iHeartRadio compare (iOS)

If you're wondering which free streaming audio app to pick from the ocean of apps at the App Store, iHeartRadio is a great way to break in to the genre, with several useful features not found in other apps.

If you're looking for a streaming-music alternative, Slacker Radio is a good choice. But if you're willing to spend money on a subscription, the app is better than most in its genre.

Pandora is an excellent app for listening to and discovering new music. The ads are nowhere near as intrusive as broadcast radio, and for a tailored music experience, they are a small price to pay.

While you can still get playlists by genre or artist, Songza's unique concept of assembling playlists according to your current activity makes it a great download for music lovers.

With its enormous catalog of on-demand streaming music and its built-in social features for discovering new tunes, Spotify is an absolute must-have for audiophiles and casual listeners alike. But free users, beware of intermittent eardrum-piercing ads.