Best LAist alternatives: apps like LAist

10+ similar apps compared and reviewed

4.7 avg rating
10 free apps
Updated November 2026
LAist
LAist
Southern California Public Radio

LAist is great, but it's not the only option. Explore 10+ similar apps for iPhone and iPad, each reviewed and rated by real users. Find free alternatives, premium upgrades, and hidden gems.

Top Alternatives to LAist

LA Times#1

LA Times by Los Angeles Times Communications LLC

Essential California News
Editor's Choice
πŸ“‘ News
4.6😐(20K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
#13in News
LA Times screenshot 1
LA Times screenshot 2
LA Times screenshot 3
LA Times screenshot 4

Access award-winning journalism covering Southern California and the world. Browse digital content or the eNewspaper, save articles, and watch exclusive videos. Stay informed with breaking news and in-depth reporting.

What We Love

  • πŸš€ Smooth navigation
  • πŸ‘ Great UI design
  • πŸš€ Fast load times
  • πŸ’‘ Useful features like traffic alerts
  • πŸ‘ Comprehensive local and national news coverage

Room to Improve

  • πŸ› Buggy search functionality
  • πŸ”’ Subscription issues and paywall problems
  • πŸ”‹ Slow performance on older devices
  • πŸ‘Ž Outdated or irrelevant content
  • πŸ‘Ž Overwhelming with ads
4.7(68 ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
LAIT911 - Fire, Police, Safety screenshot 1
LAIT911 - Fire, Police, Safety screenshot 2
LAIT911 - Fire, Police, Safety screenshot 3
LAIT911 - Fire, Police, Safety screenshot 4
LAIT911 - Fire, Police, Safety screenshot 5
LAIT911 - Fire, Police, Safety screenshot 6

Receive real-time emergency alerts for the Los Angeles area. This system combines data from multiple agencies, including fire and police departments, to provide instant notifications about incidents that may affect your safety. Stay informed with detailed location information, press releases, and radio transmissions.

4.5😞(6.2K ratings)
FreeAds
KTLA 5 News Los Angeles screenshot 1
KTLA 5 News Los Angeles screenshot 2
KTLA 5 News Los Angeles screenshot 3
KTLA 5 News Los Angeles screenshot 4
KTLA 5 News Los Angeles screenshot 5

Stay informed with local and breaking news from Southern California. Watch live broadcasts, get real-time updates, and access in-depth coverage of your community and beyond. Features include video reports, weather forecasts, and customizable alerts.

What We Love

  • ❀️ Love KTLA news
  • πŸ‘ Great news coverage and reporting
  • πŸ‘ Entertaining and engaging news team

Room to Improve

  • πŸ› App constantly crashes or freezes
  • πŸ” Too many ads and poor ad placement
  • πŸ” Frequent login/update issues
  • πŸ” Video playback issues and sync problems
  • πŸ” Cluttered and outdated user interface

More apps like LAist

4
NBC LA: News, Weather, Live TV
NBC LA: News, Weather, Live TV
NBC LA: News, Weather, Live TV
Watch Los Angeles Local News
Free

Stay informed with local news, weather forecasts, and breaking headlines from Los Angeles and Southern California. Access a free 24/7 streaming news channel and receive customizable alerts for news and weather tailored to your location.

Customizable news alertsLocal weather forecastsLive Doppler radar
πŸ“‘ News
(1.5K)
free with in-app purchases
5
KQED: Bay Area Culture & News
KQED: Bay Area Culture & News
KQED: Bay Area Culture & News
Read, Listen, and Watch
Free

Access trusted local news, live radio, and television streams from the Bay Area. Discover original podcasts and video series, and stay updated on community events. Personalize your feed with topics that interest you most.

Personalized news feedLive TV and radio streamingOriginal podcasts and video series
πŸ“‘ News
(9.4K)
free
6
OCRegister
OCRegister
OCRegister
by MediaNews Group
Free

Access personalized news content, save articles for later, and receive custom push notifications. Enjoy the digital replica of the newspaper and play included games. Read content offline and navigate seamlessly.

Personalized news recommendationsSave articles for laterCustomizable push notifications
πŸ“‘ News
(1.2K)
free with in-app purchases
7
ABC7 Los Angeles
ABC7 Los Angeles
ABC7 Los Angeles
Watch Live News & Local Shows
Free

Stay informed with breaking news alerts and live newscasts. Access local and national top stories, customize your news feed, and get detailed weather forecasts and alerts. Watch exclusive video clips and search for specific stories.

Breaking news alertsWatch live newscastsOn-demand video clips
πŸ“‘ News
(39K)
free with in-app purchases
8
LA TACO
LA TACO
LA TACO
The Official App of L.A. TACO
Free

Discover news and information about food, culture, and community in Los Angeles. This platform provides street-level journalism from all corners of L.A. county, catering to those passionate about the city.

Los Angeles news coverageFood and culture informationCommunity insights
πŸ“‘ News
(23)
free with in-app purchases
9
WNYC
WNYC
WNYC
Tap into the NY conversation
Free

Access live and on-demand news, commentary, culture, storytelling, and music from New York's public radio station and its partners. Save podcasts for offline listening and stay updated on local and national headlines.

Live broadcast streamingOn-demand news and commentaryPodcast saving for offline listening
πŸ“‘ News
(795)
free with in-app purchases
10
WBUR
WBUR
WBUR
by 90.9 WBUR, Boston’s NPR news station
Free

Access trusted news and stories from Greater Boston and beyond with live streams and signature podcasts. Enjoy hourly news briefs, on-demand listening, and offline downloads. Play word games and stay updated on local events.

Live radio stream with pause/rewindOn-demand listening to signature podcastsDownload episodes for offline playback
πŸ“‘ News
(4K)
ad-supported