Thunder 98.1 vs Bates FM
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Thunder 98.1
Stay informed with local news, weather, and traffic updates. Listen live to radio shows, interact with hosts, and receive instant alerts for breaking news and contests. Save articles for later and share content easily.
- Live radio streaming
- Local news and weather updates
- Traffic information
- Interactive host communication
- Breaking news alerts
- Article saving for offline reading
- Content sharing
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Get the latest news and information, weather coverage and traffic updates in the Sierra Vista area with the Thunder 98.1 app! Listen to the station live and interact with the hosts – you can direct message and call the show directly from the app. Receive alerts about breaking news, contests, and more before anyone else. Save articles and viral stories for reading later, and share on Facebook and Twitter. Key Features: • Listen to our shows, plus receive weather and traffic updates live from Thunder 98.1 Radio • Read the latest news, watch videos, view photo galleries & listen to audio content • Submit Photos/Videos directly from the app • Participate in contests and giveaways, plus get exclusive access to station scavenger hunts • Apple CarPlay lets you to stay focused on the road while listening • Get the latest weather for your area plus a 5-day forecast • Do not disturb modes for alerts (weekend and after hours) • Save articles for reading later (supports offline viewing) • Instant Alerts for breaking news, weather, contests, shows and more • Featured full multi-tasking with background audio and controls • Share the latest news on Facebook & Twitter • Supports AirPlay for wireless streaming to your compatible devices • 3D Touch for iOS Devices This is the latest version of the Thunder 98.1 app, and many more features are already planned. Please share your feedback from within the Thunder 98.1 app by clicking the “Send App Feedback” link in the menu.
Bates FM
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Bates FM offers 11 internet radio stations, completely free. Our redesigned app features: Every Genre You Love: 104.3 Jamz, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Country Hodgepodge, 70s Hits, 80s Hits, 90s Mix, All Mixed Up, Office Standards, R&B Hits, and R&B Mix spanning rock, country, urban, and decades of classics Full CarPlay Integration: Dedicated CarPlay app puts all 11 stations at your fingertips while driving Enhanced Features: Save unlimited favorites, Like stations to customize your experience, Modern intuitive design, High-quality streaming, No subscriptions or limits From classic rock to R&B, country to office standards - Bates FM has the perfect station for every moment.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: Bates FM at none against Thunder 98.1's shown. On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Thunder 98.1 | Bates FM |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.0 (2 ratings) — better | — |
| Number of ratings | 2 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 3 months |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — better |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 78 MB | 30 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Townsquare Media, LLC | Rick White |
In-app purchases
Thunder 98.1
No in-app purchases
Bates FM
No in-app purchases
