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

StormTrack 5 vs WMC5 First Alert Weather

StormTrack 5 4.8★ · Free to download 65
Winner WMC5 First Alert Weather
WMC5 First Alert Weather 4.7★ · Free to download 70

WMC5 First Alert Weather has a slight edge due to its more consistent performance in critical situations and better-regarded local meteorologists, despite both apps suffering from recent update issues and radar inaccuracies.

Full reviews: StormTrack 5 · WMC5 First Alert Weather

Both StormTrack 5 and WMC5 First Alert Weather are free, local weather apps that offer radar and alerts. While StormTrack 5 is praised for its accuracy and storm tracking by many users, it's also plagued by frequent app crashes, radar issues, and inaccurate notifications. WMC5 First Alert Weather, despite similar complaints about recent updates and ads, is often lauded for its timely and comprehensive severe weather coverage by its meteorologists.

Head to head

Features (Radar & Alerts) edge: WMC5 First Alert WeatherR1R2R4R13
StormTrack 5 StormTrack 5 users appreciate its detailed radar maps and storm tracking capabilities, with some finding the lightning strike notifications very helpful R2R14. However, many recent reviews report that the radar no longer updates, crashes frequently, or shows inaccurate information, sometimes even when it's storming outside R4R25R34R48. There are also complaints about alerts being alarmist or not providing enough detail R1, and a critical failure to alert for tornadoes in one instance R13.
WMC5 First Alert Weather WMC5 First Alert Weather is highly praised for its comprehensive storm coverage and timely alerts, especially during severe weather events like tornadoes, with users appreciating the voice alerts from meteorologists . However, recent updates have led to issues where alerts don't work verbally, map alerts don't show up, or the radar experiences lag and glitches . Some users also find the number of alerts excessive, wanting only severe weather notifications .
Accuracy tieR6R9R11R14
StormTrack 5 Many StormTrack 5 users commend its accuracy, calling it the 'most accurate' they've used and reliable for planning activities R9R11R14. Conversely, a significant number of recent reviews state the app is 'not accurate anymore,' showing clear skies when it's raining or providing incorrect forecasts for snow and rain percentages R6.
WMC5 First Alert Weather WMC5 First Alert Weather users generally find the weather forecast accurate, with many trusting the meteorologists R63. However, some reviews report inaccuracies in current conditions, such as temperature discrepancies or forecasts showing clouds and rain when the sun is shining . There are also claims of the app being 'not a legit weather forecast' or getting hay wet due to incorrect predictions .
Ease of Use & Reliability tieR4R5R7R10
StormTrack 5 StormTrack 5 is described as 'super easy to navigate' by some R37, and many users found it reliable in the past . However, recent updates have introduced significant usability issues: the app crashes frequently R4R34, radar doesn't load or freezes R25, and some users dislike the new interface, including cluttered screens, white backgrounds, and loss of custom settings or wide view R5R7. Connectivity issues are also reported R10.
WMC5 First Alert Weather WMC5 First Alert Weather was once considered user-friendly and a 'favorite travel app' . However, recent updates have made it 'barely functional' for some, with complaints about the radar system being less user-friendly . Users also report issues with videos not playing , the app not working in their location , and frequent crashes when changing radar settings . Some find the layout too crowded .
Price/Value & Ads tieR11R41R63R72
StormTrack 5 StormTrack 5 is free to download and is appreciated for being a 'best local weather app and it’s free' R11. However, some users find there are 'too many pop-up ads' which make the app hard to navigate R41.
WMC5 First Alert Weather WMC5 First Alert Weather is also free to download. Users frequently complain about the presence of 'fraudulent, scam ads' and 'way too many ads cluttering the page,' which can be intrusive and slow down the app R63R72R87.
Support & Local Personalities edge: WMC5 First Alert WeatherR1R6R20R23
StormTrack 5 StormTrack 5 users report a lack of app support, stating there's 'no app support' and 'no one to talk to' R1. Some reviews praise the 'great crew/staff' and specific weather personalities like Bree R6R20R23.
WMC5 First Alert Weather WMC5 First Alert Weather users highly commend the local meteorologists, particularly Ron Childers and his team, for their 'outstanding' and 'superb' storm coverage, timely voice alerts, and overall professionalism . There are no specific mentions of direct app support, but the strong connection to the local station's weather team is a significant positive.
Pick StormTrack 5 if

you prioritize a potentially detailed radar for general storm tracking and don't mind navigating around occasional app glitches or alarmist notifications R2R14.

Pick WMC5 First Alert Weather if

you value comprehensive, timely, and often vocal severe weather alerts from trusted local meteorologists, especially during critical events .

Evidence note: Both apps are free, so negative reviews often stem from free-tier friction (ads, glitches) rather than paid dissatisfaction. Recent reviews for both apps show a significant increase in complaints regarding radar functionality and app stability following updates, which contrasts with their higher lifetime ratings.

Frequently asked

Do these apps provide accurate weather forecasts?
Both apps receive mixed reviews on accuracy; while many users praise StormTrack 5 for being highly accurate and reliable for planning R9R37, others report it's 'not accurate anymore' and frequently incorrect R32R48. Similarly, WMC5 First Alert Weather is generally considered accurate by its users R63, but some note discrepancies in current conditions or forecasts .
Are there issues with radar functionality in these apps?
Yes, both apps have significant reported issues with radar functionality, particularly after recent updates. StormTrack 5 users frequently experience the radar not updating, crashing the app, or showing inaccurate information R4R25R34R48. WMC5 First Alert Weather users report radar glitches, lag, and the radar not working properly or being less user-friendly after updates .
Do these apps have many ads?
Yes, both apps are free and include advertisements. StormTrack 5 users mention 'too many pop-up ads' that hinder navigation R41. WMC5 First Alert Weather users frequently complain about 'fraudulent, scam ads' and 'way too many ads cluttering the page' R63R87R119.

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] StormTrack 5 1/5 · US Alarmist much: There is no app support it takes you to somewhere where it wants you to Sign up. There’s no one to talk to no one to report to. I’m tired of these notifications where it says heavy thunderstorm or whatever is headed your way. And then you actually go to the app and there is no such thing happening. I don’t need you telling me lies quit sending alarmist notifications when they aren
  2. [R2] StormTrack 5 4/5 · US Stormy Weather: The radar maps are detailed and are helpful, especially when they’re tracking nearby storms.
  3. [R4] StormTrack 5 1/5 · US App crashes: After the last update, radar no longer updates. If you try and move the time slider, the app crashes.
  4. [R13] StormTrack 5 1/5 · US No alert for tornadoes: I depend on the app for alerts. I have never had a problem. Except for today. Henry county had tornadoes all over touching down not one alert on my phone. I will pick another app to download.
  5. [R6] StormTrack 5 3/5 · US Daily: Great crew/staff. Report wrong! Suggest you review your earlier forecasts Not even close
  6. [R9] StormTrack 5 3/5 · US Cleveland Ohio: I recommend this app to anyone I meet. I’ve lived all over the U.S. and this app has been to most accurate out of any other app I’ve used. However, whoever is in charge of the Cleveland Ohio area needs to be replaced. Any times there’s snow I only get “less than 1 inch” or “__% chance of snow”. Well, the “less and 1 inch” we were supposed to get yesterday turned out to actually be
  7. [R11] StormTrack 5 5/5 · US sub to my youtube: best local weather app and it’s free!
  8. [R14] StormTrack 5 5/5 · US Awesome: This is my only weather app I have and I have it on 3 devices the storm alerts are top notch and to think I can get regular heads up on tomorrow’s weather today the storm tracking system is exceptional along with the accuracy I would recommend this app to anyone who wants to know about the current and future weather conditions. Thank you to the developers for making a weather app that doe
  9. [R5] StormTrack 5 4/5 · US Recent Update Not Good: I have always loved this app, but the recent update has made it less lovable. There is extra clutter on the screen, and if I switch to a different view the app no longer remembers my custom settings and I have to select my custom map again. Surely you could have added the 24 hour future radar without our having to save and select our “custom map.” I liked it much better
  10. [R7] StormTrack 5 1/5 · US Disgusting: Fix the stupid update now. I'm sick of it. Hate the white at the bottom, and hate how it won't go wide view.
  11. [R10] StormTrack 5 1/5 · US Never connects: This app doesn’t seem to connect with my WiFi and everything thing else is. Crazy
  12. [R41] StormTrack 5 4/5 · US Hard to read, too many ads: The only reason I go to this weather app is to look at the radar the local radar. There are too many pop-up ads, and the rest is too hard to read into navigate through.
  13. [R63] WMC5 First Alert Weather 3/5 · US Accurate weather; Scam ads: The accuracy of the weather forecast on this app is good, but the whole app is covered in fraudulent, scam ads.
  14. [R72] WMC5 First Alert Weather 3/5 · US Slow: Very slow waiting for it you want make sure we see the advertisement I don’t like that think I will use WREG
  15. [R20] StormTrack 5 5/5 · US Charles reed: Great station
  16. [R23] StormTrack 5 5/5 · US Best weather channel: Great weather persons
  17. [R32] StormTrack 5 1/5 · US Not Accurate Anymore: This used to be my go to app for weather information but in the last month or so it hasn’t been accurate at all and I don’t mean some of the time right and some wrong. It’s absolutely never correct. I had to start using the weather channel app.
  18. [R37] StormTrack 5 5/5 · US Best I have ever used!: Super easy to navigate. Best and most accurate weather app I’ve tried.
  19. [R48] StormTrack 5 1/5 · US Update: The recent update has ruined a app that was functioning well. The new radar is not accurate and no longer shows where the rain was before the current time. Now I use accuweather for my weather app since this app has become useless. It can be storming outside and the app not show anything on radar. Again this has become a useless tool.
  20. [R25] StormTrack 5 1/5 · US Radar: Storm tracker used to be wonderful, now the radar never works, just sits there and then suddenly flies across and goes away
  21. [R34] StormTrack 5 2/5 · US App freeze: Last update caused app radar to freeze. Has become useless to see approaching weather. Have to close app and restart to get minimum information.
  22. [R87] WMC5 First Alert Weather 3/5 · US Ads: Way too many ads cluttering the page.
  23. [R119] WMC5 First Alert Weather 4/5 · US Ads: Too many ads ! Hard to get around without accidentally touching and activating the ridiculous ad.

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