In this article, we’ll cover the best free radio streaming stations online and the best live stations and web radio available.
How do I listen to free online radio (FM radio)?
There are many radio stations available for free on the internet.
A radio streaming site (or radio station) is a website that presents audio or video content that can be viewed or listened to on computers with internet access.
You will need headphones, earbuds, or speakers and the right connectivity.
Which radio stations can I listen to on these websites and what are the best ones?
You can listen to radio stations from countries all over the world.
We have many of the best ones listed below.
What are radio streaming services?
A radio station is a business, organization, or other enterprise whose primary function is to provide radio programming to some audience.
They have no control over the content or format of the music being broadcast, but they are responsible for organizing its broadcasting and often also acquiring the rights to distribute recordings of it.
The radio station supplies an entertainment product, publicity, etc., and offers advertising time slots for people who wish to advertise their products/services on that radio show.
The result of this process will be a radio program of one or more channels (called “stations”) containing audio information or other output content which satisfies some combination of users’ wants.
Do I have to pay for listening to online radio?
Radio streaming services are free to use, but they might have advertisements.
You can choose radio stations by country, language, and music genre as well as by popularity or those recommended for you based on your location.
These radio for free online services usually offer a variety of radio channels/stations so that users can select their preferred radio station from the list.
Some radio sites may require registration or sign-up before users can access some or all of its features.
Premium services, like Spotify, often require a subscription, which can cost money on a recurring basis.
This can help avoid advertisements and have a streamlined experience.
On what device can I stream radio online?
Pretty much anything – smartphone, laptop, desktop, tablet, and other internet-connected devices work.
How do radio streaming sites make money?
There are radio stations for free on the internet.
Most of them will have advertisements and users will need to watch or listen to those in order to use the radio station/site for free.
What is web radio and why is it important?
Web radio (also called online radio, internet radio or webcasting) and internet radio (cable radio, digital radio, satellite radio) denote broadcasting audio over the Internet using a 2-way medium:
- either streaming media (such as live audio feeds), or
- .mp3 files placed on a remote server for time-delayed playback (“podcasting”).
It was originally intended to be synchronous with terrestrial (FM/AM) radio but numerous pirate radio stations soon followed and the term “narrowcasting” was coined to cover this activity.
It can also refer to the audio service of a radio station which is an Internet radio station.
Online radio can be listened to in your web browser or with dedicated apps for Android, iPhone, and Windows phone devices. It’s available in many countries and languages all over the world: in Europe, America, Australia, and Asia.
Radio streaming sites provide radio listeners with an endless choice of radio stations from almost anywhere in the world; they play songs based on their popularity or your preferences.
What is an online radio box?
An online radio box is one of the radio streaming websites that you can listen to radio online for free.
It allows users to search radio by country, language, and music genre as well as popularity or those recommended for you based on your location.
These radio stations are available 24/7; they do not play any advertisements and don’t require any registration or sign-up before you can access their features.
Every radio station has an ‘online radio’ button right under its name on the homepage, which lets you play it instantly (no need to download anything).
After you click the radio station that you want to hear, just press play and enjoy listening!
What are web radio stations?
Web radio stations provide listeners with radio from around the world.
You can listen to radio online for free through radio streaming sites, radio boxes, or apps for mobile devices.
How to start an online radio station?
If you’re looking for how to start an internet radio station, this video clip gives a good overview:
Best Radio Streaming Sites – Top Web Radio and Live Stations Online
Let’s take a look at the top radio streaming sites on the internet.
#1 Tunein
Tunein is one of the best radio streaming sites out there because it has a directory of more than 100,000 radio stations and podcasts from around the world.
It enables you to listen live or find on-demand radio shows and podcasts based on your interests and location.
#2 Online Audio Box
Online radio box is a radio streaming site that allows you to listen to radio online for free.
You can search radio by country, language, and music genre as well as popularity or those recommended for you based on your location.
#3 Live Online Radio
This radio streaming site features radio from all over the world.
It enables you to listen to the radio on your desktop/laptop computer, tablet or phone (Android and iPhone).
#4 iHeart Radio
iHeartRadio is a popular free internet radio service that offers users thousands of live radio stations from across the country along with custom artist stations based on their favorite music artists.
It enables you to listen to radio online for free and create your own radio station based on your favorite radio programs, artists, songs, or teams.
You can listen online easily by creating an account first before listening to any channel of your choice.
You can listen to Top 40, reggae, pop, rock, EDM, trance, rap, and more.
#5 Top-Radio
Top-Radio is a radio streaming site that allows you to tune in radio from every country and genre.
This radio box has radio stations sorted by country, genres, and languages so you can easily find a radio station that you like.
#6 YouTube Music
YouTube Music is a radio streaming site that allows you to find radio by location, genre, language and artist.
This radio box features radio from all over the world with a vast number of radio stations in diverse languages such as English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, and many more.
You can add songs to your library, playlist, and listen to AI-generated recommendations based on songs you like.
YouTube Music is great for study, chill, hang out, and more.
YouTube itself also has many 24/7 radio stations.
Here’s an example of 24/7 trance based on popular Dutch DJ Armin van Buuren’s A State of Trance (ASOT):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lMmnfVylEE&ab_channel=AStateOfTrance
#7 AccuRadio
AccuRadio is one of the radio sites with an extremely user-friendly interface.
It enables you to listen to radio online for free based on your favorite music genres such as rock, pop, country, Christian radio stations, and more.
When you visit this radio box’s homepage, all radio channels are listed on the top bar from which you can find your favorite radio station easily.
#8 Radio.Net
Radio.Net is a radio streaming site that enables you to listen to radio online for free and create your own radio station based on artist, songs, and other factors.
This radio box has radio stations sorted by countries, genres, and languages so you can easily find a radio station that you want to listen to.
#9 Jango
Jango radio features radio from all over the world with a vast number of radio stations in diverse languages.
You can listen to radio online for free on its radio box based on your favorite music genres like jazz, modern rock radio stations, or new age radio.
#10 Internet Radio
Internet Radio Box is a radio streaming site that allows you to tune in to radio from every country and genre.
This radio box has radio stations that you can filter by different categories.
#11 SomaFM
SomaFM radio features radio from all over the world with a vast number of radio stations in diverse languages such as English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and many more.
You can listen to radio online for free on its radio box based on your favorite music genres like indie, old-school hip-hop radio stations, or reggae.
#12 myTuner
myTuner Radio features radio from all over the world with a vast number of radio stations.
You can listen radio online for free on its radio box based on your favorite music genres like rock radio stations, alternative radio stations, or jazz radio stations.
#13 Slacker Radio
Slacker Radio is a radio streaming site for people who listen to music online.
This radio box enables you to listen to radio by genre or mood-based stations based on your daily activities or events such as waking up in the morning, working out at the gym, having dinner with friends, etc.
If you want to play some relaxing music while sleeping at night, just create a sleep radio station by yourself!
#14 Live365
For those who like listening to radio online with minimum ads and interruption, Live365 Internet Radio makes a good choice as they allow you to create your own personalized radio with thousands of free streaming channels.
The radio box of Live365 radio has radio stations sorted by genres so you can easily find a radio station that you want to listen to.
#15 RadioGuide.FM
Radio Guide is a radio streaming site that allows you to listen and record online radio both live and on-demand by genre or performance.
It also enables you to create your own personalized internet radio stations based on music genres such as jazz, disco, Latin, disco, etc.
You can become a programmer of your favorite station and share it with your friends as well.
#16 Listen2MyRadio
Listen2MyRadio radio features radio from all over the world and allows you to listen to radio online for free on its radio box based on your favorite music genres like reggae, oldies radio station, or country music.
This free radio site is available for all countries and supports multi-languages such as English, Russian, French, and more.
This radio box has radio stations sorted by various criteria.
#17 Radio Sure
Radio Sure radio features radio from all over the world and allows you to listen to radio online for free on its radio box based on your favorite music genres like easy listening radio, 70s radio station, or current hits, such as the Top 40.
This radio site is available for all countries and supports multi-languages such as English, Spanish, French, German, and more so that it is suitable for those who want to stream radio stations online in different languages.
#18 Radio.com
Radio.com radio features radio from all over the world and allows you to listen to radio online for free on its radio box based on your favorite music genres like k-pop radio, Japanese radio, or elsewhere.
#19 Streema
Streema radio features radio from all over the world and allows you to listen to radio online for free on its radio box based on your favorite music genres like dance radio, rap, or old-school hip-hop.
#20 SHOUTcast Radio Directory
SHOUTcast radio directory provides live radio streams directly from radio station websites based on the SHOUTCAST radio network. You can also play thousands of internet radio stations in 32 genres!
This radio provides users with more than 50,000 radio shows from DJs, radio stations, and record labels around the world.
The directory offers three different ways for users to find what they are looking for: Featured Stations, Top 100 Next Now Playing, or Genres & Moods.
Just type the radio station name in the search field and you’ll start listening to radio online.
#21 Digitally Imported
Digitally imported is one of the best radio streaming sites for electronic dance music fans.
You can easily find what you are looking for by browsing according to country, genre, or your favorite DJ!
#22 Radionomy
Radionomy is a radio streaming site that allows you to listen to radio online for free in many countries with many languages throughout Europe, America, Africa, and Asia.
This website offers users a wide range of radio stations with music genres such as Pop Rock / Hits FM, DJs Top 40/Pop Music, Hip Hop and RnB Classics, Hot Dance Musics, and many others.
In addition to listening to live radio on this website, you can also create your own radio station in one click.
#23 MySpace Music
MySpace is mostly a music community now. MySpace Music allows you to listen to radio online for free with easy navigation (just like on Facebook).
This radio streaming site features radio from around the world, including the best mix of rock, pop, hip hop, and rap music.
On top of that, it enables you to find what you are looking for by checking out featured stations or music genres such as Top 40 Hits / Rap & Hip Hop, Today’s Hottest Country Airplay, Today’s Biggest Rock Hits, and many others.
#24 LastFM
LastFM is another great radio streaming site that provides more than 15 personalized radio stations based on your favorite artists or songs.
The radio streams can be accessed through a desktop or mobile browser, as well as via a free app for iPhone, Android, and Windows.
In addition to radio streaming, you can also use it to find out what your friends are listening to the most and discover new music by seeing which artists people listen to on LastFM radio. LastFM radio provides some of the best radio stations including Pop Music Online / Hits FM, Dance Radio / Electro House Music, Rap & Hip Hop Classics, and many more!
#25 Radio Garden
Radio Garden enables listeners to explore radio from around the world through a beautiful dynamic map of radio streams, reaching every corner of the globe.
Radio Garden enables listeners around the world to explore radio channels from every country, city, and town on the globe through a beautiful interface.
You can create your own virtual radio garden with a combination of your favorite radio channels using a slider for easy access.
#26 TuneWiki Radio
TuneWiki radio is one of radio online radio streaming sites that enables you to create radio stations with photos, videos, and texts.
With TuneWiki radio, you can listen to radio by genres or kinds of music such as hip hop, rap, electronic dance music (EDM) radio, indie, and more.
#27 Pandora Radio
Pandora Radio is one of my favorite radio boxes because it features radio from the US with an extensive music library including rock, pop, classical, or jazz songs.
All radio streams are personalized radio based on your favorite music, artists, or songs.
You can create radio stations by inputting your favorite songs. Pandora radio also allows you to explore radio by genres such as Singer/Songwriter Station, Hard Rock Radio / Heavy Metal Music, Pop Latino & Spain Top 40, and many more!
#28 Last.fm
Last.fm is yet another radio streaming site that enables you to listen to radio online for free with ease using the simple internet browser across all devices (desktop, laptop, tablet, mobile phone).
This radio website features radio from around the world including top radio channels for movies, Jazz FM radio shows or electronic dance music radio stations (EDM).
In addition to radio streaming, you can also use it to find out what your friends are listening to the most and discover new music by seeing which artists people listen to on Last.fm radio.
#29 Jazz Radio
In terms of a more niched-down interest, Jazz Radio is another good place if you are looking for one site to tune into great jazz music.
It allows you to listen to jazz music online without ads interruption.
This radio website features radio from around the world including radio stations for Jazz FM radio shows, blues radio channels, and many others.
In addition to radio streaming, you can also use it to find out what your friends are listening to the most and discover new music by seeing which artists people listen to on Jazz Radio radio.
#30 JazzOnWeb
JazzOnWeb is a radio streaming site offering thousands of free online Jazz music for its listeners.
This online radio station enables you to listen to Jazz from all over the world with diverse languages such as English, French, Italian, and more.
#31 RadioMaximus
RadioMaximus radio is a radio streaming site that allows you to tune in to radio from every country and genre with no ads.
You can choose your favorite music genres like jazz radio stations, metal radio stations, or electronic dance radio stations as well as share them with your friends.
#32 Ria FM
Ria FM radio features radio from all over the world with a vast number of radio stations divided by different radio genres including radio stations for rock music, rap radio channels, hip hop radio, etc.
#33 GrooveShark
GrooveShark radio is one of the most popular radio streaming sites offering you a vast number of songs to tune into on-demand.
You can listen online radio without ads interruption.
Moreover, it allows you to create radio stations based on song artists or moods such as relax stations, party stations, and many more.
#34 RadioUnderground
RadioUnderground radio is another good place for some chillout time with its wide collection of relaxing songs from all over the world including disco house, deep house music, ambient, electronica, trance, etc.
Conclusion: Best Free Online Radio Stations
Radio is great as it provides media entertainment through audio or music by providing access to talk shows, news broadcasts, sports events coverage, etc. from around the world.
In the list above, we recommended the top radio streaming sites that allow you to tune in to radio online for free with ease.
However, radio streaming may not be the best choice for you if you are looking to listen radio on-demand.
If so, check out alternative radio apps which allow you to tune in to radio online without ads interruption and create radio stations based on your music or artist preferences.