# rtl_tcp SDR — user reviews > 30 indexed App Store user reviews of rtl_tcp SDR by HotPaw Productions, rated 3.90/5 from 32 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rtl-tcp-sdr/id1351164646/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rtl-tcp-sdr/id1351164646.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 17 · 4★ 5 · 3★ 3 · 2★ 4 · 1★ 3 ## Newest reviews (10 of 30) ### 3/5 — Oops *2024-08-05* Downloaded then deleted once I saw the setup requirements. Refund possible? Thanks, Eric KC1OAV ### 3/5 — Ok it looks like you did not fix the memory save process *2023-02-20* Please fix the memory save process. Also please add more memories.. ### 3/5 — Needs improvement *2023-02-19* This is the best SDR app for iOS but needs improvement. The main interface and settings interfaces are clunky and need a redesign, and the limitation of only 5 presets is ludicrous. There should be so many more, with the ability to store frequencies in bands or lists with station ID, modulation, date and time stamp etc. This app could be so good but is only very rarely updated. I have two other stars waiting for this one… ### 2/5 — Nothing happens... *2020-08-27* Nothing starts when I press the start button, and there is no reaction on the pc side. What should I do? ### 3/5 — As a last resort, it works. *2020-08-26* I was very apprehensive about buying this, based off the screenshots and the fact that it’s one of the only rtlsdr apps available. $10 is way too much for this. Maybe $2 would be ok but this is sub par. Sometimes it doesn’t connect, or will just decide to drop off and stop all audio and demodulation randomly. The waterfall is glitchy and doesn’t scroll. The interface is very bad. You can’t change modes without stopping the connection and changing it, then starting again, hoping that it will reconnect. You also cannot change the bandwidth of the current frequency. The ui is also glitched on the iPhone 8, the orange text that shows the status is down in the corner and only shows the first letter. As an only option I guess it works, but it really needs big improvements to be worth the $10. ### 3/5 — Good but need improvement *2019-02-09, version 1.0.6* it works quite well, it needs some modifications to make the controls for modulations, squelch, filters more accessible. waterfall has some problem with scrolling. to access the memories you have to stop the receiver. I hope it is still supported and developed. ### 4/5 — This app is long overdue; Basic features but a good effort. Thanks! *2018-11-10* Looking forward to using this app as it matures. It worked right away with my Raspberry Pi RTL server. It even works OK over my VPN. Features that it definitely needs in future updates: 1) The upconverter frequency needs to allow a more exact calibration down to 1 Hz. 2) Same for the PPM value. At least 3 decimal points are needed for accuracy. 3) A slider would be helpful for fine tuning SSB and CW signals. Say +/-1000 Hz. Maybe along a vertical edge. Nice effort, well done. Keep up the good work. Much appreciated! ### 2/5 — It is works but lack several functions *2018-10-14* - bookmark of frequencies is too small (only allow to save 5 freq) - real-time saving - auto scanning ### 2/5 — Could use some polish... *2018-09-06* This is the ONLY (iOS) RTL-SDR application in town. It’s get the job down, albeit crashes occasionally and could use some polish. I’d like to be about to pinch bandwidth. Needs a LOT of work. I sincerely hope they continue developing. Could be a great app. Not worth $10, I hate to say.. ### 4/5 — No support *2018-08-07* It works, but not great considering the price. Also despite there being an e-mail address, they do not reply to any e-mails you send them. I have sent three now and not even an acknowledgement from them. I have requested a refund from Apple and I’ll be trying the other RTL SDR App that is on the app store ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Does not work *2022-12-12* I understand how to set up and operate these programs. Though, this one fails. Back to my android app. ### 1/5 — Save your money and dont buy *2021-11-21* Bought the app and never can get it to work with my SDR server. Contacted dev for support. Tried another server software he recommended. Still wouldnt work. Tried connecting to several other online SDR servers, and none will connect with the app. Apple wont refund purchase. Save yourself the pain and dont buy. ### 1/5 — Not reliable and freezing reception *2021-10-02* It freeze every second even in 240k SR on a LAN. Do not spend any penny on this one. How can I be refund for this please ? ### 1/5 — Pessima *2021-09-22, version 1.4.2* I soldi più mal spesi. Troppo macchinosa e praticamente inutilizzabile. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work *2021-09-17* Will not connect to any of the popular RTL SDR servers. This is a waste of money. ### 1/5 — Does not work for IOS *2021-04-26* This app does not work on IOS without a secondary device (computer) plugged into it. Not boldly stated and doesn’t look like a refund will be issued. ### 1/5 — App funktioniert unter IOS14 nicht. *2020-10-01* Servereinstellungen nicht möglich. App bleibt hängen. Habe 10€ in den Sand gesetzt. ### 1/5 — Was soll der Quark *2020-07-26* Keine Ahnung wir hier was irgendwie geht ### 1/5 — Crashes when scrolling *2019-09-28* Type in a known FM frequency - works! If I want to scroll backwards the program crashes... also you do not see the new part of the spectrum. I totally regret paying 10.99 € for this... **Developer response:** Thank you for your bug report. A bug causing a crash when tuning downward in frequency by swipe gestures has been fixed in the Version 1.2.7 update. Tap on any blank portion of the spectrum to retune the SDR and refresh the new portion of the spectrum. ### 2/5 — Works *2024-02-29* Works, interface is terrible, cannot slide back without retuning half a frame, can slide forward any before retuning, fix this please!!! ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Works well *2025-11-21* I have an RTL-SDR blog v4 connected to a fedora 43 server that I’m running rtl_tcp on. This app is working really well on both my iPhone and iPad, connecting to rtl_tcp. Sounds great and was easy to connect. Would love to see the ability to save and scan channels in this app. Would also be awesome to be able to scan a frequency range. ### 5/5 — Works great *2025-07-28* Simple, basic remote sdr receiver/ controller- even has a built-in up converter setting. Waterfall looks good lots of different demodulation options. Highly recommend. It’s not some incredibly fancy software, but it does exactly what it says it does. Pretty amazing with apples limitations. Surprising how well it works no frills SDR receiver. ### 5/5 — Great little app!! *2024-12-25* I use this to connect to a pi with SDR I have across the yard on top of my outbuilding, fiber backbone connects that building to my home network. It works like a champ! I can sit on the couch with my iPad or phone and listen or sniff out noise away from the radio room… thanks! ### 5/5 — Great *2021-03-12* I combined $25 sdr, Ham It Up, Youloop antenna with a raspberry pi and how I have a internet accessible shortwave radio. ### 5/5 — Best I have found to date *2020-06-01* I know Apple makes it harder to do true hardware. I use SDR sharp and sdr console on pc. This is pretty close on iOS. A little temperamental at times with settings and network server config. But best out there on iOS I have found. Wish it had native air spyserver. ### 5/5 — Great Tool ! *2019-04-06* Cool Toy Thanks for coding this great toy! SoapySDR Support will ne nice :) ### 5/5 — Works great *2019-03-06* The BIG variable is network bandwidth. But at the lowest sampling rate it works good. Using a Raspberry Pi 3+ server. Up/Down tuning buttons would be nice with it changing the selected frequency digit for slow or fast tuning. ### 4/5 — Solution for Hermes Lite or SDRPlay! *2025-09-25* It isn’t perfect but it really cool to be able listen and even transmit using my Hermes Lite HF rig from anywhere! I think there’s a memory leak or some issue because after a few minutes and several transmissions it starts having issues. But I’m sure that will get fixed eventually. Nice job! ### 4/5 — It could be good in a certain way *2025-03-21* Since there’s so many things that I need to do to actually make it work since you have to plug it into something by the way, I need extra ways for this to work and it’s pretty complicated and stuff so I need some extra things for it to work properly that you can go up to one gigahertz I think I’m trying to find the perfect SDR that doesn’t require such complicated stuff like plugging it in ### 4/5 — It’s 50/50 *2020-09-16* It’s actually ok but some things don’t work quit right. Server Settings crashes the App in iOS 14. The RF Gain Level meter appears to be broken. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-29.*