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Best Npr Up First Apps

191+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

4.6 avg rating
18 free apps
Updated July 2026

NPR is the household name in npr up first, but it's far from the only option. We track 191+ alternatives and competitors on iOS — many free, many higher-rated than you'd expect.

Compare top Npr Up First Apps (July 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1NPR: National & Local NewsNPR: National & Local NewsFree4.6★ (68K)YesNoAug 2026
2Apple PodcastsApple PodcastsFree4.9★ (2.1M)YesNoAug 2026
3BBC: World News & StoriesBBC: World News & StoriesFree4.5★ (86K)YesYesAug 2026
4WBEZWBEZFree4.7★ (623)YesNoAug 2026
5FOX News: US & World HeadlinesFOX News: US & World HeadlinesFree4.4★ (405K)YesNoAug 2026
6Conservative NewsConservative NewsFree4.7★ (46K)YesYesAug 2026
7Al Jazeera - الجزيرةAl Jazeera - الجزيرةFree4.8★ (83K)YesNoAug 2026
8Audacy: Radio & Sports TalkAudacy: Radio & Sports TalkFree4.5★ (92K)YesNoAug 2026

Top Picks for Npr Up First

NPR: National & Local News#1

NPR: National & Local News by NPR

Podcasts. Live Radio. Music.
Editor's Choice
📡 News
4.6😐(68K ratings)
FreeAds
#27in News
NPR: National & Local News screenshot 1
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NPR: National & Local News screenshot 3
NPR: National & Local News screenshot 4
NPR: National & Local News screenshot 5
NPR: National & Local News screenshot 6

Access breaking news, in-depth stories, and personalized audio streams from public radio. Discover podcasts, enjoy live music performances, and stream radio content from across the country. Enhance your listening experience with smart features and support public media.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Great but loses track after inactivity
  • 🚀 Excellent content
  • 🚀 Very high quality and reliable news
  • 🚀 Balanced and well-presented/organized news

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 App used 79GB of data in two weeks
  • 🐛 Broken, freezes, and crashes frequently
  • 🐛 Poor UI with ads
Apple Podcasts#2

Apple Podcasts by Apple

Audio and video podcasts
Strong Contender
🎬 Entertainment
4.9😞(2.1M ratings)
FreeAds
Apple Podcasts screenshot 1
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Discover and listen to a vast library of podcasts that entertain, inform, and inspire. Get personalized recommendations and curated collections to explore new shows. Seamlessly sync your listening progress across all your Apple devices.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Seamless integration with Apple ecosystem
  • 🎨 Sleek and modern user interface
  • 💯 Vast library of podcast content
  • 🔍 Helpful podcast discovery features

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Buggy and unreliable playback
  • 🤯 Confusing and unintuitive navigation
  • 🔀 Inconsistent episode ordering and playlist management
BBC: World News & Stories#3

BBC: World News & Stories by BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

Breaking News, Podcasts, Video
Worth Considering
📡 News
4.5😞(86K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
#20in News
BBC: World News & Stories screenshot 1
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Access breaking news, in-depth articles, podcasts, and live video streams from a trusted global news network. Enjoy documentaries, sports updates, and customizable alerts. Save content for later and listen to radio shows on demand.

What We Love

  • 🗞️ Excellent news coverage
  • 🌍 Global perspective on news
  • 🗓️ Timely updates

Room to Improve

  • 🔍 Lack of customization options
  • 📢 Intrusive advertising
  • 🐛 Buggy performance and crashes

More Npr Up First apps to explore

4
WBEZ
WBEZ
WBEZ
Chicago's NPR News Station
Free

Listen to Chicago's NPR news station live or on-demand. Access local and national news, podcasts, and investigative journalism from WBEZ and its partners. Catch up on missed shows with rewind functionality.

Live radio streamingOn-demand audio featuresPodcast library
📡 News
(623)
ad-supported
5
FOX News: US & World Headlines
FOX News: US & World Headlines
FOX News: US & World Headlines
Media, Politics & True Crime
Free

Access 24/7 breaking national and international news with expert analysis. Watch live streams and on-demand videos of your favorite shows, listen to podcasts, and stay updated on politics, business, tech, and more.

24/7 breaking news updatesLive stream and on-demand videoPodcasts and audio news
📡 News
(405K)
free with in-app purchases
6
Conservative News
Conservative News
Conservative News
Breaking Headlines & Politics
Free

This app delivers news summaries on politics, entertainment, and current events with a focus on conservative and center-based content. It offers a fast and easy-to-navigate reading experience for users seeking optimized conservative news.

News summariesPolitics, entertainment, current eventsConservative and center-based news
📡 News
(46K)
free with in-app purchases
7
Al Jazeera - الجزيرة
Al Jazeera - الجزيرة
Al Jazeera - الجزيرة
Global News, One App
Free

Access breaking global news, in-depth analysis, and live broadcasts from around the world. Stay informed with tailored stories, podcasts, and breaking news alerts on politics, sports, and current events.

Live news and analysisExclusive breaking news alertsPodcast content
📡 News
(83K)
free with in-app purchases
8
Audacy: Radio & Sports Talk
Audacy: Radio & Sports Talk
Audacy: Radio & Sports Talk
Your Stations, News, Podcasts
Free

Access your favorite radio stations, live sports talk, news, and podcasts all in one free application. Enjoy on-demand content, exclusive extras, and save your preferred audio for later listening.

Live sports talk and play-by-playLocal and national news radioOn-demand music stations
🎵 Music
(92K)
free with in-app purchases
9
The Hindu : India & World News
The Hindu : India & World News
The Hindu : India & World News
Local English Daily Newspaper
Free

Access breaking news and in-depth coverage from India and around the world. Stay informed on politics, business, sports, technology, and current events with reliable reporting. Get instant notifications and hyperlocal updates.

Breaking news notificationsPolitics and government updatesBusiness and economy analysis
📡 News
(3.2K)
free with in-app purchases
10
KNKX Public Radio
KNKX Public Radio
KNKX Public Radio
Jazz, blues and NPR news
Free

Stream live radio, access local news, and enjoy jazz and blues music from Western Washington. Listen to NPR programs, on-demand shows, and podcasts. Discover community events and studio sessions.

Live radio streamingLocal news and interviewsJazz and blues music
🎵 Music
(210)
free
11
Epoch Times: Live & Breaking
Epoch Times: Live & Breaking
Epoch Times: Live & Breaking
National, World News & Alerts
Free

Access authentic, in-depth news on world events, politics, and culture. Stay informed with breaking alerts, live streams, exclusive video series, and opinion pieces. Enjoy features like offline reading and text-to-audio.

Breaking news alertsLive stream notificationsExclusive video series
📡 News
(266K)
free with in-app purchases
12
WHYY Listen: News & Podcasts
WHYY Listen: News & Podcasts
WHYY Listen: News & Podcasts
Member supported public media
Free

Stream live radio, access on-demand audio stories, and immerse yourself in local and national podcasts. Rewind live broadcasts, replay past shows, and build a personalized listening queue for a seamless audio experience tailored to your schedule.

Rewindable live radio streamReplay past shows from the last weekExtensive podcast library
📡 News
(2.8K)
free
13
TuneIn Radio: Music & Sports
TuneIn Radio: Music & Sports
TuneIn Radio: Music & Sports
Listen to News & FM Stations
Free

Access over 100,000 live radio stations worldwide, plus exclusive news, sports, music, podcasts, and audiobooks. Enjoy personalized streams and on-demand content across all your devices.

100,000+ live AM/FM radio stationsExclusive news, sports, music, podcasts, audiobooksApple Music Radio streaming
🎵 Music
(1.1M)
free with in-app purchases
14
ooTunes Radio: Record & Alarm
ooTunes Radio: Record & Alarm
ooTunes Radio: Record & Alarm
Versatile ad-free radio player
$4.99

Access a vast global library of internet radio stations, including music, talk, and sports. Record live broadcasts, set alarms, and enjoy features like album art and YouTube integration.

Global radio station databaseRecord live broadcastsSet wake-up alarms
🎵 Music
(266)
paid
15
WBUR
WBUR
WBUR
by 90.9 WBUR, Boston’s NPR news station
Free

Access live radio streams and on-demand podcasts from a public media organization. Enjoy news briefs, trending stories, and the ability to download episodes for offline listening. Supports CarPlay for in-car use.

Live radio streamSignature podcastsHourly news briefs
📡 News
(4K)
ad-supported
16
WUWM Milwaukee’s NPR
WUWM Milwaukee’s NPR
WUWM Milwaukee’s NPR
by UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN MILWAUKEE
Free

Listen to live public radio streams, pause and rewind live audio, and access on-demand programs. Explore content, set alarms, and share stories with friends and family.

Live audio streamingPause and rewind live audioOn-demand program access
📡 News
(92)
free
17
WFAE Public Radio App
WFAE Public Radio App
WFAE Public Radio App
by University Radio Foundation, Inc.
Free

Listen to live public radio, pause and rewind audio, and explore on-demand content. Search for stories, bookmark favorites, and use the alarm clock feature. Access programs from multiple providers and share content easily.

Live streaming with DVR controlsOn-demand content accessProgram schedule display
📡 News
(128)
free
18
Capital Public Radio App
Capital Public Radio App
Capital Public Radio App
by Capital Public Radio
Free

Listen to live public radio, pause and rewind, and explore on-demand content. Search for stories, bookmark favorites, and set alarms to wake up to your preferred station. Access programs from multiple providers with ease.

Live streaming with DVR controlsOn-demand program accessSearch public radio content
📡 News
(237)
free
19
Hourly News
Hourly News
Hourly News
A One-Tap Hourly News App
$0.99

This app automatically plays the latest news updates from various sources when opened. It functions like a podcast app, offering access to numerous news feeds and allowing users to add their own custom sources. Enjoy background playback and seamless navigation through news segments.

Plays most recent news summariesAutomatically plays when openedPlays in background
📡 News
(508)
free with in-app purchases
20
93 WIBC
93 WIBC
93 WIBC
by Urban One, Inc.
Free

Stream live radio broadcasts featuring popular talk shows and personalities. Enjoy on-demand content from your favorite hosts while on the go. Content is restricted to users within the U.S. and Canada.

Live radio streamingOn-demand talk showsTony Katz show
🎵 Music
(205)
ad-supported

FAQ about Npr Up First

What are the best npr up first apps for iPhone?
NPR: National & Local News tops our npr up first apps ranking as of July 2026, with a 4.6-star average from 68K App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
Yes — 18 of the top npr up first apps we rank are free to download, including NPR: National & Local News and Apple Podcasts.
NPR: National & Local News shows ads and has no in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of July 2026.
We track 191+ npr up first apps on the iOS App Store as of July 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.
The NPR app provides access to the latest news, in-depth stories, and a personalized stream of audio content from public radio. It also features a wide selection of podcasts, live radio streams, and music content, including Tiny Desk Concerts.
Key features include a personalized NPR One stream, a curated podcast library with editor recommendations, full Tiny Desk Concert videos, live radio streaming, and connectivity with devices like Chromecast and Apple CarPlay. Users can also integrate with smart speakers.