In this era of internet and online presence, listening to radio has transited from the analog tuning of the knob to push the digital auto search in a radio streaming app. The presence of some of the best and reputable radio streaming apps has made listening to the radio much easier than ever.
Radio is not as popular as it used to be. Whether it is listening to music or revealing the latest news, you will always find radio as the best option to enjoy our best radio streaming apps
This is the reason why most modern smartphones come with a built-in radio. Now you can easily tune into different types of radio stations to enjoy your favorite music or other programs on the phone.
What is a free internet Radio station?
An online radio station is a live broadcast or recorded broadcast that is streamed over the Internet.
The best thing about internet radio stations is that they aren’t limited to geographic locations. This is different from radio stations heard on DAB and analog radios.
Although BBC Radio 2 is a UK internet radio station, it has millions of listeners around the world, which is made possible by its online radio station.
What are the Best Radio Streaming Apps?
The best radio streaming apps include Pandora, iHeartRadio, LiveXLive, AccuRadio and so many others. All of the different radio streaming apps mentioned coming with different functions and specifications.
Without a doubt, every radio app has its specific advantages and disadvantages. It is recommended that you select a radio streaming app that meets your specific needs.
Radio streaming apps are mostly made up of live radio stations that have queued music in combination with programs.
Many are real radio stations that have created a “feed” of what is happening live on their networks. While some are internet-exclusive stations, most of the radio stations are local.
They have DJs with regular programs and play local popular music and artists (like ska and reggae in parts of the Caribbean and the UK). The live content includes local commercials that cannot be skipped.
Some radiostations have thematic channels with similar categorization as the streaming services, e.g. by decades, genres, and moods.
Pandora
Pandora has been owned by the satellite radio provider SiriusXM since 2019. With Pandora, music is created “thematically”. You picked a number of artists and it finds out what your tastes are and it gives you music based on that style of music. Ads are common.
- Quality: 64kbps
- Files: N/A
- Library size: 30 million+
- Platforms: iOS and Android apps, Web UX, smart device integration
Sonos Radio
With Sonos Radio there are no jumps and the basic version has a bit rate of 128,000. But there are a lot of interesting things and channels. The Sonos app for iOS/Android/desktop can only be played on Sonos hardware.
The wireless streaming network is free with any Sonos system and has recently been relaunched with lots of new content including many types of genres and local radio.
Band network streams (Disney, ESPN, BBC, etc) and several specialty stations (“Sound System” and “In the Absence of it”) curated by none other than Thom Yorke from Radiohead, as well as broadcasters from Brittany Howard, Ludwig Garansson, Third Man Records, and Pride and Black channels are also included.
The company also announced a lossless version, Sonos Radio HD, for $7.99 per month.
- Quality: 128kbps, 16-bit
- Platforms: iOS, Android, and desktop apps, smart integration with Sonos devices
iHeartRadio
iHeartRadio is kind of a hybrid between a streaming platform and a radio service as it has over 20 million songs in its inventory that artists can classify and search.
It has over 1,500 searchable radio stations. Stations/channels can be selected based on the performing artist (i.e. The Rolling Stones). Music is determined based on that artist’s musical style – not necessarily the artist himself, much like Pandora.
The best part about using this radio application is that you can easily save and play your favorite songs.
Other than that, you can also easily discard a radio station that you may not like. If you want to make a list of playlists, you can easily do it depending on your mood or genre choices.
However, it is true that iHeartRadio is a free radio app for Android, but it does come with advertisements.
If you want to introduce additional features of this free radio app, you need to choose a monthly subscription for it. Of course, iHeartRadio is a great choice.
- Quality: 128kbps, 16-bit
- Files: MP3, FLAC
- Library size: 20 million
- Platforms: iOS and Android apps, smart device integration, Web UX
LiveXLive
If you’re looking for a fully-featured radio streaming app, there is nowhere else to look at the XiiaLive radio application. This radio app can help you get in touch with 50,000+ radio stations.
The best thing about this radio app is that you can easily tune in to your favorite radio station even without considering time and location.
Regardless of your country, you can easily tune into different types of radio stations. The best thing about this radio streaming app is that you can easily save your favorite radio station.
This way you can easily access your desired radio program. If you love changing themes on the Android app, you will surely find it really customizable.
Of course, you’ll always want to choose a radio app that allows you to use services based on your specific needs. If you’re looking for a free radio app for Android, you’re sure to find one of the best radio apps for Android out there.
- Quality: 128kbps, 16-bit
- Files: N/A
- Platforms: iOS and Android apps, Web UX, smart device integration, connected cars
TuneIn
While TuneIn appears to be very similar to iHeartRadio, there are a few key differences. TuneIn only has radio stations (over 100,000 to choose from) and podcasts (5.7 million) and is characterized by a bit rate of up to 320 Kbit / s, which provides excellent sound quality.
- Quality: 320kbps, 32-bit
- Platforms: iOS and Android apps, smart device integration, Web UX
Accuradio
This is similar to Pandora with personalized playlists. The streaming stations are structured according to many types of topics and genres.
AccuRadio is an independent multichannel Internet radio company founded in 2000 and based in Chicago.
- Quality: 128kbps, 16-bit
- Platforms: iOS and Android apps, smart device integration, Web UX
MixCloud
Mixcloud has thousands of stations with online DJs creating their own mashups and mixtapes. All of these are online radio stations that play specialized international music of all kinds.
- Quality: 128kbps, 16-bit
- Platforms: iOS and Android apps, smart device integration, Web UX
Global Player
Global (also known as Global Media and Entertainment) is a British media company founded in 2007. It owns the largest commercial radio company in Europe.
Global owns and operates seven core radio brands, all of which have a national network strategy. The service functions are completely free, but ad-supported content.
Get dozens of local UK radio stations, lots of channels, and themes (decades, chill, relax, etc) via curated playlists.
- Quality: 128kbps, 16-bit
- Platforms: iOS and Android apps, smart device integration, Web UX
Hit Network
This is like Global Player, but all of the content is from Australia! You will get dozens of hit contemporary radio stations operated by Southern Cross Austereo in Australia with local talented DJ and comedy programs.
- Quality: 128kbps, 16-bit
- Platforms: iOS and Android apps, smart device integration, Web UX
PCRADIO – Radio Online
If you can cope with slow internet speeds, then you need to look for an Android radio application that will let you listen to your favorite music even on slow internet speeds. Are you still in a dilemma? If so, then you don’t need to look anywhere other than PCRADIO.
This radio app has a user-friendly interface. This means that you can easily access multiple functions of this incredible radio app for Android.
Obviously, it is considered to be one of the best radio apps for Android. You can easily access many radio stations depending on the genre like metal, pop, rock, and many more.
The best part about installing this radio app for Android devices is that you can easily access hundreds of radio stations.
Worldwide FM
As the name suggests, this station has listeners from all over the world. Worldwide FM is based in London as an internet radio station in the UK but has partner offices in Kyoto, Los Angeles, Paris, Berlin, Tokyo, and Rio.
This is the perfect platform to immerse you in the underground music scenes and cultures from around the world.
Founded by DJ Gilles Peterson, Worldwide FM features a variety of segments, from live music to in-depth discussion. Many global ambassadors are also invited to Worldwide FM’s headquarters to shed some light on the local music scene in their country.
TuneIn Radio
The TuneIn radio application contains up to 100,000 radio stations. This means that you can easily connect your device to more than a hundred thousand radio stations.
Without a doubt, you always want to tune in to your favorite radio station. In addition to listening to music, you can also discover a new world of comedy, sports, news, and other radio talk programs.
If you want to enjoy ad-free radio music streaming, all you have to do is look at this radio streaming app device. This radio application is equipped with an auto mode. With the help of this function, you can easily change the user interface of the same.
This innovative radio application can also be used on different types of Android devices such as Android Auto, Google Chromecast, and Android TV. So if you are looking for one of the best radio apps, all you have to do is check out this innovative application.
Audials Radio App
Are you looking for a powerful radio app for Android? If so, then the Audials radio application may be the right choice. It’s a feature-rich Android radio app that can connect you to 50,000+ radio stations.
So you have great freedom in choosing the radio station of your choice. Regardless of genre, artist, and country, you can easily find a wide variety.
This application contains many incredible features. Apart from the advantages mentioned above, this radio app is also equipped with a sleep timer, video, and audio players, a car model, and an equalizer.
The best part about installing this radio app is that you can easily use the cloud to move your favorite music files or other content to an SD card.
Now that you’ve gone through the advantages of using this Audials app mentioned above, now you have to assume that this could be an expensive choice. Of course, it is not a paid application. It’s a free app with no in-app costs or advertising.
myTuner Radio
myTuner Radio is another compelling option for those who like traditional content from radio stations. It has an impressive collection of over 50,000 radio stations in 200 countries and territories.
It also supports podcasts, categories for different types of conversations, and music radio, as well as some little extras like a sleep timer and an alarm function. You also get support for things like Android Auto, Sonos, and most streaming sticks.
Some user reviews lament the occasional drop-in streaming, but other than that, it’s a perfectly solid app for traditional radio fans. It’s also free if you use the Google Play Pass.
Do I have to pay for radio streaming?
While there are numerous radio streaming apps that are worth paying for, there are also plenty of them that you can access for free
Most paid services also offer free trials. We have listed services here with completely free levels. However, you can upgrade to a higher level of service to remove ads, increase your music library, allow more jumps, or improve the bitrate stream quality.
How to tune into Internet radio
Knowing the callsigns or the name of a station is a quick way to catch up with a specific Internet radio station on a computer or smart device. Just type it in or talk to a smart speaker like Amazon Echo, Google Home, or Apple HomePod.
For deep-sea fishing in the great unknown, however, it pays to use a radio station aggregator: an online database of curated links to radio stations that can be browsed by location, genre, popularity, and – sometimes – stream quality.
You may need music to work – or you may need music when you’re on the go to clear your mind.
Reference
- 10 best radio apps for Android – Android Authority
- The Best Radio Apps for Android and iOS | Digital Trends
- Top 5 Best Radio Apps for Android – YourStory
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