Coverage and location
FM reception depends on transmitter range, terrain, buildings and your receiver. Internet radio can reach listeners far beyond the broadcast area when the broadcaster offers a public stream, although the station may still apply regional restrictions or take the stream offline.
Data and equipment
FM listening does not use mobile data. Internet radio requires a network connection and transfers audio continuously; at 128 kbps, the audio payload is about 57.6 MB per hour before overhead. A browser, phone, computer or connected speaker can act as the internet receiver.
Sound and delay
FM quality depends on signal strength and interference. An online stream can sound clean at a stable bitrate but may buffer on a weak connection. Internet streams also introduce delay, so live sport or emergency coverage may reach an FM receiver earlier.
Local discovery and global choice
FM makes nearby stations easy to discover by scanning the dial. Internet directories make distant and specialist stations easier to find by country, language and genre. For local listening, use a city or country page and remember that a station's directory location may not describe its exact transmitter coverage.
Which should you use?
Use FM when you want local reception without data and have a suitable signal. Use internet radio when you want stations outside your area, language choices or specialist formats. Many listeners use both, depending on the device, location and programme.