Report updated Apr 8, 2026
Police Scanner + Fire Radio
v30.2Emergency services enthusiasts, news junkies, and radio listeners who want to monitor local police, fire, and EMS activity in real-time.
What Is Police Scanner + Fire Radio?
Launched Dec 1, 2011
Updated Apr 2026
What users think iIndependent intel reports to help builders create better apps or enhance existing ones. Still in beta, accuracy and relevancy get better every day. For informational purposes only.
What are the key features?
Allows users to rewind live radio and listen to past events they may have missed.
Record station audio for future playback and email MP3 copies to yourself or others.
Displays current artist, album cover, and song title with direct links to Apple Music.
Uses device location to find and list nearby radio and scanner stations.
What do users think? iIndependent intel reports to help builders create better apps or enhance existing ones. Still in beta, accuracy and relevancy get better every day. For informational purposes only.
“Recent user voice shows a mixed sentiment. Users appreciate ease of use and reliability and longevity, but report interface and navigation issues and audio quality and connectivity.”
What Users Love
Very user friendly. Just search for radio stations, or genres, etc.
I’ve used this app for years. Love this app!
Pain Points
New update ruined the app interface. Navigation now is so obtuse.
Many of the conversations sound slurred. Sharper clearer sound would be much appreciated.
Charges $39.99 /year instead of the $2.99 / week, and also charges you right away when you select free trial.
High confidence · 12.2K reviews available
How is it ranked?
| Chart | Rank | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Free | #95 |
What are the pros and cons?
Pros
- Unique 24/7 archive and rewind functionality
- Integrated MP3 recording and sharing capabilities
- Strong historical brand equity and 12k+ ratings
Cons
- Recent UI updates causing navigation friction
- Technical issues with audio clarity/scrambling
- Aggressive and confusing subscription billing practices
What is the market outlook?
Growth Opportunities
- Exploit competitor UI dissatisfaction with a simplified interface
- Expand into smart home integrations (Alexa/Google Home)
- Improve transparency in monetization to boost retention
Market Threats
- Encryption of local police frequencies reducing available feeds
- New entrants with lower-latency streaming tech
- Declining sentiment trend leading to lower App Store visibility
Who competes with Police Scanner + Fire Radio?
The Nemesis
5-0 Radio Pro Police Scanner
★4.6 (82K)Smartest Apps LLC
The most direct competitor with a massive database of feeds and a nearly identical feature set including background play and recording.
The most direct competitor with a massive database of feeds and a nearly identical feature set including background play and recording.
Contenders
Police Scanner Radio
David Ibrahim
Strong alternative that competes on ease of use and GPS-based station discovery features.
Strong alternative that competes on ease of use and GPS-based station discovery features.
Police Scanner Radio & Fire
★4.6 (514K)GordonEdwards.net LLC
Competes directly on the 'local' discovery angle using GPS to surface nearby emergency feeds.
Competes directly on the 'local' discovery angle using GPS to surface nearby emergency feeds.
Peers
Citizen Jackpot Slots Casino
Seven Slots Technology Limited
While not a pure radio app, it captures the same 'emergency news' audience by providing real-time incident alerts and live video.
While not a pure radio app, it captures the same 'emergency news' audience by providing real-time incident alerts and live video.
PulsePoint Respond
PulsePoint Foundation
Focuses on EMS and fire department activity, serving the professional and enthusiast segment of the scanner market.
Focuses on EMS and fire department activity, serving the professional and enthusiast segment of the scanner market.
TuneIn Radio: Music & Sports
TuneIn
A broad radio aggregator that includes many of the same public safety and AM/FM stations found in specialized scanner apps.
A broad radio aggregator that includes many of the same public safety and AM/FM stations found in specialized scanner apps.
What are the key takeaways?
Police Scanner + Fire Radio is a divisive news app that is free with in-app purchases. With a 4.6/5 rating from 12.2K reviews, it receives mixed feedback from users. Users particularly appreciate ease of use, though interface and navigation issues remains a common concern.
Best for: Emergency services enthusiasts, news junkies, and radio listeners who want to monitor local police, fire, and EMS activity in real-time.
How much does it cost?
Model: freemium
The developer uses a dual-app strategy to leverage a large free user base for upselling premium access. Recent sentiment suggests friction in the trial-to-paid conversion flow.