Head-to-head
Radio FM vs iHeart
Radio FM
40
Winner
iHeart
iHeart
65
iHeart is the better choice for a more reliable and feature-rich radio and podcast experience, despite its own ad issues and recent content changes, while Radio FM struggles significantly with ads, bugs, and basic functionality.
iHeart generally offers a more stable platform for listening to radio and podcasts, though users frequently complain about excessive and intrusive ads, as well as recent changes to local programming. Radio FM is plagued by an overwhelming number of ads, frequent app crashes, and difficulty with core features like changing stations or account setup.
Head to head
Radio FM Radio FM offers a wide selection of stations, with users appreciating the ability to find various artists and local stations, and it works well with external devices like JBL speakers R23R26R32. However, some users report difficulty finding specific stations they search for R25, and there are complaints about a lack of specific genres .
iHeart iHeart provides a broad range of radio stations and is highly praised for its podcast selection, with many users listening to their favorite podcasts and music on the app R86R91R111. It allows users to listen to stations outside their home networks and offers a touch of home for those living away . However, some users desire an equalizer and more variety in live content , and a significant number are upset about the removal of local morning shows and personalities .
Radio FM Radio FM is described as easy to use by some , and one user found it worked on older devices . However, many users report significant usability issues, including difficulty changing stations R15, the app freezing R27, and problems with account registration due to password requirements . The app also has issues with not opening R7, crashing after closing ads R9, and music turning off when the screen locks R19.
iHeart iHeart is generally easy to use for finding music and podcasts R86. However, users report issues with CarPlay integration , buffering problems with imperfect signals , and unwanted suggestions being added to created playlists . There are also complaints about the app turning on by itself and draining the battery .
Radio FM Radio FM is overwhelmingly criticized for excessive and intrusive ads, with users stating ads appear every time they switch between apps or return to the station screen R1R3R4R6. Some ads are described as pop-ups that prevent interaction with the app R1R40 or even as malware advertisements R16. Users who paid for a subscription reported that ads did not go away, as they were embedded in the streams R10. The app is also described as a paid app that only works for 24 hours without payment .
iHeart iHeart users also frequently complain about excessive and long commercials . Ads often interrupt radio shows in the middle of sentences or segments . A particularly frustrating experience involves unskippable ads playing after buffering, causing users to miss crucial moments . Some users feel the app is not free due to the overwhelming number of ads unless a subscription is purchased .
Radio FM Radio FM has significant reliability issues, including the app not opening R7, crashing R9, freezing R27, and constantly pausing during songs R15. Users report constant errors that cut off music and the app shutting down when the screen locks R19. Some stations are unreliable or do not work R15R18.
iHeart iHeart generally works well for many users . However, it is prone to crashing and buffering issues, especially with less-than-perfect signals . The app is also reported to drain battery life significantly .
Pick Radio FM if
You are looking for a basic radio app and are willing to tolerate an overwhelming number of ads and potential bugs, especially if you have an older device that it might work on .
Pick iHeart if
You want a more robust app for listening to a wide variety of radio stations and podcasts, and you are prepared to deal with frequent and sometimes intrusive ads, or consider an in-app purchase to remove them. You value access to specific local stations or podcasts, even if some local programming has recently been removed R86R91R111.
Evidence note: Many reviews for Radio FM are short, simple positive statements (e.g., 'exelente', 'Love it'), which inflate its lifetime rating but offer little detail. The more recent and detailed reviews are predominantly negative, focusing on ads and bugs. iHeart's reviews are more detailed overall, with a mix of strong positives and significant negatives, particularly regarding ads and recent content changes.
Frequently asked
Which app has fewer ads?
Neither app is free from ad complaints, but Radio FM is described as having an 'excessive' and 'overwhelming' number of ads, including pop-ups that prevent app use and even malware advertisements, with paid subscriptions not always removing embedded ads R1R10R16R40. iHeart also has frequent and long commercials that interrupt content, but the complaints, while numerous, suggest a slightly less disruptive experience overall compared to Radio FM's issues with app-breaking ads .
Can I listen to podcasts on these apps?
Are there any issues with app stability?
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.
- [R23] Radio FM Love the station offered: I can just find whom I’m in the mood for and just sit back and chill. Love all the different selections of artist. I listen mostly on a iPod so as long as I have WiFi I’m good. Thanks for making this app! Respect
- [R25] Radio FM Won’t find stations I search for: The app doesn’t find stations I search for
- [R26] Radio FM Works great with my JBL: I love this app because it turns my JBL Flip 6 into a radio, I love that I can put my JBL in my bike’s basket, fire up the app, and enjoy the radio like it’s a car radio.
- [R32] Radio FM Great radio app: It has the stations I want which is great
- [R7] Radio FM Not working: This radio app isn’t opening at all... Why?!!!
- [R9] Radio FM Why is my location blocked?: Why is my location blocked? It used to work fine in Hong Kong, but after the update, it crashes after closing the ad! I hope this gets fixed soon.
- [R15] Radio FM App is “okay” and has issues: Would be a great app if they could fix issues. For one, it is difficult to change stations. If I am listening to one station and try to listen to another, it simply plays the existing station and I have to click on the new one several time before it actually changes. Second, some of the stations are unreliable and constantly pause during the middle of a song. And last
- [R19] Radio FM Shuts down: Cuts off when my screen shuts down and it never did that before just started when the app was changed
- [R1] Radio FM Excessive forced ads: Excessive Ads & pop-ups destroyed this app. Cannot minimize window preventing the listener from conducting simultaneous activities on other apps. Oh! Did I mention the ads are Excessive preventing music from playing.
- [R3] Radio FM Pop ups: Too many pop ups and ads
- [R4] Radio FM Getting worse and worse!: Ads ruined this app. I get it, couple of time you get an ad, but now literally every single time you switch between apps and you want to get back to the same screen with the station info, you get an ad.
- [R6] Radio FM Commercials: Too many commercials
- [R18] Radio FM Good selection poor design: It would be nice if I could see a whole selection of the stations or categories alphabetize. Most of the stations seem to work but some do not. It would be nice if there was a more logical order to the stations searches either by alphabet or by frequency.
- [R10] Radio FM Advertising does NOT go away: I was led to believe that subscribing would allow avoiding these long advertisements. They DO NOT go away. They are embedded in the streams. I will not be renewing my subscription for $49!
- [R16] Radio FM Malware Advertisements?!: Ad Messages saying, “We Have Noticed You Have # Of Trojans On Your iOS!” “Something…” Shows An Image Of The iOS Gear Settings. And Another Ad Message, “We Have Noticed That You Have Said Malware Within Your iOS Browser!” I Would Advise You To, Get Rid Of This App!
- [R40] Radio FM Popup ads: Cannot even get to music with the popup ads Really ridiculous….iPhone out of storage… cleanup iPhone…. Can’t even get out of it without closing AP. I pay for my subscription and will cancel soon if this is not fixed I see another review written in January about ads also. It’s now may 1 and still not fixed
- [R86] iHeart Best place for podcasts and music: I can’t emphasize enough how much this app is great! I listen to all my favorite podcasts and music right on this app! Great job iHeart!
- [R91] iHeart Out standing: I like IHeart: Radio because it gives you top-notch entertainment, you have a variety of shows and stations to choose from the radio and iPod. 24 seven.
- [R111] iHeart Various music topics: Great podcast, radio station s, genre
- [R27] Radio FM Good app but keeps freezing: I like the app because I find a lot of radio stations that I like on it. However, I have to delete and reinstall so many times because it freezes
Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store