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

KSAT 12 Weather Authority vs First Alert 4 Weather

KSAT 12 Weather Authority 4.8★ · Free to download 30
Winner First Alert 4 Weather
First Alert 4 Weather 4.7★ · Free to download 65

First Alert 4 Weather is the better choice for users prioritizing fewer intrusive ads and more reliable core weather features, despite some performance issues, as KSAT 12 Weather Authority has suffered significantly from recent updates that have made it difficult to use and riddled with ads.

Full reviews: KSAT 12 Weather Authority · First Alert 4 Weather

KSAT 12 Weather Authority has seen a sharp decline in user satisfaction due to recent updates that introduced numerous ads, navigation issues, and broken features. First Alert 4 Weather, while not without its own ad complaints and occasional bugs, generally provides a more functional and less frustrating user experience for essential weather information.

Head to head

Features and Functionality edge: First Alert 4 WeatherR1R3R6R8
KSAT 12 Weather Authority Many users report that recent updates have made the app's features unusable, with radar issues R6R18R25R34, difficulty navigating R1R3R15R19, and problems with video playback and settings R8. Some also note the loss of specific features like storm tracker or the ability to delete custom locations .
First Alert 4 Weather Users appreciate the app's alerts and real-time information, especially during severe weather . However, some report issues with radar accuracy and functionality , video playback , and general app stability . The lack of an allergy forecast is also mentioned .
Ease of Use edge: First Alert 4 WeatherR1R3R15R19
KSAT 12 Weather Authority Many users find the updated app difficult to navigate, with a cluttered interface, large icons, and non-intuitive layouts R1R3R15. Issues like inability to exit videos or return to the main screen are also reported R19.
First Alert 4 Weather Users generally find the app easy to use for getting relevant weather information . However, some report issues with the app resetting upon return , difficulties with UI clarity , and the radar interface being less clear than previous versions .
Reliability and Performance tieR4R6R7R18
KSAT 12 Weather Authority The app is frequently described as buggy, slow, and prone to crashing R7. Users report radar not loading or being inaccurate R6R18R25R34, widgets being inaccurate R4, and false notifications .
First Alert 4 Weather While some users praise the app's accuracy , others criticize its reliability, citing slow loading times , crashes , freezing radar , and videos not loading or having no sound . There are also complaints about inaccurate temperature readings and radar predictions .
Ads and User Experience edge: First Alert 4 WeatherR9R10R12R13
KSAT 12 Weather Authority A major point of contention for KSAT 12 Weather Authority is the overwhelming number of intrusive ads, including full-screen pop-ups and unskippable video ads, which severely disrupt the user experience and make the app frustrating to use R9R10R12R13.
First Alert 4 Weather First Alert 4 Weather also receives significant criticism for its ads, particularly full-screen ads that interrupt live severe weather coverage . Users find these ads intrusive and potentially dangerous during critical weather events. Some also note ads playing before videos .
Updates and Changes edge: First Alert 4 WeatherR1R11R14R16
KSAT 12 Weather Authority Recent updates to KSAT 12 Weather Authority have been overwhelmingly negative, with users expressing strong dislike for the new interface, radar, and overall functionality, often requesting a return to the old version R1R11R14R16.
First Alert 4 Weather First Alert 4 Weather has also undergone recent format switches, with some users expressing initial difficulty adjusting to the new layout and preferring the visual clarity of the old overview map . However, the sentiment around updates is less universally negative compared to App A.
Pick KSAT 12 Weather Authority if

You are a long-time user who might still appreciate the local meteorologists, despite the app's current issues, and are hoping for future improvements .

Pick First Alert 4 Weather if

You prioritize receiving timely and accurate weather alerts, especially for severe weather, and are willing to tolerate occasional ads and minor bugs .

Evidence note: Reviews for KSAT 12 Weather Authority are heavily skewed negative due to recent updates, with many users expressing frustration and stating they are switching to other apps. First Alert 4 Weather also has complaints, particularly regarding ads during critical weather, but the overall sentiment is less severe and its core functionality is generally more reliable according to users.

Frequently asked

Are there many ads in these weather apps?
Yes, both KSAT 12 Weather Authority and First Alert 4 Weather have significant ad presence, with users reporting frequent full-screen pop-ups and unskippable video ads that disrupt the user experience, especially during critical weather updates R9R10R12R13.
How do recent updates affect the apps?
Recent updates have severely impacted KSAT 12 Weather Authority, leading to widespread user dissatisfaction due to navigation difficulties, broken features, and an increase in intrusive ads R1R11R16R28. First Alert 4 Weather also had a format switch, with some users preferring the old interface, but the negative impact is less pronounced .
Is the radar feature reliable in these apps?
The radar feature in KSAT 12 Weather Authority is frequently reported as buggy, inaccurate, or non-functional after recent updates, with users unable to see future projections or past loops R6R18R25R34. First Alert 4 Weather's radar also faces criticism for being slow, freezing, or inaccurate in its predictions .

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] KSAT 12 Weather Authority 1/5 · US Icons and view is incredibly large. You can’t see it.: The app changed about a week ago and suddenly when you open it, it is massive huge you can’t even see two other days at a time!!! This app is absolutely worthless!!!
  2. [R3] KSAT 12 Weather Authority 3/5 · US Unusable for me: The inability to use landscape mode, or enlarge the window for iPad use makes it difficult to use. I liked the layout, but now it’s just too cumbersome and hard to use.
  3. [R6] KSAT 12 Weather Authority 3/5 · US Radar issues? Just me?: I can no longer see radar a couple of hours into the future using the KSAT weather app. The only option I have is the last 24 hours ending with right now-this minute. When I looked in settings, it didn’t give me an option to look at say, the next couple of hours to see if it’s gonna rain so I know to pack an umbrella. In other words, this app is almost useless to me now and
  4. [R8] KSAT 12 Weather Authority 5/5 · US New weather app: I’ve used your weather app for several years and loved it. I’ve tried working with the new one and have changed settings but it won’t keep my changes. I just want the radar once it comes up. I’m not interested in all the links you have below featuring the actual broadcast and other stuff. Needless to say there’s another station that has one similar to your old one you had that I’l
  5. [R15] KSAT 12 Weather Authority 3/5 · US Do not like as much as previous version: This version is not really user friendly and I hate the interruption by ads. Too many steps involved to see relevant info I want.
  6. [R19] KSAT 12 Weather Authority 3/5 · US Was better before: Since they completely changed the look of the app now once you click on a feature like the video weather updates there’s no way to return back to the main screen. This needs a close button in the corner or something. I have to completely exit out of the app and swipe it away just to go back the main screen. Please fix
  7. [R4] KSAT 12 Weather Authority 1/5 · US Widgets are inaccurate.: And I hate that it forces my music to turn off whenever I open it…like no, I don’t also want the broadcast version of whatever I’m currently reading on the app.
  8. [R7] KSAT 12 Weather Authority 1/5 · US Poor quality app: The apps features usually never work and when you write a review, the developers simply are offended that their app doesn’t function properly when that is their responsibility. Currently, the app doesn’t open and has been this way since the new year begun.
  9. [R18] KSAT 12 Weather Authority 1/5 · US Radar loop: All of a sudden I do not have the radar loop. What happened???
  10. [R9] KSAT 12 Weather Authority 3/5 · US Intrusive Ads: Tried to look at the app today and ads kept popping up hijacking the entire screen. After about 5, I closed the app and am looking for a new weather app.
  11. [R10] KSAT 12 Weather Authority 1/5 · US Toooooo many ads: I’ve had the app for several months and while it does offer “some” helpful information, the ads are so bothersome. You can’t touch any portion of your screen without hitting them. Very frustrating. I can look up weather info myself w/o soliciting advertisements.
  12. [R12] KSAT 12 Weather Authority 3/5 · US Meh: Overall a descent app. The problem is that every time I would like to watch a video over the daily forecast, it makes me painfully watch a 2 minute long advertisement. It’s extra annoying having a ‘Skip ad’ feature that DOESN’T EVEN WORK. At this point I will figure out the weather myself.
  13. [R13] KSAT 12 Weather Authority 1/5 · US ADS ADS AND MORE ADS!: KSAT should be ashamed of itself. All these ridiculous ads that pop up when you’re trying to get real update weather info. They are never right ANYWAY… instead I use a Magic 8 ball.
  14. [R11] KSAT 12 Weather Authority 4/5 · US The update is horrible: This was my favorite weather app but the update you just did makes it difficult to use and the radar is so bizarre looking now. Please change it back!
  15. [R14] KSAT 12 Weather Authority 5/5 · US Updated weather app: Your weather app HAD the best radar view that I have ever seen. The updated version that just changed this week is too chunky and the pin is too big. If you don’t revert back to the old look, I’m going to search for a better app.
  16. [R16] KSAT 12 Weather Authority 1/5 · US Terrible Radar: You know that old saying: Don’t fix it if it ain’t broke? Yeah. You did that. I absolutely abhor the recent version.
  17. [R28] KSAT 12 Weather Authority 1/5 · US Terrible: Unfortunately after the update this app has never worked properly. I like using the radar and it is TERRIBLE now. The app is also not user friendly and hard to navigate. I will be having to download a different one for reliability and usability.
  18. [R25] KSAT 12 Weather Authority 3/5 · US Radar: Ugh , new radar is abysmal. It no longer loads up on our area. A full map of south Texas. Yes I can zoom in. But what’s the point. Yes my location is allowed.
  19. [R34] KSAT 12 Weather Authority 1/5 · US Disappointing: I preferred the old app. I have issues navigating the new app to get information and don’t feel it’s well presented from a UX perspective. The radar also doesn’t show as far back in the past anymore and the future radar is effectively useless. I also wish the video and written forecasts were easier to find on the front page.

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