JOY 94.9 vs Local Sounds
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
JOY 94.9
Stream live content from Australia's only LGBTIQA+ community radio station. Access real-time show information, schedules, and "Now Playing" track details with album artwork. The app supports various devices and timezones for a global listening experience.
- Live radio streaming
- Current and upcoming show information
- Now Playing track details
- Album artwork display
- Timezone awareness
- Personal detail storage for SMS
Read full descriptionHide full description
Listen live to Australia's only LGBTIQA+ community radio station. JOY 94.9 broadcasts the authentic voices of the LGBTQIA+ communities from our studios in Melbourne, Australia to the world. Stream live, and get up-to-date information on the currently broadcasting show, upcoming shows, and the entire JOY 94.9 schedule. Get "Now Playing" track information including album artwork (when available), advanced stream settings and improved formatting, including supporting both portrait and landscape orientations across all devices. If you're a regular on the SMS line, you can even store your personal details (like your membership number) for quick re-use. JOY 94.9 is also timezone aware for our interstate and overseas listeners!
Local Sounds
Discover local communities, voices, and businesses through audio. This app combines live radio, local stories, and location-based discovery for a unique listening experience. Stream content from various local radio stations.
- Local community support
- Live radio streaming
- Local stories
- Location-based discovery
- Stream RFDS Radio Queensland
- Stream Triple Y Grovely
Read full descriptionHide full description
Independent Music, Amplified. Listen to Local Sounds Radio: Greatest Hits + Local Artists. Switch to the Local Sounds Top 10 Countdown Show stream from the Radio page or CarPlay. Enjoy live radio with song information and artwork when available, background listening and lock-screen playback controls. Explore Home, Discover and the Chart within the app. A persistent mini-player keeps radio controls close while you browse. Chart links and third-party music services may open separately. The You tab provides quick access to the artist dashboard, help and privacy information. Artists can open their dashboard in the phone browser to sign in, submit songs and manage their music. An internet connection is required for streaming and online content.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Local Sounds at 100% against JOY 94.9's 80%. Local Sounds also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 3 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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.
JOY 94.9 ships an update every 3 months, Local Sounds every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | JOY 94.9 | Local Sounds |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (3 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 80.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 3 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 6 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Watch — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.2 | 17.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 85 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | JOY Melbourne Inc. | Local Sounds |
Customer experience
JOY 94.9
Local Sounds
In-app purchases
JOY 94.9
No in-app purchases
Local Sounds
No in-app purchases
