# Next Up - A Podcast Alarm — user reviews > 80 indexed App Store user reviews of Next Up by Landon Mitchell, rated 3.85/5 from 276 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/next-up-a-podcast-alarm/id1472608295/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/next-up-a-podcast-alarm/id1472608295.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 165 · 4★ 24 · 3★ 18 · 2★ 18 · 1★ 51 ## What do users think of Next Up? Overall sentiment: neutral **Pros** - 🚀 Peaceful way to wake up - 👍 Beautifully designed - 👍 Useful features - 👍 Excellent customer service **Cons** - 🐛 Unreliable alarms - 🔋 Battery draining - 🐛 Glitchy playback - 🐛 Inconsistent performance **Commonly reported bugs** - Alarms not going off - Podcast playback issues - Compatibility problems with iOS 14 - Subscription model changes **Most requested features** - Integration with Spotify or other podcast apps - Option to resume from last listened position - White noise/ambient sound options - Music playlist support ## Newest reviews (16 of 80) ### 3/5 — Great once a week when it actually works *2025-08-25, version 2.5.2* This app is great when it works. But it rarely works. 4/5 days it doesn’t start. And it also drains my battery like nobody’s business. ### 2/5 — Drains battery *2022-05-20, version 2.5.2* I have an iPhone we 2020 that already has a fairly small battery life, but this app drains 60% of my battery overnight (7hrs). That’s a no go. ### 1/5 — Drains battery and alarms fail *2022-01-25, version 2.5.2* Uninstalled. This app has literally been using over 20% of battery life (13 pro) just to keep one alarm active. I don’t even use that much battery on apps I use the most frequently…combined. ### 1/5 — Does Not Work *2021-11-28, version 2.5.2* It always says I have to download more podcasts or turn on the play unheard podcasts feature when it’s already on. ### 1/5 — Do better *2021-11-15, version 2.5.2* I really don’t even know why the developers would ask for a monthly fee when they’re literally using your Apple podcast library so there’s no reason for them to charge you anything. The idea is good but the execution is horrible, first of all I want you to pay for this. Secondly I would say it’s subpar at best? There is a lag in the playback, I adjusted the settings to try to fix this and it did not. I kept getting a message that there was an error in playback. Then it doesn’t understand even though I’m selecting the options provided when I want to hear the most recent unplayed episode it doesn’t listen to the options I have selected. ### 2/5 — When it works, it’s pretty good *2021-10-28, version 2.5.2* Unfortunately it only works about 50% of the time. I have to set up multiple alarms invade this one doesn’t work. Not what I was hoping for. Please update! ### 2/5 — Does not download new podcasts *2021-08-28, version 2.5.2* It does not work how I hoped. I just wanted to use it to wake up to npr's up first podcast but it does not download that mornings episode. Even when sub and set to auto download in the podcast app it does not work. ### 1/5 — Love the idea but doesn’t work *2021-08-14, version 2.5.2* The layout is okay, not very use friendly but it’s manageable. I like the added feature of having a campfire sound etc. to fall asleep to. Now the bad part, setting a podcast is quite tricky since not all episodes sync so you can’t find the one you want most of the time. Also it doesn’t always work!! It’s supposed to be an ALARM CLOCK but what’s the use if it DOESN’T GO OFF half the time?? And obviously it trains your battery but that may not be too bad since most people leave their phone plugged in overnight. Save your money people and wait until Apple releases that function for free in Apple podcasts. ### 3/5 — Works! Needs tuning *2021-06-11, version 2.5.2* I’ve been desperate to find an app just like this and thankful this developer has done the job. However, it needs work. Some days it drains the battery. Podcasts will suddenly jump start then stop then start again. Sometimes notifications for all the days I’ve got allocated podcasts start popping up all at once. It works! But needs a fine tune! ### 3/5 — Half-baked backend *2021-04-18, version 2.5.2* UI is pretty and the idea is so obvious that Apple should integrate it into their app, but it fails half the time for one reason or another. I only got two successful days out of my “5 free alarms,” and that’s after doing a bunch of extra downloads. It’s basically still in beta testing, and the publisher shouldn’t start charging until they’ve properly fixed the bugs or given users ample time to get used to the work-arounds. I can’t rely on an alarm that requires a rain dance and still only works half the time. ### 3/5 — Wish it worked *2021-03-12, version 2.5.2* I could not get this to work so giving three stars. Besides the first morning when it started blaring the podcast, not a one podcast played after that. ### 1/5 — Non consistent *2021-03-05, version 2.5.2* The alarms I have set keep saying download more material- so I go to my podcast library and download material and alarm is still not working. ### 3/5 — Bugs *2021-02-27, version 2.5.2* I loved this app when I had the free trial and when I paid for it it stopped working. I tried uninstalling and reinstalling it. And when I set the alarm to test if it works the alarm sounds very distorted. I would love for this app to work. And I’m willing to wait. I just hope it gets fixed soon :) ### 1/5 — DON’T SUBSCRIBE! ALARM DOESN’T WORK! *2020-11-03, version 2.5.0* NEITHER PODCAST NOR BACKUP ALARMS GO OFF RELIABLY! THE DEVELOPER’S REPLIES SINCE MONTHS INDICATE THAT THEY DON’T CARE, AND STOPPED FIXING BUGS. THEY JUST WANT YOU TO PAY $0.99. ### 1/5 — You have to subscribe after paying *2020-10-17, version 2.5.0* Paid outright when I first got the app and then later they switched to a subscription model. You should just grandfather the users that paid already in to keeping the app if you’re going to change your business model. It’s not worth the subscription since it’s too glitchy. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work. *2020-10-02, version 2.5.0* I don’t know if it’s because I use iOS 14’s Sleep function (with its alarm off) or because I listen to music while I sleep, but this app neither played a podcast nor played an alarm sound. It just sent repeated empty notifications to my watch, which I discovered after I woke up on my own. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Unreliable battery hog *2024-04-16, version 2.5.2* The app needs to be open in the background at all times to play the alarm. It burns through 35+% of my phones battery on a given day, that’s when it doesn’t glitch out and drain it completely. The app also doesn’t reliably trigger the alarm in the morning. ### 1/5 — Great concept if it worked. *2024-02-13, version 2.5.2* App never seems to work. ### 1/5 — Somethings wrong *2023-06-04, version 2.5.2* Apple TV HDR iPad Air 2021 HomePods x2 new stereo The program will not play the podcast At alarm time. Needs update? ### 1/5 — Didn’t Work from the beginning *2023-05-23, version 2.5.2* I did a test alarm, the alarm sounded like a broken record and didn’t turn on my podcast. When I went to retest I was told I’ve used up my trial period and had to pay 🙄 (written was 5 alarms and only one was used and didn’t work) will be trying a different app ### 1/5 — Had hopes *2023-04-19, version 2.5.2* Does not play podcast episodes ### 1/5 — Trash *2023-03-28, version 2.5.2* Trash don’t get this ### 1/5 — Backup sound cannot be adjusted *2023-03-23, version 2.5.2* I DO NOT recommend this app! Constant horrible sounds that cannot be deactivated such as an only telephone or a car horn play constantly throughout the podcast. No sound level setting for “background sound” no option to turn it off, it makes the app completely worthless. ### 1/5 — Paid subscription Not working on the new iPhone. *2022-09-17, version 2.5.2* Followed the instructions but it never worked. Support never respond. It’s ### 1/5 — Never works *2022-05-18, version 2.5.2* I tried couple of weeks but it never worked once. At first it made sounds but not the podcast I set. Later it even just no sounds at all. I had thought it might because I used free version so I paid for the advanced version but nothing changed. ### 1/5 — Alarms hardly work *2022-03-01, version 2.5.2* Most mornings I receive an error message saying there was an issue with the podcast and to refer to website. The website says it needs a new update but hasn’t been updated in a year. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Yes! *2024-01-20, version 2.5.2* Been looking for this! Wish I could edit which podcasts more easily but LOVE this app ### 5/5 — please make updates *2023-10-05, version 2.5.2* :) ### 5/5 — Best alarm for anyone who wants a great morning *2021-11-01, version 2.5.2* The exact podcast I have been looking for all my life. Between the easy to use interface, integration with Apple podcasts, and some groovy sounds to choose from - this alarm has made waking up something I look forward to. ### 5/5 — Peaceful way to wake up! *2021-02-17, version 2.5.2* I was looking for a more peaceful way to wake up in the morning rather than my phones alarm and this is perfect. I initially had some issues getting the alarm to work after updating my phone shortly after purchasing it. I emailed Landon and got a quick response detailing plans to fix it, and a week later it was better than before! Thanks for everything! ### 5/5 — Pricing *2020-09-23, version 2.5.0* Wrote a scathing review the first time but it got sorted out, was grateful for that EDIT : looks like it’s back to normal now and have updated my review as such, brilliant app I love it ### 5/5 — The best podcast alarm on the market! *2020-09-14, version 2.5.0* Sleek and user friendly. It’s made my mornings better! ### 5/5 — Tysm!! *2020-07-29, version 2.4.4* I’ve been looking for an app like this forever! all previous podcast alarms showed no promise. I have tried everything to fix my sleep and nothing motivated me to wake up as much as a podcast does! Also, I suggest adding a feature where we can’t close the alarm until the episode finishes or at a specified time like (an hour or 15min) this is for the extremely lazy people like me who might close the alarm right after the host speaks and then loses the benefits. Also you’re a real life saver!! ### 5/5 — Awesome! *2020-07-18, version 2.4.4* I’ve been looking for an app for years to wake up to podcasts in the morning, and this app does exactly that. The author has made it highly customizable, and he even fixed a bug that I reported in only a few days! My girlfriend and I are using this to wake up to podcasts everyday now. Great app! ### 5/5 — Music Playlists would be really great. *2020-06-29, version 2.4.3* I really love this app and think it looks awesome. However, I really wish that it would allow me to also have the feature of starting music playlists from Apple Music in the morning. ### 5/5 — The app I’ve been wishing for! *2020-05-12, version 2.4.2* I cannot stand the alarm clock on Apple - it is so outdated and just causes me anxiety when I wake up! I have been wishing for app to offer podcast as a wake up alarm, and my dreams have come true! best 99p I’ve ever spent! This app is so simple to use, and now I can gentley wake up listening to motivational podcasts - PERRECT --- *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 2026-06-10.*