iHeartRadio review
Updated October 1, 2026 · LootCue Editorial Team · Facts checked October 1, 2026
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Our verdict
iHeartRadio suits listeners who want a free music streaming tier plus downloads for listening without a connection, with paid plans sold to US residents. Run by iHeartMedia, Inc., it keeps support in writing, so it fits casual listening in the country rather than anyone wanting phone help or a plan elsewhere.
Key facts
- Best for
- Free streaming with downloads for offline listening, for casual US listeners.
- Free tier
- Yes (Source, checked October 1, 2026)
- Offline downloads
- Yes (Source, checked October 1, 2026)
- Markets
- US (Source, checked October 1, 2026)
- Legal entity
- iHeartMedia, Inc. (Source, checked October 1, 2026)
- Headquarters
- United States (Source, checked October 1, 2026)
- Support channels
- Email, Help-centre (Source, checked October 1, 2026)
- Official website
- iheart.com
Apps and profiles
- Get the app
- Google Play
Pros and cons
Pros
- A free tier means listeners can start streaming without paying anything, which keeps the cost of a first look at the catalogue at nil.
- Offline downloads let a listener save music and play it back on a commute or a flight when the signal drops.
- The operator is iHeartMedia, Inc., which names its address in the United States, so the company behind an account is straightforward to check.
Cons
- Support runs on email and help centre only, so a reader who wants to talk a problem through by voice has to work in writing.
- Downloads depend on the app the listener uses the service through, so saved listening follows that app rather than another player.
Who it suits
- Listeners who want to hear a catalogue before paying for anything.
- People who need music available on a flight or a commute where the signal is weak.
- US residents who want a paid plan from a company that names its address in the United States.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone outside the US who needs a paid subscription, given the market covered by the United States.
What it does well
iHeartRadio runs a free tier, so a listener can stream the catalogue without paying anything before deciding whether a paid subscription is worth it. Paid subscriptions sit alongside that free tier for anyone who wants more, which makes the free option the simplest way to judge the music on offer. Offline downloads are supported as well: tracks can be saved in the iHeart app and played back later when a connection is not there, which suits a commute, a flight or a data allowance that has run out. Between the free entry point and saved listening, a reader has room to try the service before committing to a plan.
Who runs it
The service is operated by iHeartMedia, Inc., which publishes its address in the United States as part of its terms. A reader who wants to know who stands behind an account has a named company to look up, rather than a service name with nothing behind it.
How iHeartRadio compares
Plarium
Starforged
Crossout
Star Stable
War Thunder
Enlisted
Inn.games EU
Humbrol GB
GGPick
Woodestic
Perfect World RU
Norns
Vertexhub
Where iHeartRadio is available
- Available
- United States
Countries from the brand (Source, checked October 1, 2026)
Frequently asked questions
What does iHeartRadio offer?+
iHeartRadio streams music and runs a free tier, so a listener can start without paying anything. Offline downloads are supported too, which means saved music can be played back when there is no connection. The whole service is operated by iHeartMedia, Inc., and paid subscriptions sit alongside the free tier for anyone who wants more.
Can I keep listening when I have no signal?+
Yes. Offline downloads are supported, so a listener can save music in the iHeart app and play it back later without a connection. That covers the situations where streaming stops working, such as a flight, a tunnel on a commute, or a data allowance that has run out. Saved listening is one of the things the service offers alongside streaming.
Who does iHeartRadio suit?+
It suits US residents who want a free tier for everyday listening and downloads for travel, since the United States keeps the paid subscriptions in the US. It also suits anyone who prefers to save music in the app before a journey and play it back with no signal, rather than relying on a connection that may not be there.
Does it cost anything to start listening?+
A free tier means a listener can stream the music without paying anything, so there is no charge to hear the catalogue at the entry point. Paid subscriptions sit alongside that free tier for anyone who wants more from the service, and those paid plans are sold in the market listed as the United States.
Where are the paid plans sold?+
Paid subscriptions are sold to residents of the US, which is the market named as the United States in the subscription terms. A reader elsewhere should check that a paid plan applies to their own country before signing up. The free tier sits alongside the paid side, so entry does not depend on where a listener lives.
Which company is behind iHeartRadio?+
The service is run by iHeartMedia, Inc., which publishes its address in the United States on its terms. That gives a reader a named company to look up, with a location attached to it, rather than a service name standing on its own.
Sources
- help.iheart.com/hc/en-us/articles/20310091985549-Is-iHear... checked October 1, 2026
Backs: Free tier, Offline downloads
“Yes! iHeartRadio is free to use and download.”
- iheart.com/content/subscription-terms checked October 1, 2026
Backs: Markets
“The Paid Subscription Services are available to US residents only.”
- iheart.com/terms checked October 1, 2026
Backs: Headquarters, Legal entity, Support channels
“IP Permission Legal Department iHeartMedia, Inc. 20880 Stone Oak Pkwy San Antonio, TX 78258”
Compiled from 3 source pages, checked October 1, 2026. We did not open an account.
Not confirmed yet: Plan price per month, Audio quality, Free trial length.
Related by the facts
Reviews
iHeartRadio
Free streaming with downloads for offline listening, for casual US listeners.