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Head-to-head · Radio Apps

iHeart vs Radio Garden

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 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
Radio Garden #8 in Radio Apps 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Radio Garden

iHeart leads on 0 checks, Radio Garden on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 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 featuresiHeart · 1 of 4

iHeart scores higher on our rubric for radio apps: 9.1 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #8.

iHeart is the better fit for radio, podcasts and music across multiple devices. Radio Garden is the better fit for exploring live stations by city on a globe.

  • iHeart fits best

    Radio, podcasts and music across multiple devices

  • Radio Garden fits best

    Exploring live stations by city on a globe

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 ↗ Radio Garden 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.4
Ranking #3 in Radio Apps #8 in Radio Apps
Best for Radio, podcasts and music across multiple devices Exploring live stations by city on a globe
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Docs Email
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features iHeart 1/4 · Radio Garden 0/4
Offline listening ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Ad-free listening Not checked yet Not checked yet
Sleep timer Not checked yet Not checked yet
CarPlay support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Stations listed Not checked yet 40000
Platforms Not checked yet web, iOS, Android
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.
  • Rotate a globe and select city markers to tune into live stations.
  • Search by country, city, or station name and save favorites.
  • Available on web, iOS, and Android, with background playback on phones.
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.
  • The experience centers on station discovery rather than a broader radio feature set.
  • Curated playlists and destinations add less direct control than search.
  • A Premium subscription is described, but its current price and features are unclear.
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 →

Radio Garden is a live-radio listening service for people who want to explore stations by place rather than start with a preset list. Its globe lets listeners rotate to city markers and tune in, while search offers another route by…

Read the review →
  1. iHeartRadio Apps 9.1Free plan · 30-day trial
  2. Radio GardenRadio Apps 8.4Free 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.

  • Radio Garden — where it wins

    • Rotate a globe and select city markers to tune into live stations.
    • Search by country, city, or station name and save favorites.
    • Available on web, iOS, and Android, with background playback on phones.

    Where it doesn't

    • The experience centers on station discovery rather than a broader radio feature set.
    • Curated playlists and destinations add less direct control than search.
    • A Premium subscription is described, but its current price and features are unclear.
  • iHeart9.1/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

    A free radio and podcast service with paid options for on-demand music and offline listening.

    Visit iHeartFull verdict →
  • Radio Garden8.4/10 · Free plan

    A location-first way to discover live radio, with search and favorites across web and mobile.

    Visit Radio GardenFull verdict →

More comparisons

All radio apps comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update