# 88.9 WERS-FM Boston

> Public radio station app streaming diverse music genres and specialty programming. (iPhone/iPad app by Howard Simpson, WERS.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/889-wers-fm-boston/id471095024 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Howard Simpson, WERS](https://appshunter.io/developer/471095027)
- Category: Music
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.80/5 from 446 App Store ratings · 61 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 13.0 · 17 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2011-11-02
- Data updated: 2026-08-09
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/889-wers-fm-boston/id471095024/reviews.md

## What is 88.9 WERS?

88.9 WERS is Boston’s Uncommon Radio, Emerson College’s award winning public radio station.  Student run,  professionally managed, and listener supported, it plays a commercial-free eclectic mix of new and classics from local, alternative, indie, and iconic artists.  Specialty programming also includes in-studio live performances from local bands, showtunes, soul and R&B, acoustic singer-songwriters, and Jewish music and humor. WERS has been proudly serving New England since 1949 with music, news, public service announcements and special events of interest.  The app streams 3 stations: 88.9 WERS, ERS+ The Black Experience, and Standing Room Only, a 24/7 stream of the best of Broadway and Showtunes.  The app also provides playlists, music news, and program listings.  App users can also donate to the station and leave audio messages to be used on the air.

## Key features

- Stream 3 radio stations
- Commercial-free eclectic music mix
- Specialty programming (live performances, showtunes, R&B)
- Access playlists and music news
- View program listings
- Donate to the station
- Leave audio messages for air

## What do users think of 88.9 WERS?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🎵 Excellent music variety and curation
- 👍 Commercial-free listening experience
- 🌍 Accessible streaming from anywhere globally
- 📱 Recently improved app stability and functionality
- 🎙️ High-quality programming and knowledgeable hosts
- 🎨 Clean visual interface with album artwork display
- ⭐ Strong community and listener loyalty
- 🔊 Good audio quality and streaming reliability

**Cons**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes and freezes
- 📱 Poor landscape/tablet orientation support
- 🎮 Small, hard-to-click buttons positioned at screen edges
- 🔌 Inconsistent streaming and buffering issues
- 📐 Misaligned UI elements and text placement
- 🚫 Limited platform optimization for Apple devices
- ⏸️ Stuttering and skipping in CarPlay mode
- 🔄 Inconsistent playlist synchronization

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Privacy policy screen has no accept button
- App crashes when changing streaming quality on iPad
- Doesn't work in landscape mode on iPad
- CarPlay constantly skips and stutters
- Single-channel audio via Bluetooth (fixed in recent update)
- iOS 9 compatibility issues preventing connection
- App crashes on startup requiring reinstallation
- Menu and bottom arrow buttons require multiple clicks
- Streaming cuts out frequently
- AirPlay functionality broken

**Most requested features**

- iPad landscape/rotation support
- Alexa integration for smart speaker compatibility
- Auto-rotate functionality for tablets
- Improved button sizing and positioning
- Integration with BandsInTown or Ticketmaster
- Better CarPlay optimization
- Improved streaming quality settings management

## Recent user reviews (10 of 61)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/889-wers-fm-boston/id471095024/reviews.md

### 5/5 — App has been updated!

*2026-02-01, version 5.0.0*

I am a huge WERS fan! And George Knight fan! 
AT LAST the app was updated last year (mid-2025) and now works GREAT. Still a few glitches now and then with current playlist but infinitely better than before. Huzzah! 👍

### 2/5 — Great radio station, lame app

*2025-10-27, version 5.0.0*

Doesn’t work in landscape mode on iPad, on iPhone in CarPlay, it constantly skips and stutters (probably due to poor buffering algorithms), and on iPad it crashes every time you try to change the default streaming quality. The app was clearly developed on the cheap for multiple platforms, and so doesn’t function smoothly on any of the Apple platforms. Disappointing given what awesome music WERS plays.

### 1/5 — Stuck on privacy policy screen

*2025-03-01, version 4.55.18*

There is no button to accept the privacy policy. No way to proceed and use the app.

### 2/5 — Great station, app needs work

*2024-12-09*

I am a huge WERS fan! And George Knight fan! 
Alas - the app needs work. Control buttons are VERY close to edge of my iPhone screen - like it’s hard to hit them! Nice to have graphic of current song and recent playlist - but app needs some polishing up for user interface. Please! Could easily become 5 star app! 🤞

### 2/5 — Great music, lousy interface.

*2024-10-24, version 4.55.18*

It’s been years since the app was updated. Needs to be optimized for newer mobile systems. Buttons too small. Text appears out of place. 

Love the music but the app looks like it was created by someone in an introductory coding class.

### 5/5 — Love it but would love it more if it could be rotated on the ipad

*2024-06-04, version 4.55.18*

WERS is one of my two favorite stations. I have used the app every day for years and I love it. I just wish it could be rotated on the ipad.

### 5/5 — terrific music variety, easy to use app

*2024-04-27, version 4.55.18*

I've been a listener for about 8 years, first on the car radio when commuting.  I now stream at wers.org (I live just outside the radio signal's coverage) and listen on the app.

The music variety is awesome.  There's very little repetition, and WERS is a great place to discover new music.  They also play a good number of iconic songs.

The professional staff is very good.  And the student staff is amazing.  Their music knowledge is broad.

The app provides good quality and is definitely worth downloading.

### 5/5 — Great App!

*2024-02-16, version 4.55.18*

I love WERS and the app enhances my listening.

### 4/5 — Good app, needs a couple tweaks

*2023-06-16, version 4.55.18*

I found the app based upon 617 day.  The app works fine, but I find the menu and arrow on the bottom take a few times to actual click on.  They just seem slightly small, and I don’t have giant fingers.  Otherwise it works good.

### 1/5 — Great station, awful app

*2023-01-03, version 4.55.18*

Love WERS but the app stinks. The PLAY arrow is 3mm long and on edge of the screen so super hard to open. Opens about 25% of my attempts. I’ve asked the station and just wrote the developers.  I’m frustrated and hope it can be improved.

## Frequently asked questions about 88.9 WERS

### What does 88.9 WERS-FM Boston app do?

The app allows you to stream three distinct radio stations: 88.9 WERS, ERS+ The Black Experience, and Standing Room Only (Broadway and Showtunes). It also provides playlists, music news, program listings, and allows users to donate and leave audio messages.

### What kind of music can I listen to on this app?

You can enjoy a commercial-free, eclectic mix of new and classic music from local, alternative, indie, and iconic artists. Specialty programming includes live performances, showtunes, soul and R&B, acoustic singer-songwriters, and Jewish music and humor.

### Is this app free to use?

Yes, the app is free to download and use. While the app itself is free, users have the option to donate to the station to support its operations.

### What are the different stations available on the app?

The app streams three stations: 88.9 WERS, which plays a diverse mix of music; ERS+ The Black Experience, focusing on content related to the Black experience; and Standing Room Only, a 24/7 stream dedicated to Broadway and showtunes.

### Can I interact with the radio station through the app?

Yes, you can interact with the station by leaving audio messages that may be used on the air. Additionally, users can make donations to support the station directly through the app.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 5.0.0 — 2025-06-26

Brand new app with better performance and features

### 4.55.18 — 2020-01-07

minor change

### 4.55.15 — 2019-12-18

Icon update

### 4.55.14 — 2019-08-27

Logo updates and performance enhancements

### 4.55.11 — 2019-08-14

Minor logo updates

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## Related topics

[emerson college](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/emerson-college) · [hopto](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/hopto) · [wmex boston](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/wmex-boston)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-09.*