# KCRW vs KXLU 88.9FM

The clearest difference is rating: KXLU 88.9FM at 3.7 against KCRW's 2.9. KXLU 88.9FM also leads on review sentiment (57% vs 32%) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 15.6). KCRW's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (monthly vs every 4 months). On price, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

KXLU 88.9FM holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 2.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: KCRW has 400 ratings behind it against 19, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 32% of KCRW's written reviews are positive against 57% of KXLU 88.9FM's.

KCRW ships an update monthly, KXLU 88.9FM every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | KCRW | KXLU 88.9FM |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.9 (400 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kcrw/id319014603/reviews) | **[3.7 (19 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kxlu-889fm/id362110325/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **400** | 19 |
| Positive reviews | 31.9% of reviews | **57.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Ad-supported |
| Size | 121 MB | 30 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **8.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [KCRW](https://appshunter.io/developer/314988073) | [Mobile Roadie](https://appshunter.io/developer/307989417) |

## What reviewers say

### KCRW

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kcrw/id319014603)

Access a curated selection of music, news, and cultural content. Enjoy new livestreams, real-time song information, and exclusive member benefits.

**Highlights:** Curated music and shows, New livestreams (Dance24, Vintage24), Real-time "Now Playing" information, Member perks, Redesigned interface

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 💎 Best music station
- 🎧 Excellent music selection
- 🌍 Accessible from anywhere
- 🔍 Helpful for music discovery

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy and crashes frequently
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 🔍 Difficult to navigate
- 🔇 Playback issues (pausing, resuming, skipping)
- 🔧 Broken functionality after updates

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on launch
- Incompatible with older iOS versions
- Notification badge won't clear
- Streaming cuts out frequently
- Eclectic 24 playlist not updating in real-time

**Requested features**

- Resume playback from where left off
- Improved song/artist information display
- Chromecast/AirPlay support
- Ability to save/favorite songs
- Landscape mode support on iPad


### KXLU 88.9FM

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kxlu-889fm/id362110325)

Stream diverse, commercial-free radio content from Los Angeles to a global audience. Stay updated on upcoming shows and send feedback directly through the app.

**Highlights:** Live radio stream, Commercial-free content, Diverse and eclectic programming, Upcoming show tracking, Listener feedback submission

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is KCRW free?

KCRW is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is KXLU 88.9FM free?

KXLU 88.9FM is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, KCRW or KXLU 88.9FM?

KXLU 88.9FM is rated higher. KCRW averages 2.9 out of 5 from 400 ratings, while KXLU 88.9FM averages 3.7 from 19 ratings.

### Do KCRW or KXLU 88.9FM have ads?

KXLU 88.9FM shows ads; KCRW does not.

### Which is updated more often, KCRW or KXLU 88.9FM?

KCRW ships an update monthly, and KXLU 88.9FM every 4 months. Most recently, KCRW was updated on November 1, 2026 and KXLU 88.9FM on October 20, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*