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Head-to-head · Radio Apps

iHeart vs Global Player

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score iHeart #3 in Radio Apps 9.1/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 1 of 4 features Visit iHeart
Global Player #6 in Radio Apps 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Global Player

iHeart leads on 0 checks, Global Player on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreiHeart · 9.1/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly iHeart
  • Most featuresGlobal Player · 4 of 4

iHeart scores higher on our rubric for radio apps: 9.1 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #6.

iHeart is the better fit for radio, podcasts and music across multiple devices. Global Player is the better fit for listeners who want Global radio with catch-up and replay.

  • iHeart fits best

    Radio, podcasts and music across multiple devices

  • Global Player fits best

    Listeners who want Global radio with catch-up and replay

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature iHeart 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Global Player 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.7
Ranking #3 in Radio Apps #6 in Radio Apps
Best for Radio, podcasts and music across multiple devices Listeners who want Global radio with catch-up and replay
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — £49.99/yr
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Docs Email, Docs
Integrations 9 integrations 7 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business Solo
Features iHeart 1/4 · Global Player 4/4
Offline listening ✓ ✓
Ad-free listening Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Sleep timer Not checked yet ✓ (best)
CarPlay support Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Stations listed Not checked yet Not checked yet
Platforms Not checked yet web, iOS, Android, smart speakers, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
Our review
Pros
  • Free access includes live radio, artist radio and the full podcast library.
  • Paid tiers add on-demand playback, skips and offline downloads.
  • Works with Alexa, CarPlay, Android Auto, Sonos and connected TVs.
  • Free plan includes live radio, catch-up shows, downloads and podcasts
  • Rewind live radio and replay moments, with eligible offline downloads
  • CarPlay, Android Auto, smart-speaker and Chromecast support
Cons
  • Unlimited skips and commercial-free radio require Plus or a higher plan.
  • Offline downloads are limited to All Access and Family.
  • Support is listed through documentation only.
  • Ad-free listening requires a paid subscription
  • Brand Plus covers only one music brand family
  • Subscriber benefits vary by brand
Our verdict

iHeart brings live radio, artist stations, podcasts, playlists and on-demand music together in one audio service. Its free tier is suited to listeners who mainly want live radio, artist radio and podcasts; paid plans extend the experience…

Read the review →

Global Player brings Global’s radio brands—including Capital, Heart, Classic FM, LBC, Smooth Radio and Radio X—together in a web player and mobile app. It suits listeners who want live broadcasts alongside catch-up shows, podcasts and…

Read the review →
  1. iHeartRadio Apps 9.1Free plan · 30-day trial
  2. Global PlayerRadio Apps 8.7Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • iHeart — where it wins

    • Free access includes live radio, artist radio and the full podcast library.
    • Paid tiers add on-demand playback, skips and offline downloads.
    • Works with Alexa, CarPlay, Android Auto, Sonos and connected TVs.

    Where it doesn't

    • Unlimited skips and commercial-free radio require Plus or a higher plan.
    • Offline downloads are limited to All Access and Family.
    • Support is listed through documentation only.

  • Global Player — where it wins

    • Free plan includes live radio, catch-up shows, downloads and podcasts
    • Rewind live radio and replay moments, with eligible offline downloads
    • CarPlay, Android Auto, smart-speaker and Chromecast support

    Where it doesn't

    • Ad-free listening requires a paid subscription
    • Brand Plus covers only one music brand family
    • Subscriber benefits vary by brand

More comparisons

All radio apps comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update