6 best radio apps for Mac and iPhone [Tested for speed and performance]
- What’s the best FM radio app for iPhone and Mac?
Eter is the top pick with over 40,000 global stations, a built-in sleep timer, and Apple Music integration. It’s available on both iOS and macOS (through Setapp along with 260+ other apps), making it a complete radio experience across devices. - Looking for sports, podcasts, or local stations?
Apps like Audacy specialize in sports coverage, iHeart combines radio with podcasts, and Broadcasts offers extensive US station filtering. myTuner Radio offers features like listening stats and alarm/sleep timers, and TuneIn brings you audiobooks (in a Premium subscription). - Need to bypass geo-restrictions or stream internationally?
Pair your radio app with ClearVPN (part of Setapp) to access region-locked stations or podcasts while keeping your connection private and secure. - Unlock all top apps like Eter with one Setapp subscription
Try Setapp free for 7 days to get Eter, ClearVPN, and over 260 other curated apps for Mac and iPhone.
Do you remember the good old days when tuning into your favorite jam meant wrestling with an antenna or tangling up in a wired earpiece? Then came the era of custom radio apps — sounded like a revolution, right? Well, it was... until you hit play, and the app hit back with endless buffering.
Thanks to FM radio apps, you can now listen to hundreds of free internet radio stations in a single app.
However, with a plethora of options, choosing a radio app that delivers the best listening experiences can be a bit tricky. That's why I have handpicked four best radio apps for Mac and iPhone. Besides radio, in some apps you will find unique features like AI-powered news curation and integration with Apple Music. Enjoy!
Best radio apps: Quick overview
If you need to make a quick decision, here are my favorites and their features. For a more detailed review, keep scrolling.
Let’s compare! | Availability | Radio stations | Integration | Unique features | Subscription |
Eter | iOS & macOS | 40,000+ globally | Apple Music | Sleep timer & vast station selection | Included with Setapp* |
Broadcasts | iOS & macOS | 6,000+ in the US alone | None | Extensive station list & filtering | $12.99/mo for premium |
iHeart | iOS only | 1,000+ in the US | None | Comprehensive access & podcast blend | $4.99/mo for premium |
Audacy | iOS & Web | 900+ | None | Sports news coverage & music diversity | Free |
myTuner Radio | iOS, macOS, Android, Windows | 50,000+ from 200+ countries | Apple Music (iOS) | Library of favorites, sleep timer, filters | Free with ads, $22.99/yr or $69.99 lifetime for premium |
TuneIn Radio | iOS, macOS, Android, Windows, Alexa, Google Assistant, Cortana | 120,000+ stations, 100,000+ audiobooks | None | Modern design, connect own station | Free with ads, $9.99/mo for premium |
*Setapp is a subscription platform that gives you access to over 260 macOS, iOS, and web apps. All of the apps are available without ads or hidden fees under a single subscription. Try it for 7 days, then continue from $9.99/mo + tax.
1. Eter — Best app with multiple features for Mac and iPhone
Eter is a simple radio app that allows you access to 40,000+ radio channels globally. Of all the radio player apps we tested, Eter boasts the highest number of unique features. For instance, you can view your searches and listening history days after closing the app. Also, Eter has pre-selected radio songs that automatically link to Apple Music.
Moreover, as a Mac user, you can access Eter from the menu bar while hiding the Dock icon for a seamless experience. But Eter's standout feature is the built-in sleep timer. Simply set the timer to 1 to 120 minutes, and there is no need to leave the comfort of your bed to turn off the radio.
“The wide variety of stations is impressive. The user interface is incredibly user-friendly. The ability to keep it readily accessible in the menu bar is a huge plus,” says a satisfied Setapp user. “Bonus feature: The seamless integration with Apple Music is amazing, especially opening the current playing track's album directly. Highlighting the specific song within the album would be the icing on the cake!”
The great thing about Eter is that it has both an iOS and a Mac app. Many of the popular radio stations are only available on iPhone, while you can only access some via web app alone.
The buffering time is swift, and switching from one radio channel to another takes an average of three seconds. Also, you can search for your favorite radio frequency or enter the URL manually in less than seven seconds.
What I like
- Quick buffering and radio station search time
- Sleeping timer for automatic turn-off
- Listening history and recent searches
- Unlimited number of favorite radio stations
- Perfect synch with Apple Music
What I don't like
- Lack of podcasts. If you need some, check out the best apps to listen to podcasts.
2. Broadcasts — Best radio app by station count in the US
Broadcasts is one of the biggest and most popular radio player apps for Apple devices. The app features 6,000+ radio stations in the US alone and is available in over 80 countries.
Moreover, Broadcast allows users to filter free internet radio stations based on the country, and you can easily see the list of stations available in your area.

In my testing, I found that switching between radio stations took us around 5 seconds, while searching for a new station took us approximately 7 seconds. Broadcasts also show each radio station's website URL or social media profile link.
But unlike Eter, Broadcast has limited functions — no sleep timer and no Apple Music synchronization. Also, you can only listen to a few channels for free, depending on your location. You need to upgrade to the premium version at $12.99/month to unlock unlimited high-quality channels and save more than five stations.
Additionally, the app’s "Recents" collection is restricted to a few channels. You can play some stations, but they won't be saved as recently played.
What I like
- The premium version is available in over 80 countries.
- More than 6,000 stations in the US alone
- Filter radio channels based on countries
- Provides direct links to radio station websites
What I don't like
- No integrated timer
- The free version only allows saving five channels
- No Apple Music synchronization
3. iHeart radio — Best radio app for podcasts and radio stations
For listeners who love to access multiple options on a single platform, iHeart is one of the most popular iPhone radio applications. The radio app seamlessly blends radio with podcast features. You can select your region's local radio stations from the available list.
For instance, as a US listener, you can access 1,000 radio stations across all cities and filter based on your preferred city and genre. But unlike Broadcasts and Eter, you can only access the internet radio free in your country and a few others. For example, US listeners can enjoy online radio stations from both the US and Mexico.
In my tests, the buffering time of the iHeart radio is three seconds on average, while finding and connecting with your favorite radio takes, on average, six seconds.
What I like
- Access to 1,000 live radio stations in the US alone
- Combination of online radio stations and podcast channels
- Customization of your favorite genre
- Playback and auto-replay
- Notifications for exclusive content and favorite artists
What I don't like
- An app for Mac is not available
- Limited options without a paid subscription of $4.99/mo
- Annoying ads on the free version
4. Audacy — Best radio station for sports news
Only a few radio apps can compete with Audacy when it comes to sports news. The radio app offers internet radio free to sports lovers — from the NFL to the NBA and MLB. You will find the latest sports news from the top. But beyond sports, Audacy also has music and podcast sections.
The music library features many genres, including pop, country, rock, hip-hop, classic hits, and more. Like iHeartRadio, Audacy is also browser-based for Mac users. However, you can also get it on your iPhone or iPadthat makes it one of the best radio apps out there..
While the radio app has a decent user interface, it lacks many features we see in Eter. For example, there is no option to set up a library, bookmark, or favorite items. However, you will see your recently played stations, and you can queue your playlist.
Like most radio stations on this list, its buffering time when I tested it was between 3 and 5 seconds. It took me an average of 7 to 10 seconds for a new channel.
What I like
- Lots of dedicated channels for sports news and podcasts
- Extensive library of music channels
What I don't like
- No provision for local radio stations beyond sports
- No dedicated app for Mac
- No filtering options for radio stations
- Very light in features
5. myTuner Radio — A global hub for radio and podcasts
myTuner Radio is a popular app offering access to over 50,000 live radio stations from over 200 countries — including music, news, and sports — plus more than 1 million podcasts.
You can listen to everything for free, but with visual ads. To remove them and unlock additional features, you’ll need a paid subscription.
Although it’s primarily designed for iPhone and iPad, the app works pretty well on macOS too.
If you’re a podcast fan, you’ll appreciate the app’s extensive selection, complete with country-specific rankings to help you discover trending content wherever you are.
I highly recommend checking out the tracking feature — it's so much fun! The app tracks stats like how many hours you've listened non-stop, how many stations you’ve discovered, and even the number of countries you’ve listened from — your own personal “listening passport.”
What I like
- The ability to build your own library of favorite stations and podcasts
- Sleep timer and alarm
- Handy filters by state, country, city, genre, and location
- Cross-platform availability (macOS, iOS, Android, Windows, and more)
What I don’t Like
- Some advanced features like CarPlay, auto-play on startup, sound equalizer, and visual ad removal are only available in the Premium version ($22.99/year or $69.99 for a lifetime license).
- The design feels slightly outdated.
- On macOS, buffering times can be longer, which may occasionally cause songs to freeze.
6. TuneIn Radio: Music plus audiobooks
TuneIn gives you access to over 120,000 radio streaming stations from around the world, covering music, news, podcasts, and even 100,000+ audiobooks.
What makes TuneIn stand out for me is that it doesn’t just let you listen — you can also connect your own radio station or podcast to reach its global audience.
The app works almost everywhere, including on Alexa, Google Assistant, Cortana, and other smart devices.
Unlike many radio apps, TuneIn has a modern, user-friendly design that feels fresh and clean.
Basic listening is available for free, but if you want ad-free channels, reduced commercial interruptions, and access to audiobooks, you’ll need to go Premium, which costs $9.99/month.
What I like:
- Clean, modern design
- Access to a large library of audiobooks
- Ability to search radio stations by location
What I don’t like:
- The filtering system could be more intuitive
- Lots of ads in the free version
- Missing useful features like a sleep timer or alarm
The overall best radio app for iPhone and Mac — My pick
Despite the fact that we have reviewed the best FM radio apps for different occasions, you might still want to see my overall best. After evaluating the number of radio stations available, unique features, reliability, and audio quality, Eter emerges as my top radio app pick for Mac and iPhone. Its packed library of over 40,000 radio stations, Apple Music integration, and sleeper timer set it apart from the rest.
The icing on the cake? A single Setapp subscription includes Eter and over 260 other premium Mac and iOS apps.
Ready to take your radio game to the next level across your macOS and iOS devices? Start your 7-day free Setapp trial today and dive into an unparalleled listening experience with Eter, knowing you’re making a risk-free choice.
FAQ
Does the MacBook have an FM radio?
The MacBook does not have a built-in FM radio app. However, you can listen to some of the best radio stations through third-party radio apps. Some popular options include Eter and Broadcasts.
How to listen to the radio on Mac?
To listen to FM radio on Mac, download a radio app through the App Store, the app's website, or app platforms. Install and search for your favorite radio stations. We recommend Eter radio app, which is available through Setapp – a platform with dozens of premium apps for Mac.
What's the best internet radio app for Mac?
Eter is arguably the best internet radio app for Mac based on its unique features: access to thousands of live radio stations globally, an integrated sleeping timer, and the ability to synchronize with Apple Music. It also grants users access to AppleTV internet radio.
How to listen to radio on iPhone and iPad?
You can listen to FM radio broadcast on iPhone and iPad through a third-party app like Eter. For added value, you can access Eter via Setapp and enjoy over 260 other premium apps on macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and web with a single monthly subscription.
Is there an app that allows me to listen to FM radio on all my Apple devices?
Yes, there are many apps for listening to FM radio across all Apple Devices. Eter and Broadcasts are two examples of radio apps that allow you to listen to radio stations on both Mac and iPhone. If you want to listen to internet radio on Apple TV, try the built-in Music app. It has a radio option with multiple stations.