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

9 StormTrack vs KCRG-TV9 First Alert Weather

9 StormTrack 4.6★ · Free to download 45
Winner KCRG-TV9 First Alert Weather
KCRG-TV9 First Alert Weather 4.6★ · Free to download 55

For users prioritizing local weather accuracy and a less ad-intrusive experience, KCRG-TV9 First Alert Weather has a slight edge, despite its own ad issues and occasional radar glitches.

Full reviews: 9 StormTrack · KCRG-TV9 First Alert Weather

Both 9 StormTrack and KCRG-TV9 First Alert Weather are free weather apps from local news stations, plagued by frequent ads and technical issues. KCRG-TV9 generally offers more reliable local weather and radar, while 9 StormTrack struggles significantly with location accuracy and app stability.

Head to head

Features edge: KCRG-TV9 First Alert WeatherR14R24R26R30
9 StormTrack Users appreciate 9 StormTrack's radar for tracking storms and its hourly forecasts including wind details . Some find the radar imaging with bold colors easy to see R14. However, many complain about the radar not loading or playing, being inaccurate, or freezing R24R26R30. There are also requests for widgets and better iPad optimization .
KCRG-TV9 First Alert Weather KCRG-TV9 First Alert Weather is praised for its accurate forecasts and detailed hourly information, including humidity, wind, and chance of rain . Its radar is a key feature, though many users report it freezing, not refreshing, or being slow to load . Some users miss the old radar view and live stream functionality .
Ease of Use edge: KCRG-TV9 First Alert WeatherR1R7R9R10
9 StormTrack Many 9 StormTrack users struggle with setting their local area, frequently reporting the app defaulting to Wisconsin or other incorrect states R1R7R9R11. The app is also described as glitchy, locking up, crashing, or failing to open R10R31. Some find the screens too small .
KCRG-TV9 First Alert Weather KCRG-TV9 First Alert Weather users report issues with the app being sluggish, freezing, or not opening after updates . Many find the constant video ads annoying, especially when trying to get quick information . Some users also find the new radar interface less intuitive .
Reliability edge: KCRG-TV9 First Alert WeatherR2R4R6R10
9 StormTrack 9 StormTrack's accuracy is highly inconsistent, with some users calling it "hundred percent accurate" for the wrong area or "always right on time" R2R19R27, while others state it's "at most 15% correct" and "very inaccurate" R4R26. A major issue is the app's frequent failure to open, freezing, or crashing R10R31. Notifications are also problematic, either not showing issues or being excessive R6R28.
KCRG-TV9 First Alert Weather KCRG-TV9 First Alert Weather is generally considered accurate by many users . However, some report inconsistent forecasts, especially regarding rain percentages . The app suffers from reliability issues with its radar freezing or not loading and the app itself being sluggish or failing to open after updates . Notification issues include getting too many general updates despite strict settings, and a lack of advisory options .
Price/Value tieR3R5R17R32
9 StormTrack As a free app, 9 StormTrack's value is diminished by an overwhelming number of intrusive ads, including full-page pop-ups and forced videos, which users find frustrating and lead them to delete the app R3R5R17R32.
KCRG-TV9 First Alert Weather KCRG-TV9 First Alert Weather is also a free app, but its value is significantly impacted by frequent and intrusive ads, especially video ads that play every time the app opens or before weather updates . Users feel these ads hinder quick access to vital weather information, particularly during severe weather .
Support tieR4R31R37R43
9 StormTrack Users mention calling the station about accuracy issues R4 and asking for fixes for glitches and loading problems R31R37R43. There's a general sentiment that the app has gotten worse over time, implying a lack of effective support or development R4.
KCRG-TV9 First Alert Weather Users express frustration with updates that introduce new problems or don't fix existing ones, such as radar issues or app crashing . One user explicitly states that support for the app is non-existent and directs to a website with more ads .
Pick 9 StormTrack if

you are in the central Wisconsin area and find its radar and local team coverage to be consistently helpful, despite the app's many technical flaws and ads .

Pick KCRG-TV9 First Alert Weather if

you prioritize generally accurate local forecasts and detailed hourly weather information, even if you have to contend with frequent ads and occasional radar loading issues .

Evidence note: Both apps are free, leading to many complaints about ads and performance issues typical of ad-supported models. The reviews for 9 StormTrack show a significant problem with location accuracy, which is less prevalent in KCRG-TV9 reviews. Both apps have similar issues with radar functionality and general app stability.

Frequently asked

Do these apps have a lot of ads?
Yes, both 9 StormTrack and KCRG-TV9 First Alert Weather are heavily criticized for having too many intrusive ads, including full-page pop-ups and forced video ads that play frequently and disrupt the user experience R3R5R17R32.
Are these apps reliable for weather alerts?
Users report mixed reliability for weather alerts; 9 StormTrack is praised by some for timely and early alerts R19R27 but others receive excessive notifications for distant areas or no alerts at all R6R28. KCRG-TV9 First Alert Weather is noted for alerting users first but also sends too many general notifications and lacks options for advisories .
Do these apps have issues with location accuracy?
9 StormTrack has significant and frequent issues with location accuracy, often defaulting to Wisconsin or other incorrect states even when users try to set their local area R1R7R9R11. KCRG-TV9 First Alert Weather does not have widespread complaints about incorrect location display.

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. [R14] 9 StormTrack 5/5 · US Easy to see: I like that the radar imaging has bold colors that are easy to see
  2. [R24] 9 StormTrack 1/5 · US Radar: Not sure what’s going on with the radar, but it won’t play anymore, and messed up. Is it only me? I’ve uninstalled and installed again as well.
  3. [R26] 9 StormTrack 1/5 · US Inaccurate: The radar over the past few months is very inaccurate even during big storms. I’m not talking typical predictions, it just is wrong. Switched to another networks app which seems to have better accuracy.
  4. [R30] 9 StormTrack 2/5 · US Why only two stars?: On this app, the radar is not consistent. Actually it was wonderful for the first few weeks, but now the areas of rain flash on my screen, and it is really hard to see. Somewhat worthless. I looked for an update, but there was none.
  5. [R1] 9 StormTrack 1/5 · US Wrong area: Your app shows me Michigans weather even though it's set for Cincinnati weather. I can never find Cincinnati weather because there are no labels on the screens.
  6. [R7] 9 StormTrack 1/5 · US Kansas City: How do I get my local weather here? I don’t live in Wisconsin!
  7. [R9] 9 StormTrack 3/5 · US Location is everything: Someone recommended this app to me recently and I gave it a try. I like the features and the format. My only complaint is that it keeps giving me weather alerts for Wisconsin and I’ve never been there, living several states away. I changed which locations should generate alerts, removing all WI locations, but it keeps sending them.
  8. [R10] 9 StormTrack 1/5 · US Glitchy: Why is this app so glitchy?? You can’t scroll past the video on the Home Screen without it switching to the video page. I installed this app because wsaw was having the same malfunctions, but now this one is just as bad.
  9. [R2] 9 StormTrack 5/5 · US Hundred percent accurate for the wrong area: Works great in West Texas better than the local news apps I thought this was our channel 9, but it’s better
  10. [R4] 9 StormTrack 1/5 · US The Worst: This is the worst weather app I have ever installed. The weather predicted would be more accurate if they threw a dart on a weather board. Their accuracy is at most 15% correct for our area. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I changed my plans because of the impending weather only to find we did not receive that forecast! I have had this app at least 9 years and it has only gotte
  11. [R6] 9 StormTrack 3/5 · US Notifications: I am alerted to notifications but never see anything about the issues. How do you see or find the “Notifications “?
  12. [R3] 9 StormTrack 3/5 · US Delete app: Advertisement on Boston scientific low back pain no way to delete it had to delete the weather app
  13. [R5] 9 StormTrack 5/5 · US To many ads: Fairly accurate but the stupid ads that are horrible to get rid of is making me use AccuWeather more often.
  14. [R17] 9 StormTrack 5/5 · US Pop up adds!: I love the weather app! It’s just there are to many pop up add lately.
  15. [R32] 9 StormTrack 1/5 · US Delete: This app was pretty good till the new update. Note when I want to check to see if rain or snow is on the way, I get a advertisement trying to sway me one way or another. If I wanted adds I’d go on the radio. Deleting this and getting different app
  16. [R31] 9 StormTrack 4/5 · US App isn’t working: I updated the app a few days ago but once I open it it keeps crashing and doesn’t open. Plz fixed the app again
  17. [R37] 9 StormTrack 5/5 · US Errors: I’ve been getting a lot of errors trying to open this up. It tells me this application isn’t available with my location. I’m home. I haven’t moved. Somethings wrong with this app now. Please fix it
  18. [R43] 9 StormTrack 5/5 · US Jams up all the time: Loved this app for my local weather. Info and map is excellent. Except the past few months this app is always jamming up and won’t open forcing me to go to Accuweather or some other local TV channel. I’d rather use Channel 9 Application. You need to get your tech people to fix this asap
  19. [R19] 9 StormTrack 5/5 · US Good job!: Your always right on time with what is going on in my area on your app. I love how it talks to me when something is goin on. Thank you for all you do.
  20. [R27] 9 StormTrack 5/5 · US Dependable: I love this app! Not only does it provide me with an accurate look at the weather at the touch of a button, it alerts me when something ugly is about to happen. The alerts come in early enough so I can prepare for storms before they get here! Thank you for a great service!
  21. [R28] 9 StormTrack 2/5 · US Used to be good: Used to be great, now you get warnings and updates for the entire state, I only need my area, not constant updates about a place 4 hrs away
  22. [R11] 9 StormTrack 5/5 · US Review: Just joined app recently! Why the top of app reflects OTHER STATES? Not the techiest person but would seem to want reflection of ok/ks/tx/ark? Love the RADAR !! Thx

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