# 97.9 The Box vs 979X

The clearest difference is rating: 97.9 The Box at 3.3 against 979X's 2.8. 979X's advantage is review sentiment (71% vs 61%). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

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

97.9 The Box holds the better App Store score, 3.3 against 2.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 6 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 61% of 97.9 The Box's written reviews are positive against 71% of 979X's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

97.9 The Box ships an update every 3 months, 979X every 6 months. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | 97.9 The Box | 979X |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.3 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/979-the-box/id385507395/reviews)** | [2.8 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/979x/id395133856/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **7** | 6 |
| Positive reviews | 61.4% of reviews | **71.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 months** | Every 6 months |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | Ad-supported |
| Size | 90 MB | 59 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Urban One, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/409075053) | [Cumulus Media](https://appshunter.io/developer/513445338) |

## What reviewers say

### 97.9 The Box

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/979-the-box/id385507395)

Listen to live radio streams and access exclusive content from your favorite station. Stay connected on the go with social media integration and unique features. This app is free to use and offers a convenient way to enjoy audio content.

**Highlights:** Live radio streaming, Social media integration, Access unique content, On-the-go connectivity, Audience measurement software

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ❤️ Favorite station accessible anywhere
- 👍 Great music selection
- 🎶 Consistent music play (when working)
- 😎 Ability to listen at work
- ✨ User-friendly interface (when working)

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent buffering and stalling
- 🐛 App freezes and goes silent
- 🐛 App forces close unexpectedly
- 🐛 Too many commercials
- 🐛 Unsafe ad interaction while driving

**Reported bugs**

- Random buffering
- App stops playing music
- App freezes
- App forces close
- App is out of sync

**Requested features**

- Fix buffering and connection issues
- Improve app performance and stability
- Reduce or eliminate commercials
- Allow multitasking while using the app
- Show artist info for each song


### 979X

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/979x/id395133856)

Listen to your favorite hometown rock station live, anytime, anywhere. This app features an alarm clock to wake you up to your station, real-time weather updates, and a simplified Car Mode for safe listening while driving.

**Highlights:** Live radio streaming, Wake-up alarm clock, Real-time weather updates, Car Mode for driving, Listen anywhere

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is 97.9 The Box free?

97.9 The Box is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is 979X free?

979X is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, 97.9 The Box or 979X?

97.9 The Box is rated higher. 97.9 The Box averages 3.3 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while 979X averages 2.8 from 6 ratings.

### Do 97.9 The Box or 979X have ads?

Both 97.9 The Box and 979X show ads.

### Which is updated more often, 97.9 The Box or 979X?

97.9 The Box ships an update every 3 months, and 979X every 6 months. Most recently, 97.9 The Box was updated on November 1, 2026 and 979X on November 1, 2026.

---

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