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

Simple Radio vs radio.net

Simple Radio 4.7★ · Free + IAP 70
Winner Simple Radio
radio.net 4.7★ · Free to download 55

Simple Radio is generally preferred for its wider station selection and stable performance, despite its significant issues with ads and favorite management, while radio.net struggles with intrusive ads and reliability.

Full reviews: Simple Radio · radio.net

Simple Radio offers a vast selection of stations and generally stable streaming, but users frequently complain about excessive and intrusive ads, even in the paid version, and a frustrating favorites feature. radio.net also suffers from pervasive ads, performance issues like freezing and battery drain, and unreliable connections, making it a less consistent option.

Head to head

Features and Content Selection edge: Simple RadioR2R8R14R30
Simple Radio Simple Radio is praised for its wide selection of content and ability to find stations not available on other apps, including international and local options R2R8R14R30. Users appreciate being able to listen to favorite stations from their home country or other states R8R14R30. However, some users note the absence of a radio dial R2 and wish for song title displays .
radio.net radio.net also offers a wide selection of stations, including international ones, and is used by some for language learning . However, some users report that specific stations, like Rokit radio's Jazz Central, are unavailable , and others complain about repetitive songs or incorrect genre categorization . A request for Apple Watch features was noted R107.
Ease of Use and UI tieR2R3R5R12
Simple Radio Users generally like Simple Radio's clean UI and simplicity R12. However, a significant design flaw is the accidental removal of favorite stations with a single touch, which users find frustrating and have reported for years without a fix R3. There are also reports of incorrect layouts on Apple Watch 8 R5 and a desire for a traditional radio dial or a power off button R2.
radio.net radio.net is described as easy to use . However, users report issues with the Apple TV app not working R69 and the CarPlay app not loading, requiring reinstallation . Some users also note the app's limitations compared to older apps and the inability to see track names on the app .
Reliability and Performance edge: Simple RadioR6R18R24R37
Simple Radio Simple Radio is generally praised for working well and providing awesome listening . However, users report frequent station drops R37, long loading times when using VPN R6, and the app pausing every 1-2 minutes R24. Some users also experienced the app not opening after reinstalling R18.
radio.net radio.net faces significant reliability issues. Users report constant freezing and pausing , frequent station dropouts, especially during live events , and unstable connections to international radio . The app also causes phones to overheat and drains battery quickly, using 4-5% per hour . Some users experience complete silence when pressing play .
Price and Value tieR4R9R10R12
Simple Radio Simple Radio is a free app with in-app purchases, but many users complain about excessive and intrusive ads even after paying for a subscription R4R9R13R16. Some ads are described as malicious, phishing scams, or malware R10R29R33R41. Users feel cheated, paying up to $40 for an ad-free experience that isn't delivered R16R35. There's a desire for a lifetime subscription option R12.
radio.net radio.net is free to download but offers a paid service. Many subscribers report still getting numerous commercials, including local ads, even after paying . Users feel the subscription doesn't deliver an ad-free experience, questioning its value . The free version is plagued by full-screen pop-up ads that are difficult to close , consuming significant data .
Pick Simple Radio if

You prioritize a wide selection of international and local radio stations and a generally stable listening experience, and are willing to tolerate significant ad interruptions or hope for future fixes to the premium ad experience R2R8R14.

Pick radio.net if

You are looking for specific international stations for language learning or unique content and are prepared to deal with frequent ads, potential performance issues, and battery drain .

Evidence note: Both apps have a large number of negative reviews related to ads, even for paid users. The evidence for reliability and performance is stronger for Simple Radio, despite its own issues, as radio.net has more severe and varied complaints in this area.

Frequently asked

Do Simple Radio and radio.net offer ad-free listening if I pay?
Despite offering premium subscriptions, many users of both Simple Radio and radio.net report experiencing numerous and intrusive ads, including local commercials, even after paying for the service R9R13R16R35. Simple Radio users report paying up to $40 and still seeing ads R16.
Are there any issues with the ads in these apps?
Yes, both apps have significant issues with ads; Simple Radio users report intrusive, full-page, and even malicious ads that support phishing scams and malware, sometimes locking users out of the app R10R29R33R41, while radio.net users also experience full-screen pop-up ads that are difficult to close and consume significant mobile data .
Do these apps support Apple Watch or Apple TV?
Simple Radio has an Apple Watch app, but some users report layout issues on Apple Watch 8 R5. radio.net users have reported that the Apple TV app is not working R69 and there is a request for Apple Watch features R107.

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. [R2] Simple Radio 5/5 · US Simple Radio: Hello, Simple Radio is an excellent app has all the stations that I can’t find or have been removed on other apps that I listen to. I do have one question however why is there no radio dial on the app? Just wondering out of curiosity and hopefully it will be added someday. Thank you very much for your time. Timothy or Midgett.
  2. [R8] Simple Radio 5/5 · US Simply the best: I listen my favorite station from my country and other states
  3. [R14] Simple Radio 5/5 · US Excelente: La mejor para escuchar la variedad de radio en mi caso de México
  4. [R30] Simple Radio 5/5 · US IDI AMIN: My favorite App to connect with the world beyond United Nations. Listening to all my favorites, choices and exploration.
  5. [R3] Simple Radio 3/5 · US Good but…: Be careful using favorites. I have a curated set of favorites that I surf daily. One accidental touch on the right side, where the stars are and POOF the favorite is gone. This happens to me on a regular basis and is wildly frustrating. I have reported this to Simple Radio, begging for a little more friction in this feature. No change in years.
  6. [R5] Simple Radio 5/5 · US Apple watch 8 Layout: Apple watch 8 has wrong layout to radio station list and play screen. I have to drag down to adjust the wrong favorite display or go to recently played screen and back to favorite. Apple Watch OS seems to mismatch Simple Radio app. Apple Watch 5 doesn’t have this problem. Pls fix it as soon as possible.
  7. [R12] Simple Radio 3/5 · US Clean UI, but no lifetime option: Really was hoping for a lifetime subscription option as I like the UI.
  8. [R6] Simple Radio 3/5 · US Only works with VPN: Only works with VPN, takes a long time to load the station · translated
  9. [R18] Simple Radio 3/5 · GB Same problem as other people: Worked really well for ages, now will not open. Deleted & reinstalled twice but still not working, time to find another app I suppose.
  10. [R24] Simple Radio 3/5 · GB Good app but keeps pausing.: Had to uninstall it as there is a 1 second pause every (about) 1-2 minutes. Very annoying.
  11. [R37] Simple Radio 1/5 · US simple Radio FM: enjoying listen to it but keep shut off most the times so hope turn off and app again fix the bug issues
  12. [R4] Simple Radio 1/5 · US Too many ads local and international: Horrible app now used to be great but now i have to listen to local and intl ads
  13. [R9] Simple Radio 3/5 · US queja: por que si pago suscripcion, cuando entrona cualquiera de mis favoritos, entran comerciales? no se supone que no debiera?
  14. [R10] Simple Radio 1/5 · US Supports illegal phishing scams: They don’t filter their ads, so they include malware and phishing attacks.
  15. [R13] Simple Radio 2/5 · US Mucha publicidad: Aunque pagues premium siguen apareciendo estos espantosos comerciales de Toyota
  16. [R16] Simple Radio 1/5 · US Commercials Commercials Commercials: A lot of interruptions with commercials after paying $20!!!! UPDATE: After the CLEVER response from the app creators, let me clarify that the ads are coming FROM the app itself. I’m not talking about the regular commercials that any radio station would normally have. Instead of wasting time with clever responses, it would be better to fix the app. People are
  17. [R35] Simple Radio 1/5 · US Es un robo: Cobran bien caro y no dejan de pasar el montón de comerciales a cada rato eso es un robo total no la recomiendo
  18. [R29] Simple Radio 1/5 · US Dangerous ads: Do not use this app
  19. [R33] Simple Radio 1/5 · US App allows Scammer Ads - Apple needs to pull from AppStore: Scammers tricked my friend who is sight disabled with a scam add the replicates a Home Screen and a fake pop up window says “Warning Apple ID locked” with “Protect now” button with instructions below “1. Click Protect Now, 2. Download app, 3. Check your phone” Obviously this is a spyware app and the scammers will call and ask you to p
  20. [R41] Simple Radio 2/5 · US Intrusive advertising even after you turn it off.: Terrible ads that remain live without option to CLOSE. Ads that trick you into clicking, thinking you’re closing their window. Manipulative ads that look like actual alarms about your operating system. Ads that continue after you shut down the program. The industry requires regulation if the streaming devices refuse to do it themselves.
  21. [R69] radio.net 3/5 · US Apple TV app is not working anymore: Apple TV app is not working anymore. Please fix it.
  22. [R107] radio.net 5/5 · US Great app but like to see Apple Watch feature: Great app but like to see Apple Watch feature!!

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