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The best radio apps for Android 2019

AndroidPIT best headphones 0995
© nextpit

To some people, radio may seem like a bit of an outdated medium, but the rise of smartphones has given a whole new meaning to the word. Radio apps let you listen to on-demand shows, livestreams and podcasts, all while adapting their recommendations to your tastes. You can even access FM radio on your smartphone.

From the most niche podcasts to the biggest commercial stations - everything is right at your fingertips, so you can spend the rest of your life listening to your favorite radio stations or discovering new ones. Here is our list of the best radio apps you can get for your Android device.

FM radio for smartphones

Theoretically, you can receive FM radio via your smartphone, although that's becoming harder with the removal of the headphone jack on many smartphones - the plug acts as an antenna, and since USB-C headphones don't have it, they can't perform the same function.

Some Android smartphones have a system app that can be operated like a conventional car radio - it searches for stations, will save your favorites, and you can listen with headphones, the internal speaker or via Bluetooth.

Unfortunately, radios are a pure receiving medium, so you won't be able to search for specific tracks or skip songs. Also, only a few FM radio apps will allow you to record. If you're interested in these things you'd best go for a web-based app like Audials (see below).

FM Radio Standard
Most standard radio apps are not really feature-packed. / © NextPit

If you don't have a radio app installed, getting one can be easily done via the Play Store. Something like Smart Radio FM is clean and simple to use. You can choose your country and then your preferred FM radio station. It's even better than a real FM Radio as it lets you access regional stations that you otherwise wouldn't be able to. You can browse stations if you are not sure what you are looking for and even favorite your most listened to station in your favorites list.

best radio apps smartradio
Smart Radio FM is one of the cleanest and easiest to use FM radio apps. / © NextPit

Audials

The app itself is very well designed, so it leaves a good first impression in terms of its functionality. The main selling point is the range of radio stations and settings it includes, as this is excellent. This radio fan managed to put together a list of his favorite songs within a few minutes. According to the developer, there are over 80,000 stations available and, as you would expect, includes numerous podcasts and recordings of interesting radio programs.

FM Radio Audials
Thanks to its excellent design you'll easily find the station you're looking for: / © ANDROIDPIT

If you want you can also transfer your music from Audials via Chromecast to your TV. Another added bonus is that you can record and save music without having to worry about copyright issues. This data can be transferred to an SD card. Audials can also be used on the PC .

In the Pro version, you can record pieces of music automatically and create large collections of your favorite hits. You'll be able to listen to this offline. We'll be able to show how to do this after we've completed a more detailed test.

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BBC iPlayer Radio

The official BBC iPlayer Radio app does exactly what it says on the tin. It delivers all of your favorite BBC Radio Stations from the UK and the World Service, including the ever-excellent Six Music and the engaging BBC Radio 4. You can also use the Catch Up feature to listen to shows again or ones you may have missed. The video and audio clips of live performances are also a highlight.

best radio apps bbciplayer
The BBC iPlayer Radio app on Android. / © NextPit
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NPR One

Radio is not only for listening to music! It can also be one of the best sources of news. This is why we couldn't skip the NPR (National Public Radio) Android app - NPR One. It allows you to listen to stories, podcasts and more, both from your local radio station, and NPR itself. The interface of the app is minimalist and easy to use, with the ability to pause, skip and share news.

npr one
NPR One has a simple and easy to use interface. / © NextPit

The radio app also adapts to your preferences over time, selecting stories relevant to your interests. However, top news of the day will always be present, so you can stay informed. The best part, however, is that you can listen to any content on the go without having to reach for your smartphone, thanks to compatibility with Android Auto and Wear OS. NPR One is one of the best Android radio apps for news, so if you're hungry for informative content grab it for free on Google Play.

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RadioDroid 2

We can also highly recommend the open-source app RadioDroid, which is available in the Play Store. Even if the app doesn't win any prizes for its design, the app stands out thanks to its elaborate layout and great functionality.

radio apps 1
Search for tags or just browse. / © NextPit

The app database is based on information available from www.radio-browser.info, a kind of wiki source for radio stations. Radio stations from all over the world are listed with key words. Through tags like 320 kbps you will find high-quality recordings, or select 30s or 40s for the decade of your choice. A tip on tags leads you to the list with the corresponding search results.

radio apps 2
Sign up, go back and admire the stats. / © NextPit

You can also record programs and listen to them later, even if you have no reception. Your data consumption is constantly displayed to you and you have the option to open the streams in an external player. Unfortunately you can not enlarge the buffer; the smallest fluctuations in the connection quality are punished with a misfire.

radio apps 3
You can set up a sleep timer and link to specific livestreams. / © NextPit

RadioDroid is immune to the power saving features of Android. Also using Android Nougat on Pixel the app and thus the playback continued to operate in the background. 

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Dash radio

If you do not want to focus on a specific genre or band, the free radio app Dash Radio is perfect for you. Here the Android user is the spoiled for choice and can choose from over 60 radio stations for their personal radio station playlist. There are also rock stations, radio stations that play only hip-hop as well as pure talkback. The overall music selection is very good, as the radio stations include new hits as well as real classics (Beatles, The Who, Rolling Stones). There are also regularly special releases, where well-known DJs will design a special broadcast program.

The Radio-App Dash Radio is therefore especially recommended for anyone who has a desire for several musical genres and are always on the lookout for new hits.

DashRadioAndroid
With Dash Radio almost all music wishes will be fulfilled. / © NextPit
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Loffee Radio

This one is a little left-field but just trust me, it’s one of the most unique radio apps on the market today. Loffee is all about lo-fi music to drink coffee too (you can see what they did there with the name…) but it is popular with students who want something chill to have on while they study. It's also great if you are in the gym, or cleaning your apartment on a Sunday - which is when I listen to it. The interface is clean a simple, just like the music. There are ads, though.

best radio apps loffee
The Loffee Radio app is very easy on the eye. / © NextPit

Tuneln radio

Tuneln Radio will satisfy nearly everyone's musical tastes. With over 100,000 radio stations available from around the world, it would be hard not to cover almost every genre. So, if you are interested in BBC radio programs, or want to know what is really important in the US, just take a look at the Tuneln Radio. There's not only rock, pop or classical music, Android users will also find various sports programs, cultural pieces, discussions and much more.

The radio app is not only available for Android smartphone and tablet, you can also access it with Android Wear devices as well as through Google Chromecast.

TunelnFM
Tuneln radio offers a huge selection of different radio stations. / © NextPit
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Last.fm

Do you like rock, reggae and techno, but you're too lazy to look for new artists and bands? No problem, because Last.fm has been designed to evaluates your music tastes, which you have already created at Spotify, Deezer and Google Play and recommends new music for you. Last.fm provides very good results overall and helps you to identify the latest trends and artists you may not yet know.

The app is easy to use and everything is clearly set out for you. Anyone who reviews and submits a recommendation will in turn receive recommendations from Last.fm to suit their personal music tastes.

lsfamAndroid
Last.fm searches for the musicians and bands that are right for you./ © NextPit
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Radio FM

Radio FM comes highly recommended for all the music lovers out there who want things clear and easy. Here again you have a wide variety of radio stations from all over the world to choose from, which are all set out very clearly. You can quickly add your favorite radio stations into your list and, just as quickly, switch between stations. The app also offers a wide range of settings to customize your list according to your own preferences, and even includes a sleep function.

FM Radio Radio FM
Radio FM: An easy-to-understand radio app for Android. / © ANDROIDPIT
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Rock Radio

Rock Radio offers more than 30 channels of pure, unadulterated rock riffs and filthy bass lines. This is one anyone who has a passion for distorted guitar and winding solos. Rock Radio features tunes in the style of soft rock, alternative rock, classic rock, blue, metal and more. There’s also a premium tier if you don’t want to free yourself from the ads. You can buy a 1-month subscription via an in-app purchase for $7.99.

best radio apps rockradio
Rock out! Almost every sub-genre of rock is available on Rock Radio. / © NextPit
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World Radio FM - All stations

Music is all about exploration, and what better way to travel though chords and melodies than with the music from other countries and cultures. World Radio FM lets you listen to radio stations from around the world for free. It’s a very simple, and kind of ugly, app but it does the job and that’s all that matters to some.

best radio apps worldradio
Radio from, quite literally, around the world! / © NextPit

Do you still listen to live radio, or do you prefer your radio stations to be more personalized? Let us know in the comments, and tell us if we've missed out any of your favorite radio apps.

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David McCourt

David McCourt
Editor

David enjoys staying abreast of the latest technology and newest Android apps. Outside of the office, he can be found playing snooker and writing bad 00s indie songs.

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26 comments
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  • 1
    onlinefmradio Mar 31, 2020 Link to comment

    Kindly include Online FM Radio App which is completely free and you can listen worldwide radio stations in single app.
    play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.appexpertstudio.onlineradio


  • 1
    liveradio Apr 19, 2019 Link to comment

    You are doing great work and I Love RADIO FM, 100% FREE.
    This is a lightweight Android Radio FM application that can work even at low net speed. The application has an easy to use interface, and all the radio stations are all around arranged, in light of various classifications music like shake, pop, traditional and so forth.


  • Sunny chawla 4
    Sunny chawla Mar 29, 2019 Link to comment

    There are some great apps, you suggested for radio. I am also an app developer if guys want various app related to music please do check my site and if you guys have any suggestion ping in the chat box.


  • 25
    Deactivated Account Mar 20, 2019 Link to comment

    My smartphone Mi A1 initially did not had actual frequency based FM radio although hardware support is present. But with Android 9.0 Pie update it was enabled and not Mi A1 is rocking a FM radio.


  • 2
    Homeless Guam May 31, 2017 Link to comment

    I did a search for *offline fm radio" and ended up here. Just bought a new phone (Blu Studio Selfie 2 running Android 6.0) and it uses the NextRadio app for offline FM radio. NextRadio is *FAR* inferior to the offline FM radio app that came with Androin 5.1 (which at least worked). Can anyone recommend an app to listen to local FM radio stations offline?

    Fat-oneMichael D'Angelo


  • 2
    Fileorgin Mar 19, 2017 Link to comment

    I'm using FH radio for a while. It's good one.


  • Ron Smith 2
    Ron Smith Mar 18, 2017 Link to comment

    Tune in Radio has been my go-to music app since my HTC Wing from T-Mobile, in 2007. I love the huge selection-- with ads or without. The only problem I've had is that I paid for the pro version, which was supposed to be a lifetime subscription. Tune-in Radio is now wanting to go to a monthly subscription. Every time I try to login I get a pop-up asking me to sign up to pay monthly. Not sure what my "lifetime subscription" is going to give me.


  • 26
    Andrew Burgin Mar 15, 2017 Link to comment

    This is why I am very angry with Samsung by removing the F.M Radio on there Premium phones just because they have to copy Apple all the time,trying to gain iPhone users to there phones,you should not have to pay for using applications on your phone's ,that's why I have never tried using radio aplications,instead I have kept the Galaxy S3 as my spare phone for listening to the Radio or listen to music while charging my Main phone

    Fat-oneSorin


  • Albin Foro 30
    Albin Foro Mar 14, 2017 Link to comment

    TuneIn is good on Android for not intruding its own ads - I use it for BBC, CBC, and local stations. Given streaming, I don't want commercial FM for music any more. I quite like the old "Sky" spin-offs with expert-curated stations and very few commercial breaks: Jazzradio, RadioTunes, ClassicalRadio, RockRadio and a new DigitalImport (EDM) apps and web sites, each of which has a lot of separate streams. (Spotify and Pandora on Android are pretty heavy with commercial breaks, where the web browser interfaces are not.)

    SorinDeactivated Account


    • 24
      Deactivated Account Mar 15, 2017 Link to comment

      I really like TuneIn as well mainly because its such a simple clean app. It doesnt spam you with a million other features.


  • cvsradio1 online 2
    cvsradio1 online Dec 4, 2016 Link to comment

    Greetings radio Land, you should give CvsRadio1 - Reggae Jam a license internet radio with unlimited streaming service online a try. We appreciate your positive support. We claim a worldwide existence.


  • 2
    Carmen J. Sep 4, 2016 Link to comment

    Is there anywhere in the world where in the United States for a free internet free data connection


  • 2
    Eddie Joint May 26, 2016 Link to comment

    I really don't understand these recommendations. They are ALL very limited. Try Radio FM. With this app YOU choose from almost anywhere in the world. I'm a jazz lover, and WBGO, New Jersey and KCSM San Mateo are 2 of the best stations in the world. But Radio FM gives you ALL the classical stations, ALL the jazz stations, ALL the pop, rock, country, ethnic ...... you name it you can find it.


  • 2
    ekstro May 23, 2016 Link to comment

    Maybe you can give a try to our new radio app: Replaio. You can find it in Google Play (search for "Replaio").

    Some interesting features: pause and rewind while listening to live radio, record and listen at the same time, record simultaneously (a number of radio stations at the same time), plan and automatically record cyclic radio programmes and many more.


  • Shannon Blevins 1
    Shannon Blevins Feb 24, 2016 Link to comment

    Thank you Buck, this heads up is appreciated as a lot of us do pay attention to what kinds of ethics companies have that we give our hard earned money to. I just wish everyone would!


  • 1
    tamil radio Feb 19, 2016 Link to comment

    Please suggest best tamil radio app like mukilapp.com


    • 1
      onlinefmradio Mar 31, 2020 Link to comment

      you can check out this app for Tamil Radio Station and more play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.appexpertstudio.onlineradio


  • 1
    Kevz Mends Nov 19, 2015 Link to comment

    Pure Connect is one of the best radio apps available. It has a very huge collection of stations


  • 3
    Flavio Battocchio Sep 9, 2015 Link to comment

    WWTuner is SUPERRRRRRRRRRRRR
    https://www.androidpit.it/applicazione/com.WWTuner
    or look for WWTUNER in Google Play


  • Steven Clift 2
    Steven Clift Jun 28, 2015 Link to comment

    If you love news radio, one super fast and simple app is 1 Radio News. Just search Google Play for "radio news" where it is normally the top result.

    The pro version, with more vetted stations from every corner of the world all with English, has the highest rating on Google Play of any radio app at 4.8.


  • 2
    Glenn Stevens May 15, 2015 Link to comment

    You missed Mad Genius Radio! This is the best, most customizable radio app available.


  • 3
    Larry Anderson Apr 13, 2015 Link to comment

    Why would it make any difference libby!!


  • Chad_Higgins 15
    Chad_Higgins Apr 13, 2015 Link to comment

    Slacker Radio should also be on this list.


  • 11
    Stuart Male Apr 13, 2015 Link to comment

    TuneIn Radio and Pandora are fantastic. Both free


    • 3
      ScorpioViking Apr 13, 2015 Link to comment

      Can't get Pandora in Norway + you all seem to be missing out on Tidal which actually outperforms Spotify.


  • 9
    Buck Nekid Apr 12, 2015 Link to comment

    You forgotten to mention that IHeartRadio is owned by Clear Channel Communications. A company that is as loathsome as any company in the music industry. Anyone who cares about the type of company they give their money to should avoid IHeartRadio and Clear Channel.

    Shannon BlevinsRiffs onlineScorpioViking

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