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

97.5 The Fanatic vs Fanatics

97.5 The Fanatic 4.7★ · Free to download 40
Winner Tie
Fanatics 4.9★ · Free to download 50

For users seeking a reliable sports radio streaming experience, 97.5 The Fanatic struggles with app stability and excessive ads, while Fanatics offers a broader range of sports-related services, including merchandise and betting, but faces significant criticism for customer service and product quality.

Full reviews: 97.5 The Fanatic · Fanatics

97.5 The Fanatic is a free app for streaming Philadelphia sports radio, but users frequently report app crashes, constant ad interruptions, and issues with live playback. Fanatics, also free, is a comprehensive platform for sports merchandise, betting, and trading cards, though it struggles with shipping delays, poor customer service, and perceived 'rigged' games.

Head to head

App Reliability & Performance tieR1R9R10R12
97.5 The Fanatic Users of 97.5 The Fanatic frequently report that the app freezes, crashes, and stops playing audio, requiring constant restarts R1R9R10. Some also mention issues with the play button not working or the app auto-playing unexpectedly R12.
Fanatics Fanatics users report issues with the app, including pictures not loading, search functionality not working, and problems with the wishlist feature . Some also experience login errors and difficulties using payment methods like Apple Pay .
Content & Features edge: FanaticsR2R3R5R6
97.5 The Fanatic 97.5 The Fanatic offers live streaming of Philadelphia sports radio, with users enjoying specific shows and personalities R2R5. However, many complain about the lack of on-demand content for past shows, although some recent updates seem to have addressed this R11R15R59. Some users also express dissatisfaction with the current lineup of hosts and perceived lack of in-depth analysis R3R6.
Fanatics Fanatics provides a platform for purchasing sports merchandise, participating in sports betting, and engaging with trading cards . Users appreciate the selection and promotions, but many criticize the 'Fancash Shuffle' and daily spin games as rigged and a waste of time R75R76R78R82.
Ads & Monetization tieR4R7R9R12
97.5 The Fanatic A major point of frustration for 97.5 The Fanatic users is the excessive and repetitive advertising R4R7. Ads often play at startup, interrupt live broadcasts, and restart every time the app is opened or playback resumes R4R7R9R12.
Fanatics Fanatics offers promotions like 'Fancash' and daily games, but many users feel these are scams or rigged, leading to frustration R75R76R78R82. There are also complaints about shipping costs and the inability to get free shipping for smaller orders .
Customer Service & Support tieR30R32R46R50
97.5 The Fanatic Reviews for 97.5 The Fanatic do not directly address customer service, but the recurring complaints about app performance suggest a lack of responsiveness to user issues R30R32R46R50.
Fanatics Fanatics receives significant criticism for its customer service, with users reporting long wait times, unhelpful virtual support, and difficulty getting information about delayed orders or issues R64R70.
Product Quality & Delivery (Fanatics only) edge: FanaticsR64R66R69R70
97.5 The Fanatic Not applicable, as 97.5 The Fanatic is a radio streaming app.
Fanatics Fanatics users frequently complain about long shipping delays, items being out of stock after purchase, and poor merchandise quality R64R66R69R70. Some report receiving flawed sizing or designs, or items that wear out quickly R70.
Pick 97.5 The Fanatic if

You are a dedicated fan of 97.5 The Fanatic's specific Philadelphia sports radio shows and personalities, and are willing to tolerate frequent app glitches and excessive ads to listen live R2R5.

Pick Fanatics if

You are looking for a wide selection of sports merchandise, betting options, or trading cards, and are comfortable navigating potential issues with shipping, customer service, and the perceived fairness of in-app games .

Evidence note: The two apps serve very different purposes, making direct feature-for-feature comparison difficult. 97.5 The Fanatic's reviews heavily focus on app performance and ad experience, while Fanatics' reviews are dominated by merchandise quality, shipping, and gambling features. Both apps are free to download, and their negative reviews reflect common frustrations with free apps (ads) and e-commerce platforms (shipping, customer service).

Frequently asked

Does 97.5 The Fanatic app have on-demand content?
Initially, many users complained about the lack of on-demand content for past shows, wishing it had functionality similar to other radio apps R11R15. However, a user update indicates that the app now includes on-demand and download functionality R59.
Are the games on Fanatics fair?
Many Fanatics users express strong dissatisfaction with the in-app games, particularly the 'Fancash Shuffle' and daily spins, frequently calling them rigged and a waste of time, as they consistently result in 'try again tomorrow' outcomes R75R76R78R82.
What are common complaints about Fanatics merchandise?
Common complaints about Fanatics merchandise include long shipping delays, items being out of stock after purchase, poor material quality, flawed sizing or designs, and items wearing out quickly R64R66R69R70.

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] 97.5 The Fanatic 2/5 · US Bad app: Freezes constantly
  2. [R9] 97.5 The Fanatic 3/5 · US Frustrating app: I love being able to stream 97.5 during work so I don’t miss anything and am not always able to have a radio. My biggest complaint is that that app constantly restarts itself while listening. Repetitively I must hear Mikey Miss repeat his commercial like as if I were first opening the app. Its not a connectivity problem with the phone. It does it on wifi or the phones data. Its th
  3. [R10] 97.5 The Fanatic 1/5 · US Operation: The sound stops playing if you exit the app.
  4. [R12] 97.5 The Fanatic 3/5 · US Good, but not optimal: 1. The iOS app will start playing automatically when the phone wakes, even if it’s not in the foreground. I unlocked my phone this morning and opened Facebook, and I hear Missanelli’s commercial start blaring. Not connected to my car or anything else, and the app hadn’t been used in 12+ hours. 2. It would be great to put a cookie or refresh token in. As it is, the commerci
  5. [R2] 97.5 The Fanatic 5/5 · US Great Philly sports radio show: Ray dunne great producer. Bring back Mike again tho
  6. [R3] 97.5 The Fanatic 3/5 · US Not enough info: The moderators are on for only about 4 hrs per day, yet many don’t seem to be up on current events, and often don’t provide much in the way of insights or specifics. Then, go off half cocked based on a lack of real facts, or technical understanding of the specifics. It’s basically laziness and no interest in becoming fully knowledgeable.
  7. [R5] 97.5 The Fanatic 5/5 · US These folks know sports: Love the afternoon shows. Unfiltered is number 1!
  8. [R6] 97.5 The Fanatic 3/5 · US Country club: This station needs more melanin talking about primarily melanated players. Or at least some people who sound like they’re legitimately from Philadelphia. I’d reach out to TOP BILLIN. No one breaks down football better. The station has become the mens golf lounge at the cricket club. At what point do we break athletes down to shucking and jiving. Get some frigging seasoning on this st
  9. [R4] 97.5 The Fanatic 1/5 · US Ads: An ad to start each time so I can then listen to the ads every 10 minutes on the show and if I don’t want to listen to them and put on music and go back I then have to listen to another ad.
  10. [R7] 97.5 The Fanatic 1/5 · US Long commercials: All of sudden started cutting off from content and playing long commercials and sneaking them in during a commercial break have to stop and restart to get back to live radio
  11. [R30] 97.5 The Fanatic 1/5 · US Poor Performance: App works less than 50% of the time. Devs should be ashamed on connection speed, download content reliability and just overall performance. An intern at Temple could do better.
  12. [R32] 97.5 The Fanatic 1/5 · US Keeps crashing: The app keeps closing, no matter if it’s on Wi-Fi or data. It’s most annoying thing ever. I’ve been complaining about this for months let’s get this together guys.
  13. [R46] 97.5 The Fanatic 2/5 · US Frustrating Playback Issues: The app has some seriously frustrating playback issues. This also make it a little hazardous when driving. And this has been a regular occurrence for the past few years. I really don’t understand why they don’t or can’t fix this. I am a daily listener and this app is how I listen to 97.5. There are regular problems getting the radio stream to start. There also seems
  14. [R50] 97.5 The Fanatic 1/5 · US Worst app. Full of glitches: This app creator hates people. They won’t fix anything
  15. [R64] Fanatics 1/5 · US Fanatics is Trash: Everything you buy has month long waits. All star jersey will not arrive until after the game has been played. Purchased a helmet it says delayed and to contact support. Virtual support only now says since it’s within the original window I have to wait until August to hope to get my item. I just want my money back. I really wish fanatics didn’t hold a monopoly on sports memorabi
  16. [R66] Fanatics 3/5 · US Inventory: Out of the good stuff
  17. [R69] Fanatics 3/5 · US Ok: Stock doesn’t seem to keep updated on site
  18. [R70] Fanatics 1/5 · US Terrible customer service: All Knicks merchandise has been flawed sizing and designs. $200 bucks There’s a reason they don’t allow reviews. Too boot my Knicks hat just got delayed another month no notifications. Do better
  19. [R11] 97.5 The Fanatic 5/5 · US 97.5: I love the shows but wish the app made every show available on demand like Wip does
  20. [R15] 97.5 The Fanatic 3/5 · US Where Are All The Interviews?: Last one is in early December if 2016...c'mon man!!
  21. [R59] 97.5 The Fanatic 4/5 · US Where is the on demand?: Why does the new 93.3 WMMR app have on demand functionality (even download capability on top of that), and the 97.5 app doesn't? Please tell me tell me an update is coming extremely soon that brings this functionality to the 97.5 app. 8/7 update: Looks like this app now has the on demand/download functionality. Thank you.
  22. [R75] Fanatics 3/5 · US Fans: Cap A letter man
  23. [R76] Fanatics 1/5 · US The fancash shuffle is a waste of time: I’ve probably spent over 100k on fanatics/Sportsbook you would think I’d maybe win maybe a dollar or something at least I’ve used it as long as it’s been available and I never win anything on spins I must be the worlds most unluckiest guy or fanatics is just wasting our time.
  24. [R78] Fanatics 1/5 · US Fancash Shuffle Is Not Fun: If youre going to have that promo you need to have people win more. And change the spinner so that the amount of “try again tomorrows” is proportional to your actual chance. The wheel will speed up or slow down depending where it started - always so you dont win. Additionally, if it ends on “try again tomorrow” it should start there the next day. The fact that only 1 sp
  25. [R82] Fanatics 1/5 · US Terrible: Spin the wheel gives you nothing but try again tomorrow. I’ve gotten try again tomorrow everyday for a month straight. It’s rigged

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