Global Player
Global Player: A free radio and podcast app with replay, downloads and paid ad-free options. Ranked #6 of 45 in Radio Apps by our editors (8.7/10); pricing: Free plan; best for listeners who want Global radio with catch-up and replay.
At a glance
- Editor score8.7 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forListeners who want Global radio with catch-up and replay
- Free planYes
- Paid from£49.99/yr
- Offline listeningYes
- Facts checked5 Oct 2026
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
Our verdict on Global Player
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 playlists, rather than a radio-only stream. The Free plan includes live radio, catch-up shows and downloads, podcasts and playlists. Listeners can rewind live radio, replay moments and download eligible catch-up shows and podcast episodes for offline listening. Curated playlists, recommendations and a sleep timer of up to 120 minutes round out the listening features.
The subscription options are organized by brand coverage and content. Brand Plus costs £4.99 per month or £49.99 per year, and provides ad-free live radio, replay and catch-up for one music brand family; the specific stations depend on the family, and subscriber benefits vary by brand. Radio Plus costs £9.99 monthly or £99.99 annually and removes ads across Global’s 30+ music brands for live, replay and catch-up listening. LBC Catch Up Plus is £4.99 monthly or £49.99 annually for ad-free catch-up from LBC and LBC News. These tiers make sense for listeners who want fewer commercial breaks in particular Global content, while the free plan covers core listening.
Global Player is available on web, iOS and Android, with support for Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Alexa, Siri, Sonos, Google Home and Chromecast. That breadth is useful for switching between mobile, car and supported home audio devices; Chromecast support is specified for live radio. The service is a more focused choice for people interested in Global’s stations and related podcasts than for listeners seeking radio brands outside that lineup. Choose the free tier to explore its core offer, or compare the paid options according to which brands and content you listen to. Those who want ad-free access across multiple Global music brands should consider Radio Plus rather than Brand Plus.
Your product? Our editors can test Global Player in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $99/mo →
Global Player pricing
All 4 Global Player plans and prices →
Global Player fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | £49.99/yr |
| Offline listening | Yes |
| Stations listed | Not verified |
| Platforms | web, iOS, Android, smart speakers, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto |
| Ad-free listening | Yes |
| Sleep timer | Yes |
| CarPlay support | Yes |
| Deployment | Cloud, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android |
| Support | Email, Docs |
| Built for | Solo (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 7 integrations: Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Sonos, Google Home … |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | global.com |
| Facts checked | 5 Oct 2026 |
Global Player integrations
Global Player lists 7 integrations on its own site.
- Amazon Alexa
- Apple Siri
- Apple CarPlay
- Android Auto
- Sonos
- Google Home
- Chromecast
Alternatives to Global Player
- TuneInA broad radio and audio catalog, with Premium adding sports, audiobooks and select ad-free streams.9.3
- BBC SoundsA free BBC audio service for live radio, catch-up programmes and podcasts in the UK.9.2
- iHeartA free radio and podcast service with paid options for on-demand music and offline listening.9.1
See all Global Player alternatives →
Global Player vs the competition
- Global Player vs TuneIn
- Global Player vs BBC Sounds
- Global Player vs iHeart
- Global Player vs ABC listen
- Global Player vs radio.net
- Global Player vs Radio Paradise
Compare Global Player with any tool side by side →
Used Global Player? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Global Player for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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