Explainer
FM, AM, DAB+, satellite and internet radio: what is the difference?
Short answer
FM and AM are analogue broadcasts received with an aerial: FM sounds better over a city-wide range, AM carries further with lower quality. DAB+ is digital broadcasting with many stations per frequency. Satellite radio (SiriusXM in North America) needs a subscription. Internet radio streams any station in the world over a data connection.
Radio reaches you in five main ways today. They differ in sound, range, cost and the equipment you need. Here is how each one works and when it makes sense.
The five kinds of radio at a glance
| Type | How it travels | Range | Sound | Cost to listen | You need |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FM | Analogue, VHF 87.5–108 MHz | City or region | Good, stereo | Free | FM radio |
| AM | Analogue, medium and long wave | Region; far at night | Mono, limited | Free | AM radio |
| DAB+ | Digital, VHF Band III | Region or country | Good, no hiss | Free | DAB+ radio |
| Satellite | Digital, from satellites | Continent | Good | Subscription | Satellite receiver or app |
| Internet | Digital stream over the internet | Worldwide | Depends on bitrate | Free (plus data) | Phone, computer or Wi-Fi radio |
FM radio
FM (frequency modulation) is the most listened-to kind of radio in most countries. The band runs from 87.5 to 108 MHz almost everywhere; Japan uses 76 to 95 MHz. FM gives clear stereo sound and works well indoors and in cars within roughly 50 to 100 km of the transmitter.
Because the range is local, the same frequency is reused by different stations in different cities. That is why searching for a number like “101.1 FM” gives results from many places; our guide to radio frequencies explains how to find the right one.
AM radio
AM (amplitude modulation) is the oldest broadcast system. Medium wave covers about 531–1602 kHz in Europe, Africa and Asia (9 kHz steps) and 530–1700 kHz in the Americas (10 kHz steps). Long wave and shortwave are AM too.
AM signals follow the ground and, at night, bounce off the ionosphere, so a strong station can be heard hundreds of kilometres away. The trade-off is sound quality: AM is mono, with less treble and more interference from electrical devices. Today it carries mostly news, talk and sports. Some new cars no longer include an AM tuner.
Shortwave radio
Shortwave broadcasting uses bands between about 2.3 and 26 MHz. Signals bounce between the ionosphere and the ground and can cross oceans, which is why international broadcasters used it for decades. Fewer stations transmit on shortwave now, but it still matters in remote areas and in emergencies, and many listeners enjoy it as a hobby.
DAB and DAB+ digital radio
DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) sends several stations together in one block called a multiplex, mostly in VHF Band III (174–240 MHz). DAB+ is the newer version: it uses the HE-AAC v2 codec, which fits more stations per multiplex at good quality. Most countries that use the system now broadcast in DAB+.
DAB+ is widespread in Europe and Australia. Norway was the first country to switch off national FM networks, in 2017, in favour of DAB+. You need a DAB+ receiver; an old DAB-only radio cannot decode DAB+. In the United States, digital radio uses a different system called HD Radio, which adds digital channels alongside existing FM and AM stations.
Satellite radio
Satellite radio sends digital channels from satellites to receivers across a whole region, so a channel never fades as you drive. The best-known service is SiriusXM in the United States and Canada. It runs on a paid subscription, often offered as a trial with new cars, and many of its channels can also be streamed in its app. Satellite radio is not available in most other parts of the world.
Internet radio
Internet radio sends a station’s audio as a stream over the internet. It has no geographic limit: you can hear a station in Tokyo from Casablanca. Choice is enormous, from national networks to stations that exist only online. Quality depends on the bitrate the station picks, usually 64 to 128 kbps. It needs Wi-Fi or mobile data; our guide to free internet radio covers data use and common problems.
Which one should you use?
- In the car: FM or DAB+ for local stations without using data; internet radio for anything else.
- At home: internet radio for choice; a DAB+ or FM radio for simplicity and no Wi-Fi.
- Long drives in North America: satellite radio keeps the same channel coast to coast.
- Emergencies and remote places: a battery FM/AM or shortwave radio works when the internet and power do not.
Frequently asked questions
Which sounds better, FM or AM?
FM. It is stereo and carries a much wider range of audio frequencies. AM is mono and more sensitive to interference, which is why music moved to FM.
Is DAB+ better than FM?
DAB+ has no hiss, more stations and shows the song title on screen. FM often covers rural areas better and works with any radio. Sound quality on DAB+ depends on the bitrate each station uses.
Is satellite radio free?
No. Satellite radio such as SiriusXM needs a subscription after any trial period. FM, AM, DAB+ and most internet radio are free to listen to.
Can I listen to FM stations on the internet?
Yes. Most FM and AM stations stream their programme online. You can find them by country or by name on Radio Marble.
Why can I hear AM stations from far away at night?
After sunset, a layer of the ionosphere that absorbs medium-wave signals fades, so signals bounce back to earth hundreds of kilometres away.
Written and checked by the Radio Marble team on October 23, 2026. Station names and logos belong to their owners; streams come from the stations themselves.
