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

WBTV First Alert Weather vs WBRC First Alert Weather

WBTV First Alert Weather 4.7★ · Free to download 60
Winner WBRC First Alert Weather
WBRC First Alert Weather 4.8★ · Free to download 65

WBRC First Alert Weather has a slight edge over WBTV First Alert Weather due to more consistent praise for its accuracy and a slightly better user experience, despite both apps suffering from significant ad clutter and recent performance issues.

Full reviews: WBTV First Alert Weather · WBRC First Alert Weather

Both WBTV First Alert Weather and WBRC First Alert Weather are free, local weather apps that provide radar and forecasts, but both are heavily criticized for excessive ads and recent bugs. WBRC gains a slight lead due to more users finding its information accurate and its team reliable, even with its own set of technical issues.

Head to head

Features tieR1R3R7R15
WBTV First Alert Weather WBTV users appreciate the app for current radar information and alerts, but some miss older features like broader traffic maps and the ability to overlay alerts on radar R1R3R7. Users also desire a home screen widget and more frequent updates to match TV broadcasts R15R17.
WBRC First Alert Weather WBRC users value the app for quick updates, live streaming, and the ability to see temps globally . However, recent updates have removed the ability to zoom to location, caused issues with the 'Follow Me' mode, and made live streaming unreliable . Users also request an iOS widget .
Ease of Use tieR4R6R10R18
WBTV First Alert Weather Many WBTV users find the app cluttered with ads and pop-up videos, which interrupt usage and make it difficult to access critical information quickly R4R6R10R24. The latest update is criticized for a less readable landing page, auto-playing videos, and small print R18.
WBRC First Alert Weather WBRC users also report the app is too busy, slow to navigate, and filled with ads that make it almost unusable . Ads frequently interrupt videos and forecasts, with some lasting a minute or more R76. Recent updates have made the app less user-friendly and harder to understand .
Reliability tieR1R7R8R13
WBTV First Alert Weather WBTV users report frequent crashing, freezing radar displays, and glitches R1R8R13R19. The radar is sometimes incorrect or doesn't load, and alerts may not overlap with radar views R7R35. Some users also note inconsistencies between app and TV forecasts .
WBRC First Alert Weather WBRC also faces reliability issues, with reports of the app crashing upon opening, radar failing to load or freezing, and videos not playing . Users experience delays in weather warnings compared to other apps and find the radar inaccurate at times . Location services can also be faulty, showing incorrect locations .
Accuracy edge: WBRC First Alert WeatherR2R5R11R12
WBTV First Alert Weather WBTV is praised by some for being accurate and reliable, especially for the Charlotte NC area R2R5R11R12. However, other users report inaccurate weather information, including incorrect radar and forecasts R35R55.
WBRC First Alert Weather WBRC receives strong praise for its accurate and up-to-date weather reports, with many users considering it their go-to app and even life-saving . Despite this, a significant number of users criticize its accuracy, especially the radar, which sometimes shows rain when it's sunny or vice-versa, and inconsistent daily/hourly forecasts .
Price/Value tieR4R12R16R24
WBTV First Alert Weather WBTV is free to download, but many users express willingness to pay for an ad-free experience, especially given the excessive and intrusive ads that hinder access to critical weather information R4R12R16R24.
WBRC First Alert Weather WBRC is also free to download, but users are highly frustrated by the overwhelming number of ads, including unskippable ones, which they feel diminish the app's value and make it unusable, especially during emergencies R76. Some users note that the ad situation has worsened over time R76.
Support tieR7R22R63R66
WBTV First Alert Weather One WBTV user reported contacting WBTV about a persistent bug with the daily/weekly forecast jumping to another page, but the issue remained unresolved R22. Another user hoped a radar issue was user error and asked for guidance R7.
WBRC First Alert Weather WBRC users report issues with notification settings not working, leading to unwanted alerts R63R66. There's also a comment about a user's review being deleted when criticizing ads .
Pick WBTV First Alert Weather if

You are primarily interested in weather for the Charlotte, NC area and value local reporting, and you are willing to tolerate frequent ads and occasional app glitches R12R17.

Pick WBRC First Alert Weather if

You prioritize generally accurate weather information and a reliable local weather team, even if it means dealing with significant ad interruptions and some recent app bugs .

Evidence note: Both apps are free, and much of the negativity stems from ad-related friction and recent app updates causing bugs. WBRC has a higher lifetime rating and more ratings, suggesting a broader base of satisfied users despite recent complaints.

Frequently asked

Are WBTV and WBRC weather apps free?
Yes, both WBTV First Alert Weather and WBRC First Alert Weather are free to download and use, though both are heavily criticized for an overwhelming number of ads that hinder the user experience R12R16R24R76.
Do these apps have issues with ads?
Yes, both apps are severely criticized for an excessive number of intrusive ads, including pop-up videos and unskippable commercials, which frequently interrupt users, especially during critical weather alerts, making the apps difficult or unusable R4R10R25R30.
Are the weather forecasts accurate on these apps?
Users have mixed experiences with accuracy for both apps; WBTV is praised by some for being accurate in the Charlotte area but others report incorrect radar and inconsistent forecasts R12R17R35R55, while WBRC is widely lauded for its accuracy and reliable team, though some users find its radar and forecasts to be off at times .
Do the apps have technical problems?
Both apps suffer from significant technical problems, with WBTV users reporting frequent crashing, freezing radar, and glitches R1R8R13R19, and WBRC users experiencing app crashes, radar loading issues, freezing, 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] WBTV First Alert Weather 1/5 · US WBTV Weather application: This is a very disappointing app. It only gives me 10 seconds and then it locks up. However,I do use it for current radar information.
  2. [R3] WBTV First Alert Weather 3/5 · US Traffic: The newest version is not as good as the one a few months ago. You use to be able to toggle and see traffic anywhere in NC. Now it only covers around Charlotte. Very disappointing. Especially for people who travel around areas other than Charlotte. Please go back to the old traffic maps!
  3. [R7] WBTV First Alert Weather 1/5 · US Alerts with storm overlay?: Did you get rid of the ability to look at alerts (like a tornado warning) overlapping the radar? It seems I now have to choose between either viewing alerts or the storm systems themselves with no option to do both at the same time. Really hoping this is a user error and if so, let me know so I can change my review.
  4. [R15] WBTV First Alert Weather 3/5 · US Widget: Like the App wish you could add a widget to your Home Screen showing the location weather.
  5. [R4] WBTV First Alert Weather 1/5 · US Severe Thunderstorms: My favorite is telling you there is a severe thunderstorm and to take cover but then make you watch ads before you can see the affected area. Good times.
  6. [R6] WBTV First Alert Weather 3/5 · US Good app with an annoying bug: I don’t know why all of these apps seem to be designed to interrupt you all the time. There is a page that shows current weather stories that keeps popping up without request and I keep having to navigate away from it. Really tired of the interruption culture app developers have embraced.
  7. [R10] WBTV First Alert Weather 1/5 · US Videos: Get rid of the stupid pop up videos!!!! If I want to watch a video I’ll click on the **** thing!!!
  8. [R18] WBTV First Alert Weather 3/5 · US Was 5 stars, now 3: This latest update is a BIG disappointment. The landing page used to be compact and easily readable. I could look at current conditions that included Dew Point & Humidity. It no longer shows Dew Point. Video is running as you scroll down the page, which means reduced battery life. Will probably start looking for a replacement. And what’s with the duration of the ad splash page
  9. [R8] WBTV First Alert Weather 4/5 · US 24 hour radar freezes: For some time the 24-hour radar display freezes about half way through the timeframe. This happens on IPhone 13 and new iPhone 16.
  10. [R13] WBTV First Alert Weather 1/5 · US App crashing: I never used to have a problem with your app But now it never hardly works. It is always crashing and never displays the temperature or anything like that even when I’m changing locations and reinstall your app you need to fix your application. It used to work now. It does not work anymore.
  11. [R2] WBTV First Alert Weather 5/5 · US Yes: Very good weather
  12. [R5] WBTV First Alert Weather 5/5 · US This app is the best it can’t stop telling me there’s is going to be rain but thank you WBTV ALERT: I love this app
  13. [R11] WBTV First Alert Weather 5/5 · US Weather: Thanks for constantly keeping me informed.
  14. [R12] WBTV First Alert Weather 3/5 · US Take my money!: This app is the most accurate if you want to know the weather forecast for Charlotte NC area, but I would gladly pay for a less cluttered ad-free experience.
  15. [R16] WBTV First Alert Weather 1/5 · US Ads Galore: Ridiculous amount of ads on the app. Deleted immediately after downloading it.
  16. [R24] WBTV First Alert Weather 3/5 · US Too many ads: The app’s effectiveness is diminished by the ads that appear before the features can be viewed. In an urgent weather situation, one does not want to wade through so many ads. Could the ads display with the requested page?
  17. [R22] WBTV First Alert Weather 1/5 · US Weather App: For a long time, there has been a problem with the app. When you try to look at the daily, weekly, etc on the home page, it jumps to another page. I tried it on another person’s phone, & it did the same thing. I contacted someone at WBTV a long time ago, but it is still doing the same thing. I have been forced to use another app besides the WBTV app because of this. I really wish
  18. [R63] WBRC First Alert Weather 3/5 · US Weather Alert Notifications: Being able to check on the weather when I want to & see the predicted weather is helpful. What isn’t helpful is hearing the loud weather alert notifications at all hours of the day, that I already turned off. The settings are useless. I may just delete the app.
  19. [R66] WBRC First Alert Weather 3/5 · US “Weather update”Notifications: I am tired , once again, of this app waking me up to tell me that there is a weather update in the app. Geesh, wake me up if a F5 tornado is barreling down on me but I have looked everywhere in the app to find where to turn that annoying announcement off. Can’t find, so I deleted the app this morning.
  20. [R76] WBRC First Alert Weather 1/5 · US Pay walls and Ads: WBRC used to provide minimal ads and paywalls, but now the Birmingham area could be overrun by terrirists while being blown away by a tornado during a minus 100 degree weather system before you can get to the news and weather. I’m done!
  21. [R25] WBTV First Alert Weather 1/5 · US Remove ads for accessing critical weather updates: Whenever there is a tornado warning, you are made to watch an advertisement BEFORE being able to access or get critical updates on the timing of the tornado.
  22. [R30] WBTV First Alert Weather 3/5 · US Ads make it hard to use during a weather emergency: During last tornado warnings when I was trying to get in a safe place I had to fight with ads to find out what was going on. At this point the ads are so encompassing they’ve rendered the video portion unusable but we do look at the hourly/daily and radar part of the app.
  23. [R17] WBTV First Alert Weather 4/5 · US Weather forecast: I very much appreciate and enjoy this app having used it for several years now since it became available. Have always depended upon WBTV for most dependable and accurate news and forecast. One improvement I suggest is to have more frequent weather updates and forecast. As of late there’s too much time between updates. Thanks.
  24. [R35] WBTV First Alert Weather 5/5 · US Incorrect radar: For the last few weeks the radar on my iPhone has been incorrect while it is correct at the same time on my iPad. What can I do to correct this?
  25. [R55] WBTV First Alert Weather 1/5 · US Really bad app: Used to be good. WBT needs to learn how to keep their hands off pf something that works. Do yourself a favor and get something else. At this moment I am riding the a thunderstorm and no clouds on radar. Permanent deletion. Y’all can go screw yourselves, don’t do it to me.
  26. [R19] WBTV First Alert Weather 2/5 · US Constant glitching: Every time I open the app and go to check the Radar or Hour to Hour weather, my screen glitches to a wall of text until I return to the home tab and select what I was originally going to look at.

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