# Best Clock Radio & Podcast — user reviews > 102 indexed App Store user reviews of Best Clock Radio & Podcast by Mark Linthicum, rated 3.20/5 from 21 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/best-clock-radio-and-podcast/id502211159/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/best-clock-radio-and-podcast/id502211159.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 8 · 4★ 2 · 3★ 2 · 2★ 4 · 1★ 5 ## What do users think of Best Clock Radio & Podcast? Overall sentiment: mixed **Pros** - 👍 Intuitive and easy-to-use interface - 📻 Extensive selection of radio stations worldwide - ⏰ Reliable alarm clock functionality when working properly - 🌡️ Displays weather and temperature information - 🔘 Quick preset buttons for favorite stations - 💡 Dimming feature for bedside use - 🎵 Support for iTunes library playback - ⚡ Responsive and helpful customer support - 🔄 Auto-reconnection when streams drop - 📱 Works on both iPad and iPhone - 🌙 Fallback to preset alarm if internet drops **Cons** - 🐛 Alarm frequently fails to trigger - 🐛 App crashes and freezes regularly - 🐛 Bluetooth connectivity issues - 🐛 Sound distortion after extended use - ❌ Limited to 1-hour sleep timer - ❌ Requires app to stay open for alarm to work - ❌ Conflicts with iOS native alarm app - ❌ Limited station selection in some regions - ❌ Difficult to search and organize stations - ❌ Inconsistent performance across iOS versions - ❌ No landscape mode on iPhone - ❌ Removed Shoutcast station support - ❌ Station presets sometimes change unexpectedly - ❌ Difficult snooze/alarm-off button placement **Commonly reported bugs** - Alarm doesn't work on single-day alarms (only repeating alarms function) - App crashes on iOS 14.3 and later versions - Bluetooth speaker connection drops during night - Sound becomes distorted after several days of use - Alarm reverts to default 'Good Morning' sound instead of selected station - Sleep feature doesn't turn off radio as expected - Notifications interfere with alarm functionality - App won't work over LTE connection - Snooze button disables alarm-off button in landscape mode - Radio only plays for 3-5 minutes before shutting off - Stations don't play when selected from US radio list - App misaligns on screen and buttons freeze - Doesn't remember last song when using iTunes library - Conflicts with iOS 8 and iOS 9 updates - Paid app reverts to free version functionality **Most requested features** - Landscape mode support for iPhone - Extended sleep timer (up to 90 minutes) - Station search functionality - Ability to customize clock color and background - Skip/next-previous buttons for library playback - Shuffle feature for iTunes library - Moon phase display - Multiple alarm setup capability - Day-of-week assignment for alarms - Fade-in volume option - Custom station URL support - Better screen real estate utilization - Larger touch targets for buttons - Station rearrangement capability ## Newest reviews (12 of 102) ### 2/5 — Last update removed my alarm sounds *2026-07-28* I’ve had this app on my iPad for years and love it but since last update, even the sounds, that should be an alarm are only music stations. I’ve overslept twice this week now with only talking and not a beeping. **Developer response:** Thank you for your long-time support and for sharing this feedback. We’re sorry the alarm sounds are not working as expected after the recent update and that this caused you to oversleep.Please contact our support team so we can review the details with you. That is the most reliable way for us to determine whether this is a user configuration issue or a bug that needs to be fixed. We make contacting support as easy as possible with links available directly through the app. We’ll investigate and help get it resolved. ### 4/5 — Great (but a bit fiddly) *2025-09-12, version 8.9.4* I just downloaded the new version of BCR. (The previous version stopped working in background mode.) BCR is my bedside radio on an iPad and it’s my household radio on another iPad. Very good once you get used to its idiosyncrasies and somewhat limited selection of stations. But good developer support. Do NOT delete the previous version before installing this new one. ### 4/5 — Wish iPhone version could landscape *2024-09-20* I’ve had this app on my iPad for years and love it going out of the country and I’m not bringing my iPad so I downloaded it to my phone. I only wish that the phone version would landscape mode also. ### 2/5 — Shoutcast *2022-11-10* It was great UNTILL they removed “ shoutcast “. All shoutcast stations gone. **Developer response:** Thank you for your feedback. Shoutcast was never removed from the app and the stations remain available. If you are not seeing them, please contact our support team using the links in the app so we can determine whether this is a configuration issue or something we need to address. ### 3/5 — Not for iPhone X *2018-01-18* Quirky app and optimized for iPhone C screen **Developer response:** sneakersteve You might need to look at our video on our website to understand the apps functionality. The app is designed separately for each device, iPad, iPhone X iPhone SE. ### 2/5 — The BCR slogan 'I hate my clock radio' is ironic because I often feel like that about this one. *2017-11-07, version 5.9* When it works it's great but alarm unreliable and often has difficulties just streaming radio for listening. Typical support response the app is perfect line and you'e using the app wrong or don't have notifications on when you do. Other blame they use is iOS but no other app seem to have same issues. No amount of reinstalling helps. The alarm feature is also disabled if you want to run other apps in the background like radio steaming that do work, sleep cycle as back up alarm or meditation or sleep sounds you may want to run. Doesn't remember last song if you want to run iTunes library always reverting to beginning and no functionality to skip. Also doesn't let you totally dim screen for sleep mode. Sleep function is also maxed out at only 1 hour. Asked support where help guide is in case some of these things are covered but no response. Also even on iPad easy to turn alarm off while aiming for snooze, you have to get the exact smaller touch button instead of anywhere on the screen like sleep cycle allows. Good idea but user functionality in context with how and when the user will be using it (ie tired or half asleep) misses the mark ### 2/5 — Not compatible with iOS alarm? *2017-08-13* I like this app, and it used to work well, but a few months ago it started doing this thing where the app will not turn on the radio at the appointed alarm time if I also set an alarm for the same time in the built in iOS alarm app. Most of the time it doesn't work, but every now and then it does. Maybe it has something to do with slightly different alarm times. Wish you would fix this. [EDIT]: In reply to the developer's reply, Notifications are on. Seems to be a conflict with the iOS built in alarm. **Developer response:** Hi Pogymnast, It sounds like Notifications are OFF, the app needs notifications to sound the alarm. Contacting support would help you with this. ### 4/5 — Nice Idea but alarm doesn't work - fixed! *2017-08-13* This app is good for listening to radio stations but the alarm feature is intermittent at best. Sometimes it goes off but more often than not, it doesn't. Certainly not reliable if you have to get up at a particular time. Customer service responded advising that Notification must be turned on for the app to function properly. My only advice might be to note this in the user instructions or possibly in the instructions in the screenshots above. **Developer response:** MooneyMan252, it sounds like you have Notifications turned OFF for the app, turning them ON will give the app the functionality it needs to sound the alarm. Contacting support with any questions is the best way to get help. ### 2/5 — ??? *2017-06-19* Funny thing happen. I have the free app but just bought the 7.99 app. When I open the paid app it reverts to the free app and I don't get the option to set up the radio. Any suggestions? **Developer response:** Hi Cincuentaycinco, I don't think what you are describing is possible. i think contacting support would help you out. ### 5/5 — A Wonderful Radio Clock & Alarm App! *2017-03-16, version 5.3* This is a great app, easy to use, alarms wake me to my radio station, i love the button layout for playing radio in the day as well. ### 3/5 — Basic features missing *2017-01-08, version 5.2* 1. add shuffle for library. 2. add next-previous buttons 3. add song list appearance somewhere 4. add gestures for next-previous etc. 5. let us customize clock color etc. 6. show moon phase always 7. make a better use of the screen area. 8. add option to remove that stupid useless alarm, and make space for more radio stations. 9. let us customize background wallpaper/text ### 5/5 — Works great on my iPhone6! *2016-11-11, version 5.1* Looks modern & so easy to use. There are 9 buttons to program my favorite stations & my library! Very fast support. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Not Again… *2022-07-08* You have removed Fox News feeds again! Fox radio is the only reasonable talk station available on weekends. Please don’t remove them. Please don’t try to determine what stations I listen to by blocking those you don’t approve of. Please pardon me if it’s a glitch with every Fox station you offer, in that case I apologize for thinking you would act like twitter. **Developer response:** Thank you for your feedback. We do not block any stations. Fox frequently changes their stream URLs, which can make them unavailable until they are updated. We have added a feature that updates streams in the background and hope this has resolved the issue. If the Fox stations are still missing, please contact support through the links in the app so we can investigate. ### 1/5 — Stopped working since iOS 14.3 *2020-12-30, version 8.6* Used to work, now crashes when I boot it ever since iOS 14.3. Tried deleting and reinstalling and no luck ### 1/5 — No external speaker functionality *2020-06-17* What happened to driving Bluetooth speakers. The JBL speaker of mine cannot be driven anymore. Instead there is this lame iPhone speaker boost which is worthless. **Developer response:** Thank you for your feedback. We have an option in the alarm sound menu to force the alarm out to Bluetooth. If you need help locating it, please contact support or watch the demo video—both are linked directly in the app. ### 1/5 — No Bluetooth *2020-06-16, version 8.3.9* Unable to connect to Bluetooth speaker after last update ### 1/5 — Extremely disappointed *2019-10-29* The alarm doesn’t work. Would love my money back. Terrible waste of money. **Developer response:** Thank you for your feedback. The alarm is a core function of the app and does work. Apple places certain restrictions on how alarms can operate that you may need to understand. Please contact support through the links in the app so we can help resolve this for you. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work *2017-12-03* Music alarm doesn’t work. Won’t play the AM station I’ve selected. Notifications is on. Using most current iOS system. Restarted app still won’t work. Test 10 times and still nothing. I’ve wasted $7. **Developer response:** Maybe contact support or watch the demo video on our site to learn how to use the app. ### 1/5 — Sound becomes distorted after several days *2017-09-14, version 5.6* This app was pretty dependable until the last update. Now, after about a week the sound will become severely distorted and garbled. You have to quit the app completely and restart to fix the problem. This is getting to be a real pain so I am looking around for another app today. ### 1/5 — Wish I could give it 0 stars! *2017-06-30* Unfortunately the best clock radio app went out of business so I had to find a new one, especially with a sleep timer. This app is awful! Works when it wants to, usually not. Considering I'm an IT guy, I find this app to be infuriatingly inept especially when I paid for the full version! **Developer response:** Hi Foneteck, Do you have any specific issues? We have thousands of users using the app every day without issue. Contact support and they can help you with any issues you have. ### 1/5 — Doesn't work *2016-07-19, version 4.8* If you set the alarm for 2 minutes from now to test it, it works. If you set it 8 hours from now (even if you leave the screen on) it isn't going to go off in the morning. Really bad app. ### 1/5 — Alarm stopped working *2016-05-26, version 4.7* Great design, but...functionally, the shoutcast stations work only haphazardly. I could live with that as I don't listen to the radio all that much - minus only 1 star. But crucially, the alarm stopped working after a couple of weeks. No idea why. No change in my routine. It simply stopped sounding the alarm. Minus 3 stars for that. I was late for work twice. Can't have that. Would love to see this design work. Sadly, it doesn't. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Wonderful! *2026-07-30* The app functionality is above an beyond, I can wake up with an alarm to my morning radio station to get the news, listed to a podcast during the day while working, then listed to a boring podcast at night to sleep to with the sleep timer! Can’t get better than that! ### 5/5 — Good support *2021-04-01, version 8.8.4* I first bought this app in 2014 and use it every night. Last night after updating iOS on my phone it stopped working. I contacted the developer today he responded within several minutes and solved my problem. I was sure worried that I wouldn’t have my clock for a while but it is back working again. ### 5/5 — Best Radio App - No Regrets *2020-10-28* Great radio and features. Instant on. Temp. Weather. Easy to save you stations... up to nine presets from all over planet earth. Truly prompt & outstanding customer service. Get this app. You won't regret it. ### 5/5 — The Best *2020-03-16, version 7.4* I have used it for two years on my iPad as a clock radio and in my iPhone 6 without any serious problems. I would buy again. ### 5/5 — Awesome app *2020-03-08* I love my BCR. I have taken it when I travel domestically and internationally using it to stay in touch with home. I have had a few issues with it, but support has always been very responsive with any problems. The problems have mostly been with the radio stations themselves and not the program. I love the fact I can get most any radio stations I want, including international ones. ### 5/5 — Best Alarm Clock Radio *2019-11-14, version 7.2* I have tried so many alarm clock radio Apps but discarded all of them except this one. It is the one I now use every day and it does exactly what I need. The radio stations work perfectly and it has never let me down. The only thing I would say is that it takes a while to understand how it works and it’s not easy to understand and use all its great features, but once you do it is perfect. Well done! ### 5/5 — Great customer support *2018-01-15* I absolutely love this app and use it every day. I like how it has the ability to dim, choose a radio station or other music to use with an alarm, and the ability to listen at any time. If customer support is needed they respond very promptly and provide accurate directions and solutions. Love this app. ### 5/5 — Love this app! *2017-12-01* Works flawlessly. Have tried lots of others alarm radio apps and this is the best by far. Interface and ease of use are excellent. Worth every penny to be able to select my favorite stations to wake up to. Developer is also very responsive if you have any issues as I did with the free version. ### 5/5 — Love this app! *2017-06-05* I plug it into a Bose sound dock overnight and into car power on the road. I've used BCR for at least a year and love flipping among favorite radio streams around the world. I love jazz and have buttons for WBGO, Jazz24, TSF Jazz, CJRT, KKJZ, KNKX, plus one to randomly play Thelonious Monk music from my library. I'm not aware of anything remotely comparable. My most used and favorite app. ### 5/5 — Great service *2017-04-27* At first I was frustrated that I couldn't get the alarm to work, however it turned out to my fault. I emailed tech support and within a hour I had the fix and answer. It turns out I didn't have notifications turned on. It has worked perfectly since then! Great service!!! --- *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 2026-08-27.*