Comparison

Moku vs Smith Charts

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Moku

This application serves as the control center for a professional-grade test and measurement device, offering 12 integrated instruments. It enables real-time data streaming and experiment control wirelessly from an iPad, with options to save and share findings.

Highlights
  • 12 professional-grade instruments
  • Wireless iPad control
  • Real-time data streaming
  • Intuitive multi-touch interface
  • Data saving and sharing
  • Demo mode for simulation
Read full description

Please note: This app, Moku:Lab, only supports Moku:Lab devices running legacy firmware. Search for our newer app, simply called Moku:, to get support for latest firmware, more hardware models, more instruments, and new ways to take full advantage of the Moku hardware. ----- Moku:Lab is a revolutionary all-in-one test and measurement device for professional scientists and engineers. Moku:Lab comes with 12 professional-grade instruments: • Oscilloscope • Spectrum analyzer • Waveform generator • Phasemeter • Data logger • Lock-in amplifier • PID controller • Frequency response analyzer • Digital filter box • Arbitrary waveform generator • FIR filter builder • Laser lock box With high-speed analog inputs and outputs combined with reconfigurable FPGA hardware, the digital signal-processing capabilities are virtually limitless. The Moku:Lab app for iPad communicates wirelessly with your device and is mission control for all of your Moku instruments. Each instrument features an intuitive multi-touch user interface, thoughtfully designed and meticulously optimized for iPad. Stream data and control your experiment in real time as you move around the lab. Connect to Dropbox, iCloud or email to instantly save your data and share your breakthroughs with colleagues or friends. Try out the app in demo mode to interact with simulated signals and experience the innovative iPad interface. For more information visit www.liquidinstruments.com.

About

Smith Charts

Design matching networks, analyze device parameters, and compute stability circles with this interactive tool. Supports S parameters, various components, and offers advanced engineering features for RF design. Available in dark mode and exportable to PDF.

Highlights
  • Interactive Smith chart with drag and zoom
  • Design matching networks with various components
  • Compute stability, equi gain, and noise circles
  • Import S parameters from Touchstone files
  • Export designs to PDF, image, or file
  • Dark mode support
  • Ruler for wavelength measurement
Features
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A great experience of the Smith chart. Also in dark mode. Design matching networks, insert S parameters and convert them, or import from touchstone file. Compute stability circles, equi gain and noise circles.  Easy interaction with the Smith chart. This chart can easily replace a physical one, making its use much faster. Smith chart interactivity: - Works on iPhone, iPad and Mac (on Apple Silicon). - Drag and zoom in the chart. - Create multiple Smith Charts and name them. - Switch easily between input and output planes. - Use a ruler and drag it to obtain the wavelength toward generator of a point on the chart, instantly. - Tap the chart to show the coordinates in algebraic notation, you will see also magnitude and phase of that location, and the corresponding impedance. - Insert circles by hand; modify the radius dragging a circle to keep the center in place, or press to translate them and modify the radius keeping the opposite side in place. Then use the padlock button to disable interaction of gestures with circles. - You can also insert a custom circle and a segment in the input and in the output plane, defining its center and radius in a textfield. - Export to file, image or PDF Advanced tools for engineering: Matching networks: - Choose electronic components to design a matching network for your device. - Available components are: L, C, R, Z and lines (transmission line, parallel or series stub, open or shorted). - For each component it is possible to specify the parasites. - For transmission lines, it is possible to choose between Z0, K or L, C representations, and converting between the two (also for parasites). - Tapping on a component it is added to the network and the impedance seen from your device toward the matching network is shown on the smith chart. - You can create a matching network both for input and output planes of the device. - Each network has its own termination (source or load), which can be a one port device or a two ports device where you can choose a termination for the second port. - Each termination can be defined by network parameters (S, Z, Y or h) and the parameters can be imported from a touchstone file. - Components supported: Resistor, Capacitor, Inductor, General impedance (R+jX), Transmission line, Parallel stub, series Stub (both shorted or open). - Each component can be cascaded in series or in parallel, no limits of components. - You can choose a frequency for the impedance calculation and a frequency span for the plot on the Smith Chart. - For S parameters, you can specify a dedicated characteristic impedance, the tool will renormalize the Γ of that termination to be correctly shown on the Smith chart, when the smith chart is defined on a different characteristic impedance. Device analysis: - You can insert the following parameters of a device: network parameters (S, Z, Y or h), specifications (Ga, Gp, Gt, NF), noise data (gamma s optimum noise, minimum NF, rn) and the input/output reflection coefficients. - You can convert network parameters (S, Z, Y, h), and the port type (Γ, Z, Y). - While you are inserting data, you will see the computed results appearing on the chart and on the relative fields. - Results representable on the smith chart: input/output stability circles, power gain and noise circles (equiGa, Gp, Gt, NF circles), reflection coefficients towards load and source and optimum power coefficients. - Other results: obtained power gains and noise (Ga, Gp, Gt, NF) and stability (D, K, kind of stability). - You can display on the Smith chart the input impedance of your component versus frequency (as a function of load impedance) when importing a touchstone file. - For S parameters, you can specify a different characteristic impedance and the tool will automatically convert it to the one defined for the Smith chart, it will let you know the new renormalized parameters.

Screenshots

Smith Charts4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Moku at Free against Smith Charts's $3.99. Moku also leads on rating (4.7 vs 3.7) and review sentiment (100% vs 67%). Smith Charts's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months) and device support (3 vs 1). On ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Moku is free to download; Smith Charts costs $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Moku holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9 and 3 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Moku's written reviews are positive against 67% of Smith Charts's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Moku ships an update every 2 months, Smith Charts every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Moku versus Smith Charts: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMokuSmith Charts
PriceFree — better$3.99
Rating4.7 (9 ratings) — better3.7 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better66.7% of reviews
Number of ratings9 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS9.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size220 MB24 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLiquid InstrumentsEdoardo Orzes

Customer experience

Moku

All ratings9 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral11.1%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Smith Charts

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

None

Moku

No in-app purchases

None

Smith Charts

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Moku free?
Moku is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Smith Charts free?
Smith Charts costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Moku or Smith Charts?
Moku is rated higher. Moku averages 4.7 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while Smith Charts averages 3.7 from 3 ratings.
Do Moku or Smith Charts have ads?
Neither Moku nor Smith Charts shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Moku or Smith Charts?
Moku ships an update every 2 months, and Smith Charts every 3 weeks. Most recently, Moku was updated on October 29, 2026 and Smith Charts on October 30, 2026.

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