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

Radio FM vs Simple Radio

Radio FM 4.6★ · Free to download 40
Winner Simple Radio
Simple Radio 4.7★ · Free + IAP 70

Simple Radio is the better choice for a more reliable and less ad-intrusive experience, despite some issues with its premium tier, while Radio FM is plagued by excessive and sometimes malicious ads.

Full reviews: Radio FM · Simple Radio

Simple Radio generally offers a more stable experience with a wide selection of stations, though some users report ads even with a premium subscription. Radio FM, while also offering many stations, is heavily criticized for an overwhelming number of intrusive and sometimes malicious ads that severely hinder usability.

Head to head

Features and Station Selection tieR15R18R20R23
Radio FM Radio FM users appreciate the wide variety of stations available, including international and niche selections, and its compatibility with older devices and Bluetooth speakers R20R23. However, some users report difficulty finding specific stations or issues with station reliability R15R18.
Simple Radio Simple Radio is praised for its extensive selection of local and international stations, allowing users to find favorites from their home countries or specific genres . Users also value its ability to provide stations not found on other apps .
Ease of Use and UI edge: Simple RadioR7R9R15R19
Radio FM Some Radio FM users find the app easy to use . However, many report difficulties changing stations, issues with the app freezing, and problems with the app crashing or not opening R7R9R15R19. There are also complaints about password setup for account registration .
Simple Radio Simple Radio is generally appreciated for its simplicity and functionality . However, some users find the favorites management frustrating, as accidental touches can easily remove stations . There are also reports of layout issues on Apple Watch and requests for a more traditional radio dial interface .
Reliability and Performance edge: Simple RadioR7R9R15R19
Radio FM Radio FM suffers from significant reliability issues, with reports of the app not opening, crashing after ads, freezing, and stopping playback when the screen locks R7R9R15R19. Some users also note stations being unreliable or pausing frequently R15.
Simple Radio Simple Radio generally performs well , but some users experience issues like stations dropping connection frequently , the app pausing every few minutes , or not opening at all after updates . There are also reports of it only working with a VPN in some regions .
Ads and Monetization tieR1R3R4R6
Radio FM Radio FM is overwhelmingly criticized for excessive, intrusive, and sometimes malicious ads R1R3R4R6. Users report ads popping up every time they switch apps, before music plays, and even malware-like advertisements R1R4R16R40. Some users who paid for a subscription reported that ads did not go away R10R40.
Simple Radio Simple Radio also faces significant criticism for ads, with many users complaining about too many commercials, including full-page ads that make the app unusable . Crucially, multiple premium users report still seeing ads even after paying for a subscription, sometimes intrusive ones R69R73. Some ads are also described as annoying noises, malware, or phishing scams R70.
Price and Value tieR1R4R10R40
Radio FM Radio FM is free to download, but many users feel the value is severely diminished by the overwhelming number of ads, even for those who paid for a subscription R1R4R10R40. One user reported a $49 subscription that did not remove ads R10. There's also a claim it's a paid app that only works for 24 hours without payment .
Simple Radio Simple Radio is free to download with in-app purchases. However, many users who paid for premium subscriptions (e.g., $20 or $40) report that ads persist, leading to feelings of being robbed or deceived R69R73. Some users express a desire for a lifetime subscription option .
Pick Radio FM if

You are looking for a wide selection of international stations and are willing to tolerate a very high volume of intrusive ads, or if you need an app that works on older devices R20R23.

Pick Simple Radio if

You prioritize a generally stable app with a vast selection of stations and a simpler interface, and are prepared to deal with some ad issues, even potentially with a paid subscription .

Evidence note: Both apps have significant complaints regarding ads, even from paying users, making it difficult to definitively declare a winner in that dimension. Simple Radio has a much higher number of total ratings and a slightly higher lifetime average rating, suggesting a broader user base and generally more positive sentiment despite the ad issues.

Frequently asked

Do these apps have a lot of ads?
Yes, both Radio FM and Simple Radio are heavily criticized for having a high volume of intrusive ads, with many users reporting that ads appear frequently, often interrupting playback or making the app difficult to use R1R4R12R46.
Will paying for a subscription remove ads?
For both apps, many users report that paying for a subscription or premium version does not reliably remove all ads. Radio FM users stated that a $49 subscription did not remove embedded ads R10R40, and Simple Radio premium users also complained about still seeing commercials, sometimes intrusive ones, even after paying R69R73.
Are there any security concerns with the ads?
Yes, users of both apps have reported security concerns related to ads. Radio FM users described ads that appeared to be malware, showing messages about Trojans on their iOS devices R16. Simple Radio users reported ads that support illegal phishing scams, including those that replicate a home screen and warn of an Apple ID lock R70R93.

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. [R15] Radio FM 3/5 · US 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
  2. [R18] Radio FM 3/5 · US 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.
  3. [R20] Radio FM 5/5 · US Thank you!: I’ve never written an app review, but after a long search I found this- the only radio player to work on older devices. I’m thrilled- thank you!!
  4. [R23] Radio FM 5/5 · US 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
  5. [R7] Radio FM 1/5 · US Not working: This radio app isn’t opening at all... Why?!!!
  6. [R9] Radio FM 3/5 · US 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.
  7. [R19] Radio FM 1/5 · US Shuts down: Cuts off when my screen shuts down and it never did that before just started when the app was changed
  8. [R1] Radio FM 1/5 · US 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.
  9. [R3] Radio FM 3/5 · US Pop ups: Too many pop ups and ads
  10. [R4] Radio FM 1/5 · US 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.
  11. [R6] Radio FM 3/5 · US Commercials: Too many commercials
  12. [R10] Radio FM 2/5 · US 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!
  13. [R40] Radio FM 1/5 · US 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
  14. [R12] Radio FM 3/5 · US Only advertising: Rarely useable all ads
  15. [R46] Radio FM 1/5 · US Ads are annoying!: You can’t click through the app without ads popping up every 2 seconds and not letting you exit without watching it play first 🙄…. Terrible and annoying when you just want to listen or search something
  16. [R69] 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?
  17. [R73] Simple Radio 2/5 · US Mucha publicidad: Aunque pagues premium siguen apareciendo estos espantosos comerciales de Toyota
  18. [R16] Radio FM 1/5 · US 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!
  19. [R70] Simple Radio 1/5 · US Supports illegal phishing scams: They don’t filter their ads, so they include malware and phishing attacks.
  20. [R93] 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

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