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

WBTV First Alert Weather vs WWBT First Alert Weather

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

Both WBTV First Alert Weather and WWBT First Alert Weather struggle with frequent ads and performance issues, but WWBT has a slight edge due to fewer severe complaints about radar inaccuracy and app crashing.

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

Both WBTV First Alert Weather and WWBT First Alert Weather are free apps that provide local weather information, but both are heavily criticized for excessive ads and various technical glitches. While WBTV faces more consistent complaints about radar issues and app stability, WWBT also has its share of performance problems and ad-related frustrations.

Head to head

Features and Information Accuracy tieR3R7R18R35
WBTV First Alert Weather Users appreciate WBTV for its accurate and reliable weather forecasts and radar, with some calling it the 'best darn weather station' . However, recent updates have removed useful features like past and future radar options, dew point, and comprehensive traffic maps R3R7R18. Some users also report inaccurate radar data and a lack of frequent updates R35R40.
WWBT First Alert Weather WWBT is generally praised for providing fast, up-to-date, and accurate weather information for the Richmond area . However, several users report the radar being 'wildly inaccurate' or glitchy, especially during actual weather events . Some also miss features like barometric pressure, dew point, and landscape view for iPad .
Ease of Use and User Experience tieR4R6R10R16
WBTV First Alert Weather WBTV users are frustrated by constant pop-up videos and ads that interrupt navigation and delay access to critical weather information R4R6R10R16. The app is described as cluttered, with small print, and a redesigned landing page that requires excessive scrolling R18. Some also report issues with the app jumping to other pages or not loading correctly R19R29.
WWBT First Alert Weather WWBT also receives significant criticism for an 'ad overkill' and pop-up commercials that make it difficult to access weather information, especially during emergencies R73. Recent updates have changed the layout, making navigation difficult and the radar map too busy . Users also complain about videos being rushed and not thorough enough .
Reliability and Performance tieR1R8R13R19
WBTV First Alert Weather WBTV users frequently report the app freezing, crashing, or not loading properly R1R8R13R19. Specific issues include the 24-hour radar freezing halfway through and the app becoming unusable due to glitches R1R8R19R29. Some users note that the app used to work well but recent updates have introduced instability R13.
WWBT First Alert Weather WWBT also has performance issues, with users reporting the app freezing, crashing, or being slow and 'wonky' . The radar is particularly problematic, often flashing, jerking, or not loading correctly . Some users have to reinstall the app frequently to resolve issues .
Alerts and Notifications tieR4R5R11R25
WBTV First Alert Weather WBTV is appreciated for its constant and informative alerts, keeping users informed about weather changes R5R11. However, some users are frustrated by ads appearing before they can view critical weather alerts like tornado warnings R4R25. There are also requests for more customizable alert sounds .
WWBT First Alert Weather WWBT users value the timely and informative alerts, especially during severe weather . However, like WBTV, users are highly critical of having to watch ads before accessing crucial warning information . One user found the number of voice alerts excessive, leading them to turn off notifications . There are also complaints about receiving alerts for incorrect locations .
Pick WBTV First Alert Weather if

you prioritize a local weather app that, despite its flaws, is considered accurate by many long-term users and you are primarily interested in the Charlotte, NC area R12.

Pick WWBT First Alert Weather if

you need a local weather app for the Richmond, VA area and are willing to tolerate ads and occasional glitches for generally reliable and fast weather updates .

Evidence note: Both apps are free, which explains the high volume of complaints regarding ads and performance issues from a broad user base. Reviews for both apps show similar patterns of frustration with ads and technical problems, making a clear distinction difficult in some dimensions.

Frequently asked

Are these apps free to use?
Yes, both WBTV First Alert Weather and WWBT First Alert Weather are free to download and use, which contributes to the frequent presence of advertisements within the apps R12R16R24R73.
Do these apps have a lot of ads?
Yes, both apps are heavily criticized for having too many advertisements, including pop-up videos and ads that appear before critical weather information, which users find disruptive and frustrating R4R10R16R25.
Are the radar features reliable?
Users of both apps report significant issues with radar reliability; WBTV users mention freezing and incorrect radar displays R8R29R35R40, while WWBT users frequently complain about the radar being inaccurate, glitchy, or flashing .

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] 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!
  2. [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.
  3. [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
  4. [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?
  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. [R16] WBTV First Alert Weather 1/5 · US Ads Galore: Ridiculous amount of ads on the app. Deleted immediately after downloading it.
  9. [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.
  10. [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.
  11. [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.
  12. [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.
  13. [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
  14. [R11] WBTV First Alert Weather 5/5 · US Weather: Thanks for constantly keeping me informed.
  15. [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.
  16. [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.
  17. [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?
  18. [R73] WWBT First Alert Weather 1/5 · US Ad Overkill: I would love the app were it not for the home page being filled with half a page of ugly advertisements for sagging skin, dementia, yeah, I’m no spring chicken, but I don’t want to be looking at that stuff just trying to get my weather forecast for the day! I feel like we’re back in the 90s with web pages filled with stupid advertisements. :(
  19. [R29] WBTV First Alert Weather 5/5 · US App won’t load correctly: In the last month this app has been horrible! If you check the radar once, it won’t load again until you clear it out completely and restart it. It doesn’t load the radar future in a seamless manner, it is very slow and stutters. PLEASE FIX THE ISSUES
  20. [R40] WBTV First Alert Weather 2/5 · US Radar: Your radar doesn’t show what’s happening half of the time correctly. Hope you will fix. I thought 3 was on our side

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