iOS · iPhone & CarPlay
Transistor Radio
Live radio, done right.
50,000+ stations from around the world. No ads, no accounts, no subscriptions. One purchase, yours forever.
No ads
No tracking
No accounts
CarPlay
Free with 5 favorites · $4.99 lifetime unlock
Features
Built for listeners who care.
50,000+ live stations
Browse broadcasters from every country, genre, and language — all streamed directly from their own servers.
No ads. Ever.
Not on the free tier. Not on the paid tier. We will never interrupt your listening with advertising.
Privacy-first by design
No accounts. No analytics. No identifiers. No third-party SDKs. Nothing leaves your device except the stream you asked for.
CarPlay, done properly
A dedicated CarPlay interface designed for driving, not just shrunk down from the phone app.
Modern iOS, retro soul
Dynamic Island, Live Activities, and Lock Screen widgets — with a warm, retro-inspired aesthetic.
Unlimited favorites
Save as many stations as you want. Add your own custom stream URLs. Free tier keeps up to 5.
Comparison
How Transistor Radio compares.
| Feature |
Transistor Radio
|
Typical Radio Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free (5 favorites) / $4.99 one-time lifetime unlock | Free (ad-supported) / monthly or yearly subscription |
| Ad experience | No ads, ever — on any tier | Ads on free tier; ad-free only with paid subscription |
| Privacy | No tracking, no accounts, no third-party SDKs, no diagnostics | Usually requires account; standard ad-tracking and analytics |
| CarPlay support | Included in lifetime unlock | Often locked behind highest subscription tier |
| Custom stations | Add your own station URLs (lifetime unlock) | Rarely supported or limited |
| Design philosophy | Latest iOS design principles (Dynamic Island, Live Activities, Lock Screen) with a retro-inspired aesthetic | Standard list-based UI; rarely updated for new iOS features |
| Account required | No | Yes, in most cases |
| Subscription fatigue | None — pay once, own forever | Recurring monthly / yearly charges |
Honest comparison
Where each one wins.
Where Transistor Radio wins
-
One-Time Purchase, Not a Subscription: Most radio apps charge you every month or year. Transistor Radio is a single $4.99 purchase. No recurring charges, no hidden fees, no subscription fatigue. You own it forever.
-
No Ads on Any Tier: Competing apps show ads on their free tier and force you to subscribe to remove them. Transistor Radio has no ads, ever — not on the free tier, not on the paid tier.
-
Privacy-First Architecture: No identifiers, no tracking, no third-party SDKs, no diagnostics, and no account required. Your listening habits stay on your device.
-
Modern iOS Design, Retro Soul: Transistor Radio uses the latest iOS design principles — Dynamic Island, Live Activities, Lock Screen widgets, and full CarPlay integration — while keeping a distinctive retro aesthetic that feels warm and familiar.
-
Elegant, Easy-to-Use Interface: Designed to be intuitive from the first launch. No clutter. No confusing menus. Just live radio, done right.
-
Custom Stations and Unlimited Favorites: Add your own station URLs and save as many favorites as you want with the lifetime unlock.
Where typical radio apps win
-
Larger Free Tier: Many competing apps offer a more extensive free listening experience with fewer limitations than Transistor Radio's 5-favorite free tier.
-
Podcast and On-Demand Content: If you need podcasts, audiobooks, or on-demand shows alongside live radio, apps with larger content libraries are the better choice.
-
Social and Sharing Features: Some apps include social feeds, user-generated playlists, and community features that Transistor Radio does not offer.
-
Completely Free Option: If you are unwilling to pay any amount, a fully free ad-supported app will always be cheaper than a $4.99 lifetime purchase.
Questions
Frequently asked.
What is Transistor Radio?
Transistor Radio is a privacy-first iOS radio streaming app that offers ad-free access to 50,000+ global stations for a one-time lifetime purchase. It includes CarPlay support, Dynamic Island integration, and a retro-inspired design.
Is Transistor Radio free?
Yes. Transistor Radio is free to download with up to 5 favorite stations. A one-time purchase of $4.99 (Lifetime unlock) adds CarPlay support, unlimited favorites, custom station URLs, and Live Activities. There is no subscription.
Does Transistor Radio show ads?
No. Transistor Radio has no ads on any tier — not on the free tier and not on the paid tier. Your attention isn't for sale.
Does Transistor Radio track me?
No. Transistor Radio has no tracking, no analytics, no third-party SDKs, no diagnostics, no identifiers, and requires no account. Your listening habits stay on your device.
Does Transistor Radio support CarPlay?
Yes. CarPlay is included with the $4.99 lifetime unlock, along with unlimited favorites, custom station URLs, Dynamic Island support, Live Activities, and Lock Screen widgets.
How is Transistor Radio different from other radio apps?
Most radio apps charge monthly subscriptions, show ads on their free tier, and require an account. Transistor Radio charges once ($4.99 lifetime), never shows ads, and requires no account. It also uses the latest iOS design principles — Dynamic Island, Live Activities, Lock Screen widgets — with a retro-inspired aesthetic.
Live radio, done right.
Try Transistor Radio free with up to 5 favorites. Unlock everything forever for just $4.99.
Coming Soon on the App Store