# KCLU — user reviews > 67 indexed App Store user reviews of KCLU by California Lutheran University, rated 4.40/5 from 101 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kclu/id337798223/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kclu/id337798223.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 75 · 4★ 7 · 3★ 7 · 2★ 7 · 1★ 5 ## What do users think of KCLU? Overall sentiment: mixed **Pros** - 👍 Great local news content - 👍 Keeps users connected during emergencies - 👍 Easy to use and navigate - 👍 Good for staying updated while traveling - 👍 Reliable for NPR programming - 👍 Works well for WFH - 👍 Better than NPR app for local station - 👍 Informative and entertaining - 👍 Simple and straightforward **Cons** - 🐛 Frequent audio cut-outs and buffering - 🐛 App instability after updates - 🐛 Poor connectivity issues - 🐛 Clunky and slow loading - 🐛 Does not work well with CarPlay - 🐛 Audio skips, repeats, and stops - 🐛 Glitchy performance - 🐛 App closes unexpectedly - 🐛 Inconsistent local news coverage **Commonly reported bugs** - App keeps cutting out - App restarts and repeats audio - App closes unexpectedly - App is glitchy after updates - Audio buffers frequently - App does not hold signal - App freezes up sometimes - App stops playing after a few days - App has connectivity issues with CarPlay - App shows 'No Internet Connection' alert while streaming - App stops working after a few minutes - App does not run while multitasking **Most requested features** - Fix app glitches and bugs - Improve local news coverage for all areas - Ensure app works reliably with CarPlay - Optimize app for faster loading - Address connectivity issues ## Newest reviews (12 of 67) ### 3/5 — I love KCLU…however *2024-12-10* I have had the app for several years and just lately it keeps cutting out and rebuffing, sometimes just closes. Very frustrating. I hope they figure out what it can be. Until then, I’ll keep trying it. ### 3/5 — Glitchy *2023-09-29, version 4.6.9* I enjoy this app generally. But after the latest update, the app is extremely glitchy. It goes out every minute or so. I hope they fix the problem because it’s currently subpar. ### 4/5 — App is fine, connection to CarPlay… not so much *2022-05-27* Love KCLU. App functionality is fine. Easy to navigate. But I periodically have to delete then reinstall the app to get it to work with my car. Frustrating when it fails to connect halfway through my commute. :( ### 3/5 — Cuts in and out *2022-01-24* There are times when the stream just stops but if I switch to TuneIn app I get the broadcast. Not sure how to explain this but I've needed to delete the app and then load it again to try to trouble shoot. ### 5/5 — Worth Listening To *2021-09-13* KCLU provides the best news and programming on the central coast. The app seems to work better on my iPad than my iPhone, but no major complaints. ### 5/5 — KCLU *2021-01-10, version 4.4.69* Missed it so much after I moved I had to get the app. Nothing better. ### 5/5 — Works great *2020-08-03, version 4.4.58* Yes, it works great ### 5/5 — Nice and easy *2020-07-15, version 4.4.58* 👍🏼 ### 5/5 — Great resource for WFH *2020-07-10, version 4.4.58* Solved the no commute, no NPR with this app! Thanks for keeping me informed! ### 5/5 — Some of the only trustworthy news left! *2020-06-02* Tired of listening to CNN, Fox, and the rest blast their opinions with inflammatory language? At NPR you’ll find real conversations conducted in a respectful manner. What a concept! ### 5/5 — Love from Simi Valley *2020-04-15, version 4.4.8* Simi Valley is unique in the sense that it is a blackhole for any TV or radio signals. I am grateful that I have this app. Loving it ### 5/5 — Very enjoyable. *2020-03-09, version 4.4.8* Works well. I need to learn all it’s features. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — I wish it worked *2023-03-25, version 4.5.71* This app use to work well but over the past few months it is unusable. It buffers every few minutes leaving it difficult to listen. I have switched to another NPR app instead. I love KCLUs reporting so I’m sad to miss out on local content ### 1/5 — Does not hold signal *2023-02-14* This is the worst streaming app I’ve ever used. It drops signal, buffers, and glitches walking through the neighborhood. Same regardless of device or location. All my other streaming apps do not do this. I have mentioned this to developer and the station with no results. Now there are dropouts even on WiFi! Very poor performance. ### 1/5 — Does not hold signal *2021-04-22, version 4.4.69* This is the worst streaming app I’ve ever used. It drops signal, buffers, and glitches walking through the neighborhood. Same regardless of device or location. All my other streaming apps do not do this. I have mentioned this to developer and the station with no results. ### 1/5 — Skips, repeats, stops *2020-01-14, version 4.4.8* I had the KCLU app for about a year and finally deleted it. I live in North Carolina and used it to try to listen to Morning Edition later in the morning. The app would skip, repeat the same 5-10 seconds of a story, or stop all together. Very frustrating. Looking for a different west coast NPR app... ### 2/5 — NPR plus Local News *2025-07-14* As a recent transplant to the central coast, I was thrilled to find a local NPR station with an app. Lately, though, the app keeps cutting out, to the point where it’s unusable. I’ve reverted to my old SoCal station, whose app works great. I really want the local coverage and hope KCLU fixes the glitch soon. Others are describing the same experience with the app. ### 2/5 — Last update messed up the app (10/24) *2024-10-15* Since the last update, the app keeps cutting out, restarts, repeats, restarts again. It worked just fine before. In general, the station says it covers Ventura, Santa Barbara and SLO counties for news. It doesn't, 95% Santa Barbara - Goleta- Monticito centric. KCBX is way better for SLO County. Sorry Santa Maria, guess you need you own station. ### 2/5 — It’s ok. *2022-09-05* Wish they didn’t include so many images and sliders, making it load slowly. Needs strong internet to work properly. Even then, the audio cuts out at random times and has to reload. I enjoy the station, so I put up with the annoying app, but sometimes I just switch to apps by KPPC or KCRW. Both of them have simpler apps that just work. It’s radio, after all. ### 2/5 — Buggy *2021-10-02, version 4.5.25* Lately it has been very buggy. Stops playing after a few days until I delete and reinstall. Station is great though. ### 2/5 — App is clunky *2018-11-19, version 3.9.25* It frequently does not function well. ### 2/5 — Stops working after a few minutes *2012-07-02, version 1.0.2* This app stops working after a few minutes of listening and displays the "Cannot launch KCLU radio ….try again" information screen. In order to relaunch the app, one must quit the application, wait about 30 minutes and then relaunch it. I usually end up going to another NPR radio station instead. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — I love using this when I travel *2025-11-27* I use this app all the time. It is rarely down although it does happen. The content is obviously first class and I like staying up to date with my local happenings. I recommend it for sure. ### 5/5 — My fav app *2025-07-15, version 4.6.33* This is my favorite app. It’s my most used app. Thank you!! This is the only review I’ve ever written for apps. ### 5/5 — Love! *2025-01-21, version 4.6.33* I love this app. I can listen whenever I am able! ### 5/5 — Keeps me connected during emergencies *2025-01-13, version 4.6.33* WiFi is out but I can still get the best local news in real time on my phone with this app ### 5/5 — KCLU is the best *2024-05-12* I love KCLU Public Radio!!! They feature great local news and a large variety of public radio news shows throughout the day. ### 5/5 — Sleeping in on Saturday *2024-03-23, version 4.6.33* I like to sleep in on Saturdays now that I’m retired. But I missed hearing Scott Simon on Weekend Edition. This app allows me to listen to it live in Cincinnati. It’s nice to have access to programs in California too! ### 5/5 — Works well *2024-02-26, version 4.6.33* Works well. Simple but does the job. ### 5/5 — NPR plus Local News *2023-08-07, version 4.6.9* As a recent transplant to the central coast, I was thrilled to find a local NPR station with an app. The radio reception is spotty, but the app always works! ### 5/5 — I love using this when I travel *2023-07-22* I use this app all the time. It is rarely down although it does happen. The content is obviously first class and I like staying up to date with my local happenings. I recommend it for sure. ### 5/5 — Great choice for News, shows and life in general! *2022-02-16* I LOVE listening to KCLU on a daily basis. I enjoy all aspects of the station. No matter where I am in the country, I can listen in to my favorite station through the KCLU app. Thank you to all the gang at the Lutheran University campus for me well informed and up to date! --- *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 2026-08-16.*