can’t just go back to where I was. That’s really annoying.
  8. [R36] First Alert 4 Weather 3/5 · US Still new: It’s just been a week or so that you switched your format over and if longer than that, then that tells you I am not a daily user. That being said, it’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks when it comes to technology. I am sure after more use and getting better acquainted with this new App, it will be fine. I will say, def for now, I liked the visual clarity of the old overview weathe
  9. [R8] First Alert 4 Weather 4/5 · US Extremely useful but some bugs: I do love that it gives me loud alerts to storms but unfortunately even though I turned off alerts to lightning so I could sleep it still gave me the alerts. Hopefully this bug is fixed quickly. .
  10. [R15] First Alert 4 Weather 3/5 · US App breaks every few months: It’s great for trying to keep track of the weather and everything, but every few months the app breaks. It crashes trying to open the daily tracker, the radar, and it won’t load even the temperature.
  11. [R18] First Alert 4 Weather 3/5 · US Not reliable: Pages/Radar freezes and goes blank on my iPhone at critical times. The previous version never did this. And yes, my updates and iPhone are up to date.
  12. [R19] First Alert 4 Weather 2/5 · US No live stream?: Switched to the app since livestream from website no longer works on my phone, and they don’t list any requirements for it. There’s a tornado warning right now, and the latest video on the app is hours old. What’s the point?
  13. [R1] 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.
  14. [R6] First Alert 4 Weather 3/5 · US Bogus: I can never see the video about the weather - there’s always an ad running instead of the storm warning I want/need to see.
  15. [R9] First Alert 4 Weather 3/5 · US Ok: When watching live for tornado warnings, it’s not helpful to bring up ads in the middle of watching to see where it’s at. Not happy
  16. [R12] First Alert 4 Weather 3/5 · US Live stream: It’s great to have a mobile app that live streams severe weather when you’re in the basement, but putting multiple ads on your live stream every 3-5 minutes is not a great idea. people need to know where and when a tornado is going to hit their town in that moment. And the ads also mess up the live stream causing it to go black, causing me to restart the app repeatedly. I know ads br
  17. [R4] First Alert 4 Weather 1/5 · US Not working: Always shows 77* when it’s at least 90* out. Used to be great but it needs looked at now
  18. [R22] First Alert 4 Weather 2/5 · US Buggy: Crashes randomly, radar won’t show up sometimes, videos don’t load half the time, ads on the videos sometimes make the phone crash. I don’t have these problems with any other weather app.
  19. [R40] First Alert 4 Weather 1/5 · US Glitchy at best: Used to love this app, radar feature hasn’t worked since I upgraded my iPhone. It will randomly show blue (snow) on the radar and it’s July.
  20. [R17] First Alert 4 Weather 5/5 · US Good: Vary accurate 🌪️🌩️⛈️🌨️
  21. [R32] First Alert 4 Weather 5/5 · US Weather app: Excellent and accurate weather app, I watch channel everyday and trust there meteorologist.
  22. [R14] First Alert 4 Weather 5/5 · US Period Weather Watcher: I woke up to scary noise from a storm at 4am and went straight for First Alert 4! I was relieved to see that it was just an Alton storm. Which is not unusual because the thunder here is louder in the valley behind the bluff we live on.
  23. [R26] First Alert 4 Weather 5/5 · US Weather alerts: LOVE THIS, ALWAYS W/ ME

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