Since the dawn of the smartphone, users have been trying to figure out the best way to use their phones while on the go. Applications like Google Maps and Yelp have made it easier than ever to find new places to eat and visit, but these are only useful for activities that involve walking around and getting lost in new cities. What about when you’re stuck at home? There are also countless radio apps available, but these have a major drawback: you can’t listen to them if you’re not connected to a wifi network.
Because we wanted an app that would offer our readers an easy way to listen to music from any device, anywhere in the world, we came up with Best Apps For Radio—an application that allows users to access thousands of radio stations from all over the world.
Table of Contents
Best Apps For Radio
If there’s one type of media that shows no signs of slowing down, it’s radio. Over 71 million adults aged 18 – 34 tune in each month and a staggering 115 million aged 50+. Radio apps are so easily available on our smartphones nowadays, but which apps are out there and which are any good?
To help you find your next favourite radio app, take a look at our masterlist below. To find out more about any station, just click on its name. All apps are available for both iOS and Android, and are free to download!
App
Genre
Download links
Cost
BBC Radio 2
Wide selection of music
Apple
Android
Free
Heart
Contemporary music
Apple
Android
Free
Capital FM
Trending music on the charts
Apple
Android
Free
Classic FM
Classical music
Apple
Android
Free
Jazz FM
Jazz music
Apple
Android
Free
Planet Rock
Classic rock, punk, and metal music
Apple
Android
Free
LBC Radio
News and opinions
Apple
Android
Free
Sky News Radio
Breaking news, sports, business, and entertainment
Apple
Android
Free
BBC Radio 5 Live
Live music, documentaries and broadcasts
Apple
Android
Free
TuneIn Radio
Live news, sports, music, and podcasts
Apple
Android
Free – offers in-app purchases
The popularity of radio
Rajar found that approximately 89% of the population (aged 15 and above) choose to digest their morning news or music by audio, rather than staring at a screen. They also found that the average listener tunes into their station of choice for 20.2 hours per week, and that 67% listened via a digital platform like an app.
So which one will you be tuning into?
BBC Sounds 1 BBC Sounds 2
BBC Radio 2 (via BBC Sounds)
It goes without saying that BBC radio dominates the market, offering listeners the choice of many radio stations. With so many BBC-owned channels, how do you know which to pick? Well, it depends on what you like to listen to, but for general music lovers, we think Radio 2 is your best bet.
BBC Radio 2 predominantly features adult contemporary music, but has a wide range of programmes available for all types of listeners, specialising in a host of genres like folk, classical, pop, soul, country, rock ‘n’ roll, gospel, blues, and jazz – so there’s something for everyone.
Use the app to listen to Radio 2 live any time of day, as this is a 24-hour station with DJs working around the clock. Missed your favourite presenter? Use the catch-up feature and listen to shows from the past.
You can also set up the app to function as an alarm clock, employing the built-in timer to wake you up at a certain time each morning.
Here’s what the other BBC channels can offer you:
Radio station
Type of music
BBC Radio 1
Modern popular music, as well as electronica, dance, hip hop, indie
BBC Radio 4
Variation of entertainment and news
BBC Radio 5 Live
Live artist performances, but mainly documentaries and broadcasts relating to news and sport
BBC Radio 6 Music
Alternative
To access all BBC Radio stations, including Radio 2, you’ll need to use the BBC Sounds app.
Heart FM 1 Heart FM 2
Heart
Heart has been providing listeners with a more pop-centred, contemporary playlist since 1994, though the radio station still plays tunes from Heart 80’s for those who prefer the earlier music.
With the app, you can listen to Heart radio live, catch up with your favourite shows that you might’ve missed, download programmes to listen to offline, subscribe to favourites, check the schedule for upcoming music and presenters, and skip songs on live radio.
There’s also a Podcast section on the app to listen to episodes, as well as a Playlist section to encourage exercise.
Downloading the Heart app means you also have access to some of Global’s other stations, like Capital, Gold, Classic FM, and Smooth.
Capital FM 1 Capital FM 2
Capital FM
Aimed predominantly at millennials, Capital FM plays whatever is trending on the top charts. It repeats the most popular, highest-ranking songs streaming at the time, so you can keep listening to all of the newest and best hits.
Using the app, you can skip songs live on radio, download and listen offline, catch up on shows you’ve missed, subscribe to favourites and have them automatically downloaded each day for your commute, read the latest news on artists and music being released, and explore the other Global stations available.
There’s also a Podcasts and Playlists section.
Classic FM 1 Classic FM 2
Classic FM
If you’re less into modern music and prefer classical, this is the radio station for you. Classic FM plays music from the world’s greatest classical composers and musicians, specialising in orchestral and operatic styles.
With shows hosted by John Suchet, Myleene Klass, and Alexander Armstrong, listeners are able to subscribe to their favourite presenters and download episodes to listen to later. As part of the Global family, downloading the Classic FM app allows you to access Capital, Capital Xtra, Heart, LBC, Radio X, Smooth, and Gold.
Skip songs on live radio, access the latest news and music in the classical industry, or choose the Playlists tab for exercise or relaxing music (perfect for when you’re meditating). There’s also a Podcast section to listen to some like-minded discussions on topics of interest.
Discover more stations that play classical music, like Scala Radio.
Jazz FM 1 Jazz FM 2
Jazz FM
There’s a radio station for all types of music fanatics. For jazz lovers, Jazz FM is, non-surprisingly, the best UK station to tune into.
If you miss something, you have seven days to listen with the Catch Up feature. You can also build up a queue of shows to listen to later, so you don’t forget.
The app has a search feature, allowing you to easily find your favourite shows and podcasts. You can also choose to browse through the recommendations, which are calculated by your personal interests, and explore Jazz FM’s most popular plays to see what’s trending.
Furthermore, you can enter competitions or watch live music sessions and interviews directly through the app.
Planet Rock 1 Planet Rock 2
Planet Rock
For fans of rock music, Planet Rock is undoubtedly the best app for you to download. From classic rock to punk to metal, this station covers all bases. Listen to the likes of Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Iron Maiden, The Rolling Stones, Queen, Aerosmith, Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, Foo Fighters, Guns N’ Roses, and much more.
Listen to your favourite music, hear famous artists discuss their careers, catch up on ‘The Hairy Rock Show Podcast’ hosted by The Hairy Bikers, revel in the ghoulish radio section ‘Nights’, presented by Alice Cooper, and rock out to the best tunes with ‘The Joe Elliott Show’.
Build your own playlist with the My List queue, and explore the recommendations to add new songs that the app thinks you’ll enjoy.
LBC 1 LBC 2
LBC Radio
For way less music and way more conversation, check out the LBC Radio app. This station focuses on delivering news stories and opinion-based discussions on current affairs topics.
An abbreviation for ‘Leading Britain’s Conversation’, you can listen to shows live and offline while on the move, catch up on missed conversations, subscribe to your favourite shows and have them automatically downloaded each day, check the schedule to see what’s coming up, and get all the latest news and videos on current affairs.
Though this station focuses on topical debates and conversations, you can still listen to music (and skip them live), as it’s part of Global’s big station. Take advantage of the Podcasts and Playlists section too.
Sky News 1 Sky News 2
Sky News Radio
To listen to all of the breaking news stories and journalism from the UK and around the world, Sky News Radio is the station for you. As well as briefing listeners on big events, the presenters of Sky News Radio also detail eyewitness reports, expert analysis, and opinion-based discussions.
Explore a long list of topics to listen to, including: Politics, UK news, US news, Ocean Rescue, Sport, Science & Technology, Business, Entertainment & Arts, and Offbeat.
Key features in the app include breaking news notifications so you can be one of the first to find out about major stories, live watching (when online), reading offline, and Dark Mode to change the appearance of the interface.
Though the focus is on the UK, Sky News also lets you read about events happening from all over the world.
BBC Radio 5 Live 1 BBC Radio 5 Live 2
BBC Radio 5 Live (via BBC Sounds)
For more broadcasts and podcasts, BBC’s Radio 5 Live is a good option for those who already have the BBC Sounds App, or just like to stick with one channel.
Radio 5 Live focuses on presenting discussions and delivering stories, with many hours dedicated to taking calls from listeners and hosting interviews. This is a good station to get involved in, have questions answered, and listen to other people’s opinions.
As with all of the BBC stations, you can pause and rewind live radio to hear things again or listen to shows you missed, set up auto-play to keep playing your favourite episodes, subscribe to podcasts and other programmes, explore the daily headlines across BBC, and, occasionally, listen to music mixes.
You’ll also get personalised recommendations for topics of interest, and be able to view an entire schedule to see which shows or discussions are popping up next.
TuneIn Radio 1 TuneIn Radio 2
TuneIn Radio
TuneIn Radio is the best all-rounder station, with an equal concentration on music, news, sports, and podcasts. ‘Tune in’ from 197 countries around the world and access one of the largest libraries of live and on-demand content.
Listen to loads of music genres, hear live sports on and offline (rugby, cricket, football, baseball, basketball – you name it), keep updated on breaking news and the latest updates from around the world, listen to podcasts, and stream 100,000+ AM and FM radio.
Whilst you can download this app for free, you do have the option of purchasing a premium subscription to access some of the features.
Have a better audio experience
You can listen to the radio out loud if you wish, but for those who listen on their commute or wander around their home a lot whilst audio is playing, you may find these blogs helpful:
free radio apps
Your free radio app
radio.net – download now for free
radio.net is your free online radio on the internet. Stream the radio station of your choice with us via web radio. It’s live and for free.
At radio.net you will find over 30,000 radio stations from all over the world. Sit back and enjoy our wide range of radio programs, music and podcasts.
Listening to live radio has never been easier: Download the radio.net app on your smartphone easily and for free and listen to radio whenever you like.
Your benefits at a glance:
Listen to your favorite radio live and for free
Station lists from your region
Radio diversity with over 30,000 radio stations
Radio app free of charge
Radio alarm clock and sleeptimer
Editorial recommendations for new radio stations
Save your favorites
Clear search for stations and songs
Access to radio stations most recently played
You can listen to selected radio programs
Download our free radio.net app
App Store
Google Play Store
What you should know about radio apps
What is a radio app?
What is the best radio app?
Which radio app is good?
When is a radio app free of charge?
Which radio app has no advertising?
Which radio app works without Internet?
How much data volume does listening to the radio consume?
Which radio app consumes little data volume?
Which radio app is for Android?
Which radio app is for iPhone?
Is there a radio app for the PC?
Is the app from radio.net free of charge?
Conclusion
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