Our story
Listening should
feel simple.
A familiar clock radio for anyone who wants fewer steps between them and the things they love to hear.
Best Clock Radio
Beautiful Clock Radio Free downloads with optional in-app purchases.
Why I created Best Clock Radio
I created Best Clock Radio about 15 years ago because I spent much of my life sick and in bed. When I was extremely weak, I wanted to listen to news, talk shows, and other radio without repeatedly navigating screens or switching between different station apps.
Even as a technically minded person, I found that task daunting while ill. That experience drove me to create the app: a clock radio where my favorite stations would stay in familiar places, ready to play with a tap.
Over the years, older listeners have also told me it helps them reach their news and entertainment. The idea remains the same today: make everyday listening easier, whatever your age or comfort with technology.
— Mark Linthicum, creator of Best Clock Radio and Beautiful Clock Radio
Designed around everyday use
Less navigating.
More listening.
A simpler radio app can be useful when you are tired, unwell, have poor eyesight, or simply prefer familiar controls. It can also help older adults who want to enjoy radio without learning a complicated interface.
Favorites stay in place
Your favorite stations are always in the same place. Fixed, non-scrolling preset buttons let you find them without searching through a feed or a series of screens.
Program once. Tap to play.
Press and hold a radio button in the app to choose a favorite station or podcast. After setup, a tap on that button starts playback. You can change your favorites whenever you like.
A clock you can leave on display
Use your iPhone or iPad as an everyday clock radio and a bedside companion. The prominent clock and visible favorites keep the essentials together. An iPad offers a larger physical display for listeners who prefer more room.
A gentler bedtime routine
AutoDim softens the display at night. The sleep timer gradually lowers the volume and turns the radio off, and alarms can play a saved station. For a radio alarm, keep the app open and allow notifications; a backup alarm is used when the app is closed.
Accessibility for people with poor eyesight and older listeners
Large, visible preset buttons and predictable positions can make finding a favorite easier for people who have difficulty seeing small controls. Best Clock Radio also supports VoiceOver, Apple’s screen reader.
Needs differ from person to person. Try the free download on the device you plan to use, and check that the clock, button labels, contrast, and controls work comfortably for you. A family member or friend can help program favorites at the start, leaving day-to-day listening a tap away.
If something is difficult to see or use, contact Mark with your feedback.
One familiar place to listen
Music and podcasts, too.
Both apps include Apple Music integration and a podcast player. Listen to songs, albums, and playlists on Apple Music, with your permission to access your music library. Save favorite podcasts to programmable buttons, browse episodes, and pause or jump backward and forward as you listen.
Apple Music catalog playback requires an active Apple Music subscription, separate from either app and its in-app purchases. Availability varies by country or region. An Apple Music subscription is not required for podcast playback.
Choose your everyday companion
Two clock radios.
The same simple idea.
Best Clock Radio
A straightforward clock radio and podcast player with programmable favorites, five alarms, AutoDim, and a sleep timer.
Get Best Clock RadioBeautiful Clock Radio
Clock radio essentials with optional photographic backgrounds and living PhotoSets that change with the day and weather.
Get Beautiful Clock RadioBoth apps are available for iPhone and iPad as free downloads with optional in-app purchases. PhotoSets are purchased separately in Beautiful Clock Radio. Weather and automatic station-update features have an introductory period followed by an optional subscription.
Explore Beautiful Clock Radio and see the app →
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