iHeartRadio Logo
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4.2

Overall Score

LAST UPDATED: January 14th, 2024

iHeartRadio is an Internet radio platform. Since its creation in 2008, the service has expanded its offerings to include music recommendations, customizable stations, podcasts, and a radio network with content from more than 800 iHeartMedia stations across the United States. In 2014, iHeartRadio introduced the iHeartRadio Music Awards, which continue to attract hosts of popular artists. In 2015, artists Justin Timberlake, Taylor Swift, and Sam Smith won the “Innovator,” “Artist of the Year,” and “Best New Artist” awards, respectively. iHeartRadio regularly hosts concerts in Los Angeles and New York City, with ticket contests featured across the 800 stations. 

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The Good

iHeartRadio is a platform for curated music, with a wide range of features:

  • The service is completely free. There are no hidden charges or paid packages available. However, you can choose to upgrade, which is not free.
  • iHeartRadio offers 19 genre stations, more than 400,000 artists, 15 million songs, and 1,500 live radio stations.
  • Users may create their own stations according to genre or artist. These curated stations display lyrics and artist bios and include links to purchase songs from other vendors, like Amazon and iTunes.
  • All custom-made stations are commercial-free.
  • While listening to live radio, the website displays a station page with links to the station's official website. The page also displays the station's genre, location, and latest tweet, in addition to the current host's name and the schedule for other hosts that day.
  • Users can upvote or downvote songs as they play. Upvoting a song will make it play more often, while downvoting a song will ensure it never plays again.
  • Live radio station pages display the name, artist, and album art for each song that plays. This display updates constantly, even when users aren't currently listening.
  • iHeartRadio is available in an app.
  • The iHeartRadio platform also offers a wide range of podcasts, sorted by popularity and category. Categories range from Health and Food to the Paranormal.
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The Bad

  • As an online streaming service, iHeartRadio's music quality is subject to the strength of users' Internet connections. Songs are not available for download through the site, even for a price.
  • iHeartRadio does not allow users to make playlists of their favorite songs, which means that users are at the mercy of the station's song order.
  • Custom stations are limited to one seed, which means that users can't create stations that feature more than one artist or genre. Stations generated by artist-especially composers with a wide range of material-are rarely harmonious.
  • Users can't navigate music on the iHeartRadio site using their keyboards.
  • Compared to other curated radio services, iHeartRadio offers relatively few songs.
  • Users may only skip fifteen songs per day, and six per hour per station. Once a user has reached this limit, the only way to switch songs is to switch stations entirely. Returning to a station will only replay the current song. The skip limit also applies to songs longer than three or four minutes.
  • Upvoting, downvoting, or skipping a song cannot be undone. Once a song has been skipped, even in error, that skip counts toward the daily limit and users can't play it again until it returns organically. Once a song has been disliked, it will never play again unless a user locates it through the search tool and upvotes it independently.
  • There is no option to censor explicit lyrics.
  • Users can't rewind, fast-forward, or record music while it's playing.
  • When using Google Chromecast or the Xbox app, users can only stream iHeartMedia-owned radio stations. Radio stations owned by other media companies are only available on the website or the mobile app.
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The Bottom Line

iHeartRadio's extensive offerings set it apart from most other radio streaming services available online. It is available on more platforms, with more options for customizability, but interaction is fairly limited. iHeartRadio's curated service is best suited for people who enjoy live radio and don't mind switching stations or enduring mediocre sound quality to find music they enjoy. Audiophiles, look elsewhere.
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Star Rating

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3.7

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156 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

38%

4 grade

26%

3 grade

15%

2 grade

7%

1 grade

14%

Sentiment Criteria

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Quality

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Service

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Donna Barker

The only show I listen to is How Men Think with Brooks Laich Brooks & friends have the ability to connect with listeners - -dedication to quality with sincerity and sense of humour. All topics allow you to learn from others and improve understanding. Are these topics you want to listen to? YES Interesting Discussions? YES Their attention to correct amount of time spent , sensitivity honesty and genuine enjoyment doing the podcast is a reason why they are enjoyable. Gentlemen with character and intelligence. You cannot help but like these guys. Positive energy, you feel good listening to it. Not a wasted second. So good you may find yourself listening to episodes again in future.

4 years ago

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Ron Loupus Miami, FL

Real Oldies - Feedback and The Classic Rock Channel For the Real Oldies Channel" What a fantastic station. I listen in my car through my bluetooth and from my laptop. It is rare to ever hear a song repeated . You find songs that are not the average everyday oldies' stations played songs. You also play songs by artists that are the most well-known, so we hear lost songs and rarely played as well as their best ones. I would just recommend you do about 3-5 twin spins each hour if you can so we can jam with the same artist. Like a 3fer or twofer block of the same group. Maybe once every once in a while play 2 or 3 by the same group like an oldies rock block. :Stones, Bobby Vee, Guess Who, etc or BJ Thomas, Looking Glass, Edison Lighthouse, Alan Jackson, Turtles, Gary Puckett, etc. I believe its from Milwaukee. I live in Miami, FL Thank you for your consideration. Ron For the Classic Rock Channel? I love this station. I grew up with this music and try to see the groups when they tour. Recently saw the Eagles in Miami recently. I saw Paul Mcartney, Boston, Styx, Bad Company, Eddie Money, Heart, Foreigner, Van Halen, and some others. I love 2fer Tuesday. I have it on as much as possible. Can you do some 3fer rock blocks sometime. It can be on Tuesday or an alternate day to play a 3fer rock block, holiday weekend, or as a treat to your listeners. I have recommended your stations to many people. Thank you, Ron

5 years ago

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Rachael Las Vegas, NV

I heart radio came into the restaurant where I work for an event in Las Vegas (I’m a waitress). Everyone on the team who attended was so kind and called me by name and said “thank you”. Any company who is professional to represent the company in a positive light gains my trust, as I do the same whenever I’m in uniform. I am downloading iHeartRadio as a new substitute for my Pan**** app :D really rock on people :)

4 years ago

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Eddie Rios Ogden, UT

iHeartRadio has a place in my heart. It is a favorite app that allows me to keep my favorites handy. And it allows me to discover new music all the time. They have quite the library of music to keep you entertained. The tools are easy to use as well!

4 years ago

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Larson Riverton, UT

iHeartRadio is such a great music station. It always gets me motivated. I love to wakeup and listen to it. iHeartRadio is nice because you can get the app for very cheap and there are not very many ads. I recommend listening to it.

4 years ago

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Lisa Imes DeMotte, IN

Love this station. Easy to use, listen right off your phone.

2 months ago

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Sinister Babe Kyle, TX

Wasn’t horrible I just don’t like all the ads. I also feel like the wait time between music is super long.

2 months ago Edited January 15, 2024

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Alicia Mesa, AZ

I've only used this app once or twice but I have to admit that when we have used it, it's been a huge life saver. We have needed to use the radio, but not been close to one and this has been a great substitute! The service has been great and we've been able to find the station we were looking for to create our event a more special experience. I would recommend them to a friend!

2 years ago

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Amanda George IL

I used this streaming music service for about 2 months because it would mute itself and there would be no sound. It would never save my favorite tracks or podcasts to my lists and the customer service dept is severely lacking in qualified people.

8 months ago

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Ashley Hammonds Arlington, TX

This is slightly ridiculous! I finally recevied an email the day before stating: ** No need in stopping by the station, tickets are electronic, and we will reach out to you when they are sent out.**  Yet I won a prize on Wednesday November 9th as caller #9, was supposed to hear from marketing in regards to my prize by Monday November 14th, I left multiple messages on multiple outlets as I still had not heard from anyone, had to call corporate on November 15th to reach out to the station as there is no way to speak to a live person in the DFW area, finally got a text message and email from you yesterday where I promptly responded and sent everything requested and I still have not received the electronic tickets for today's event at 4:30pm. On top of everything else, when I called in as caller #9 that night it was for 5K in NFM and a meet and greet with the Property Brothers (I would love to hear the broadcast from 6:25 to 6:35 that night, Wednesday the 9th). Now I can't get a straight answer or even an acknowledgement on the 5k in NFM and still haven't received my electronic tickets. What is really going on? Is it normally this hard to get your prize? I've never won anything on the radio before and this has been the worst experience, rather than being fun!! This was truly a let down!! I guess I can assume that I will be missing the event, unless it's standard to get your prize at the absolute last minute.

1 year ago

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Anna Brock

For the most part, I like IHeart radio, I don't really listen to specific stations as much as I do genres. One thing that irritates the bejeebers out of me is that I can down vote the same artist or song repeatedly and it makes no difference, I keep getting them again. For example, I listen to fingerstyle guitar by Don Ross, Leo Kottke etc, this is a strictly instrumental (guitar mainly) style, yet I keep getting Joni Mitchell thrown into the mix. Not only is that vocals, but it is not even in the genre. Maybe your software that sorts the music needs a little tweeking or something. Please find a way to fix this problem/

7 years ago

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Nashali Vescovacci FL

This company is great because they provide the most current hits and offer a large variety of streaming music options. They also do a great job of interacting with their users to make an inclusive environment. They offer a diverse range of music styles on their streaming website as well.

2 years ago

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abw fsu Tallahassee, FL

iHeartRadio is the best for long car rides! I love how it goes from music, to news updates, and back to music. It might seem just like a regular radio station, but it's so much better because iHeartRadio is personalized! I only hear news and music that I'm interested in. Although I do not like commercials, at least they're relevant to what I want to hear. I love the wide array of stations to choose from, especially the trucker stations.

2 years ago

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Mike Ika West Valley City, UT

I subscribe to several music streaming services, but iHeartRadio is the one I first started with. I feel a sense of loyalty to them. I have never had any issues with them and I feel like their selection of music is pretty big. I dont get too many repeat songs like I do with some of the other providers.

4 years ago

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Michelle Rios Ogden, UT

My kids like that we are able to find our favorite radio stations on iHeart Radio! They listen to both country and 80's rock and they can find exactly what they want on iHeart Radio. And there are not too many commercials, which is awesome! Thank You iHeart Radio for giving them what they need!

4 years ago

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Reese Pleasant Grove, UT

iHeartRadio has worked well for me as it gives me access to great music, awesome podcasts, and the most popular up-to-date music there is. I can make my own playlists and also listen to different radio stations from around the country.

4 years ago

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wanda Saint George, UT

we are a huge sports fan and we love iHeartRadio because they have over a thousand radio stations to choose from. through iHeartRadio we stay connected and updates and score. we are happy with iHeartRadio and has had no complaints at all.

5 years ago

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Joseph Faenza Ashland, PA

I really enjoy using iHeartRadio for when I want to listen to my local sports radio but I’m out of the listening area.

6 months ago

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Ellis Ellis Bethel, OH

The WORST!!! We are currently consulting legal advice. Paid for all access and iheart has not honored the promise. They [iheart] have blocked a song by Clint Black, "When I said I do". Not amazing just a bully employed by iheart. Got a law suit for ya.

8 months ago

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kim held Vancouver, BC

Try to listen to CFAX 1070 however, seems like each time I turn on radio 1070 Adam S is on. Why? I understand turning his regular time slots m-f 9-12pm. Here on Sunday once again I am listening to Adam S. Is there no other 1070 programs that don't just replay Adam S's early segments? Can't people just listen on line to the old shows instead of taking up live air time with the same old same old. Really disappointed in iheart radio 1070. Not Amazing!

2 years ago

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Kaitlyn Rios Ogden, UT

iHeartRadio is an amazing company. They have everything from radio stations to music by artist. Their skip feature is the best. It is a wonderful company.

4 years ago

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Staci Powell Fruitland, MD

I've been really patient with their streaming glitches. I'm not one to complain or voice my opinion but please know, if you have All Access membership and have PAID $12.99 to build your own playlists like I've done, whatever you do, don't step down to the Plus membership without finding a way to save/log all of your songs on every playlist. iHeartRadio will delete all of your playlists and then not answer any of your questions. It's not right for iHeartRadio to DELETE what I PAID to create. Customer service keeps responding to my email (inquiring if I go back to All Access, will my playlists reappear) but they continuously provide me with LIES. They are telling me that all of my playlists are still visible and accessible. I wish that were true. Getting my lawyer involved.

5 years ago

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Alan lozoya

The streaming is great i can choose an artist and that type of music is played with very little commercial time. With a basic subscription you get unending music and happieness .

5 years ago

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Rodrigo Marcus

I simply love it, the suggesting songs system is really good the only way to really improve would be by becoming partner with a mobile phone carrier as deezer does in Brazil

5 years ago

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Makayla Holland Gaithersburg, MD

I like Iheartradio because i felt like i very wasted money on them. They play all new music that is doing well every time i listen to music on i heart radio i like it. I recommend

2 years ago

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take7 Sandy, UT

Love that you can use local and national radio. I like to search specific genres and find the stations to listen to with that. It brings a wide variety of music to your device.

4 years ago

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Zac Cannon Biloxi, MS

I used to listen iHeartRadio when I had Satellite in my truck. I loved when iHeartRadio broadcasted their music festival as well. They always play great artists, both modern, known, and upcoming.

4 years ago

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Michelle W Coraopolis, PA

Mikey and Big Bob constantly promote iHeartRadio, so one day I gave it a try. It's so nice to play the radio and not have to set up a queue. Especially when I'm in flow at work.

4 years ago

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Kylie Howes Provo, UT

iHeartRadio is a good way to get radio stations through the internet, but that's pretty much all it does. You can choose radio stations, podcasts, or their preset playlists, but there's really no room for customization. I've never been able to make a playlist of my own or curate their existing playlists with them, and so I would recommend using Spotify over iHeartRadio for that reason.

4 years ago

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Ted Johnson Pleasant Grove, UT

I have listened to iHeartRadio many times and I like their selection and up-to-date music that they have. They also have good input from the artists themselves and I get to feel connected and love to hear about them and the latest news.

4 years ago

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kelsey Saratoga Springs, UT

on the app or on the radio I love IHeatRadio! even though i feel like their songs are on a loop,they always have the trendiest songs playing and even 80's song that everyone wants to remember plus hear.

5 years ago

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Erin American Fork, UT

i love i heart radio because it gives such massive a variety of music. its only flaw is sometimes it doesn’t work with my phone but that’s over look able especially because the music it gives is so great!

5 years ago

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Eric San Diego, CA

While I do understand the appeal of this streaming service I prefer to have my music completely uninterrupted. With that being said if you are a fan of radio this is the place for you.

5 years ago

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Melissa Reinoso Herriman, UT

I listen to this when I am getting ready for work so that I can listen to 97.1 ZHT. They always have good radio stations playing and they are always the new hits that everyone likes to hear.

5 years ago

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tini mapu Orem, UT

Iheart radio is great! They actually get really involved in the community. They have concerts that future the popular artists from their station and app. There is no other station or music program that does that.

5 years ago

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Estefi Arreola Leyva Gilbert, AZ

I used use IHeartRadio a lot when I was younger, it was a good app. The app played different stations from around the country. The app is like an actual radio which I thought was cool. What was also cool, is you can play streaming music when you leave the app and go onto other apps.

5 years ago

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Stacie Gage Missouri City, TX

I listen to podcast during work on my computer, but when one episode ends and the next one starts the volume is different. One episode is loud, turn down the volume on the computer and the podcast goes way down. Or when you pause the podcast, then when you click play, the volume doesn't come back on at the same volume. When I open a podcast, I want to see all the episodes, I don't want to click see more - just load them all. This is so old and antiquated, PLEASE update! It takes a while to load when you first open the website, again update!

1 year ago

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Cade Boudreaux , FL

IHeartRadio is a good app. I will compare the app search as Pandora and are very easy to use but I wish it would have more skips.

4 years ago

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Toucanny4u Long Beach, MS

I can play my old seventies music from the good old days all this new music hurts my head and leaves a bad taste in my mouth

4 years ago

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Jim

It works no matter where I am. I can get continuous news, period music (e.g., the '60s or '90s), easy or listening music of all kinds.

5 years ago

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Homeowner

I like this because it is free and I can listen to a lot of different music and news from all over. The app works great most of the time.

5 years ago

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Sam Littleton, CO

It is disturbing the slow degeneration of your classic rock station 103.5 fox in Denver. The Rick Lewis show in particular has become the "go to" radio show for soft porn. If it isn't moaning on air while they give each other "massages" to the "Porn star birthdays" segment or their most recent decision to talk about "oral sex" while we all commute to our jobs. Thanks 103.5 for becoming the Sodom and Gomorrah of radio.

6 years ago

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Doug

Worst app ever. It has maybe 30 minutes of content per hour tops. Filled with constant ads and even worse, stupid idiotic top 10 TV shows or TOP 10 songs from 1972 with long 10 sec sound bites of songs we've heard a million times. I don't need to know that a third cousin from Led Zepplins drummer had a top 10 hit in Manchester for 1 week in 1973.

6 years ago

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Vy Ha Birmingham, AL

I heart radio is a positive listening experience because of how diverse and broad their artists are who are always performing on the show. I listen to Kpop so it’s always nice to see artists I recognize on the show.

2 years ago

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Karen Torino Tallahassee, FL

iHeartRadio is good for discovering new music and what is hot today. It is not my choice of streaming service though because I prefer to have remixes and different versions of songs that are often not available.

2 years ago

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Karen Torino Tallahassee, FL

I like using iHeartRadio to see what is new in music today or what is popular, but it is not my top favorite as it does not provide as great as a variety in music as some other apps do.

3 years ago

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Tyler Jenkins Hattiesburg, MS

IHeartRadio is really cool because I can listen to a radio built off of one artist and then learn things about the artist through the biographies and fun facts that they have.

4 years ago

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Dwhoush New Orleans, LA

Iheartradio always plays great music. I like listening to it on the road and on the app when I’m not near a radio. It’s nice to have that capability.

4 years ago

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Juliann Mecham Managua, MN

I would say I heartradio is a quality way to find good music. It gives quality songs to the similar type of music that you like, and is a new variety to find new music. I would recommend.

4 years ago

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Nathan D. Warrendale, PA

I haven't used iHeartRadio in a few years however I remember being able to find my favorite local radio stations from anywhere which is a neat feature. The concert they put on yearly is pretty neat to watch too, great artists.

4 years ago