My Experience with AL.com
I downloaded this app back in the spring because my boss wanted our team to be more plugged into local business and community news. I honestly expected to delete it after the project was over. But here I am, several months later, still opening it most mornings with my coffee. It’s become my go-to for figuring out if that traffic jam on I-65 is going to ruin my commute or if there’s a new restaurant opening downtown. It feels like the digital version of picking up the local paper, for better and sometimes for worse. The other day, a Tuesday I think, I got an alert about a water main break near my neighborhood before my group chat even started blowing up. That’s when an app proves its worth—it just told me what I needed to know without any fuss.
Features Worth Noting
The main thing it does right is bring all the Alabama news together. I don’t have to hunt down separate sites for Huntsville or Mobile stories. The breaking news alerts are actually useful and not just spammy clickbait. I also really like the “My Teams” section. I set it for Alabama football and the Trash Pandas, and now I see the scores and big stories without wading through everything else. It’s simple. The weather bit at the top is basic, but I check it constantly. It gives me a quick heads-up if I need a jacket or an umbrella, which is all I really want from it. It’s not trying to be fancy, it’s just giving me the local info I’m looking for.
What Needs Work
The app can feel a bit messy and old sometimes. Scrolling is fine, but opening articles, especially ones with lots of pictures or comments, can make my Pixel 7 stutter for a second. The ads are the worst part, hands down. Last weekend I was finally sitting down to read a long article about the new state budget, really trying to understand it, and a full-screen video ad for a truck blasted over everything. I had to close it and find my place again. It totally killed my focus. Also, the comments section under articles is… a wild ride. Sometimes it’s funny, sometimes it’s just a lot. The app itself feels like it needs a good refresh to smooth out these rough edges.
Pricing
It’s free. You get the news, but you pay for it with ads. There are banners, videos, and even ads made to look like news stories. They do offer a paid subscription that gets rid of the ads and gives you some extra stories. For me, just checking headlines and getting alerts, the free version does the job. The ads are annoying, but not annoying enough for me to pull out my wallet yet. If I read every single article every day, I’d probably subscribe just for my own sanity.
Developer Notes
Looking at the update history in the Play Store, it seems like they push out an update every couple of months. The notes always say the same thing about bug fixes and improvements. I haven’t really noticed any big, new features pop up since I installed it. The app feels static. I haven’t had to contact support myself because nothing has broken badly enough, but skimming the reviews shows a mix. Some people have issues with logins or notifications that don’t get fixed quickly. It gives me the impression they keep the lights on but aren’t actively making it much better.
Security & Privacy
The app asks for pretty standard permissions, like for notifications and location if you want localized weather and news. I let it send me alerts but didn’t turn on precise location. Their privacy policy is linked in the app store, the usual long legal document about data collection for ads. I’m not super worried about it because I don’t do anything in the app besides read—no posting comments or creating a detailed profile. It feels as secure as any other free news app, which is to say you’re trading some data for the service. I’m comfortable with that for local updates.
Can I follow specific sports teams in the AL.com app?
Yes, the app has a 'My Teams' section where you can select your favorite teams, like Alabama football or the Trash Pandas. Once set, you'll see their scores and top stories without having to sift through unrelated news.
Does AL.com send breaking news alerts for local events?
Absolutely. The app sends useful, non-spammy breaking news alerts for things like traffic jams, water main breaks, or severe weather. Many users find these alerts faster than social media or group chats.
Why does the AL.com app stutter or lag when I open articles with lots of images?
This is a known issue on some Android devices, like the Pixel 7, where articles with heavy images or comments can cause brief stuttering. A quick fix is to close the app and reopen it, or try clearing the app cache in your phone's settings.
How do I stop full-screen video ads from interrupting my reading in AL.com?
Unfortunately, full-screen video ads are a common frustration. You can try using the app's reader mode if available, or consider upgrading to an ad-free subscription if the app offers one. Otherwise, closing the ad and tapping the article's back button usually helps you return to your spot.
How does AL.com compare to the Birmingham News or other local news apps?
AL.com covers news from across the state—Huntsville, Mobile, Birmingham, and more—all in one place, unlike the Birmingham News app which focuses only on one city. It also has handy features like team tracking and weather, but its ads can be more intrusive than some competitors.
