Comparison

SmartSDR™ vs ClearNode

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

Head to head
About

SmartSDR™

Control your FlexRadio SDR device from your iPad or iPhone. Access nearly all features of the desktop client, including digital modes, signal analysis, and remote operation via SmartLink. Requires compatible FlexRadio hardware.

Highlights
  • FT8 and FT4 support
  • SSTV TX and RX
  • APRS TX and RX
  • CW Decoder and keyer
  • Weather Fax decoder
  • Slice and Panadapter management
  • SmartLink remote access
Read full description

Official FlexRadio Systems® Client - All-Inclusive, no In-App Purchase! SmartSDR is a full featured radio client that enables your iPad or iPhone to operate your FlexRadio device. It is fully compatible to SmartSDR v1, v2 (including SmartLink) and v3 (including MultiFlex and SmartControl) and v4. Please note: This App requires a FlexRadio Systems® Series 6000 or 8000 or Aurora Software Defined Radio (SDR) Device. FACTS AND FEATURES: SmartSDR offers almost all features of SmartSDR for Windows such as: ■ Supports FT8 and FT4 (iPad and iPhone Max, Firmware 2 required) ■ SSTV TX and RX (NEW!) ■ APRS TX and RX (NEW!) ■ Included CW Decoder and keyer ■ Weather Fax (HF-Fax) Decoder ■ Creation, maintenance of Slices, TNFs, Filters ■ Unlimited number of Slices, Panadapters (limited only by radio model) ■ CWX support including Sidetone and live send mode ■ Software Paddle or Straight-Key support ■ Maintain all Radio, Slice and Panadapter settings ■ Support for Memories ■ Profiles integration (TX, Microphone and Global) ■ Audio settings supported including equalizers ■ Support for TX Settings like Power including all Tuning features ■ Transverter support ■ SmartLink™ remote access ■ APD / SmartSignal™ support ■ MultiFlex™ support ■ SmartControl support ■ HomeKit support to control radio, antenna switches etc. remotely ■ Direct support for Power Genius XL (PGXL), Tuner Genius (TGXL), Antenna Genius (AGXL) and Rotator Genius (RGXL) local and remote For HomeKit, you can use any Power Plug or Switch that are HomeKit compatible. In addition to SmartSDR for Windows, this App offers these features: ■ Band limits and Band maps and modes will be displayed inside the Pan adapter ■ DX Cluster support which displays spots directly inside the Pan adapter ■ Graphical tuning knob for easy and exact frequency selection. ■ Various additional minor bells and whistles such as easy TNF maintenance, ■ Direct Bandwidth selection, Split Mode, instant Memory creation and more. ■ Device logging and device parameter monitoring (e.g. PA Temperature etc.) ■ Logbook integration with ADIF Im- and Export ■ Support for two Bluetooth and USB Controllers ■ Voice Macro recording and playback There are just a few limitations compared to SmartSDR for Windows which are: - Only one Panadapter visible at the same time. - Diversity is not implemented. WHAT YOU NEED: - A FlexRadio Systems® FLEX-6000, 8000 or Aurora series radio - An iPhone or iPad that runs at least iOS 17, ideally the latest iOS version NETWORK REQUIREMENTS: To run this App at your home, nothing else but a regular WiFi connection is needed that can access your FLEX Radio. You can immediately start using the App. For Remote operation via SmartLink™ a Version 2 License is required for your Radio. The App supports Splitscreen Multitasking on the newer iPads so you can run SmartSDR in split mode parallel to your browser, Email software or any other App. SUPPORTED SDR HARDWARE: FLEX-6300, FLEX-6400, FLEX-6400M, FLEX-6500, FLEX-6600, FLEX-6600M, FLEX-6700,FLEX-8400, FLEX-8400M, FLEX-8600, FLEX-8600M, AU-510, AU-510M, AU-520, AU-520M Find out more here: https://ham-radio-apps.com Read the Manual: https://go-to.me/smartsdr-manual

About

ClearNode

This app provides remote control and management for ClearNode devices, enabling users to configure settings, connect to nodes, and control integrated radio functions. It also allows for audio stream playback and monitoring of multiple devices.

Highlights
  • Configure AllStar, Echolink, and DMR credentials
  • Control radio parameters (frequency, CTCSS, volume)
  • Connect/disconnect from remote nodes
  • Catalog and search active node lists
  • Monitor and control multiple devices
  • Play delayed audio streams
  • Power down or reboot device
Features
Read full description

The ClearNode App allows you to: - Set up your ClearNode with your AllStar, Echolink and DMR credentials and settings - Configure important parameters for Asterisk and USB Audio - Connect and disconnect your ClearNode device from remote nodes and servers - Keep a catalog of the nodes you have connected to - Search the AllStar, Echolink and DMR active node lists - Control the integrated radio: Tx/Rx frequency, CTCSS codes, Squelch, Volume, Emphasis, High Pass and Low Pass, bandwidth - Power down or reboot your ClearNode Device - Play a delayed stream (~20 sec) of the audio traffic on your ClearNode (Tx and Rx), also play the stream to your public Broadcastify account - The ClearNode App detects and displays your ClearNode's current IP Addresses - If you have multiple ClearNode devices you can monitor and control them all from a single ClearNode Mobile App This application is a support/remote control utility for ClearNode devices built by Gerry Filby/W6WNG.

Screenshots

SmartSDR™4 screens
ClearNode4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: ClearNode at Free against SmartSDR™'s $79.99. ClearNode also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.3) and in-app purchases (none vs 10). SmartSDR™'s advantage is ratings volume (132 vs 32) and iOS requirement (17.6 vs 26.0). On update cadence, ads, monetization model and device support 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

ClearNode is free to download; SmartSDR™ costs $79.99 up front. SmartSDR™ sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. ClearNode asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ClearNode holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 132 and 32 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 77% of SmartSDR™'s written reviews are positive against 100% of ClearNode's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SmartSDR™ ships an update every 2 weeks, ClearNode every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
SmartSDR™ versus ClearNode: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmartSDR™ClearNode
Price$79.99Free — better
Rating4.3 (132 ratings)4.8 (32 ratings) — better
Positive reviews76.7% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings132 — better32
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.6 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size64 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMarcus RoskoschGerry Filby

Customer experience

SmartSDR™

All ratings132 ratings
Positive79.5%
Neutral4.5%
Negative15.9%
Written reviews86 reviews
Positive76.7%
Neutral7.0%
Negative16.3%

ClearNode

All ratings32 ratings
Positive96.9%
Neutral3.1%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

10 purchases

SmartSDR™

One-time10
  • Region 1,2 and 3 Band PlanFree
  • DX-Cluster$5.99
  • Griffin PowerMate BT Controller support$5.99
Show 7 more
  • MidiController support$5.99
  • Logbook Add-on$5.99
  • Flic 2 Button support$5.99
  • Voice Macros$5.99
  • 4O3A Genius Device support$9.99
  • FT8$19.99
  • FlexRadio Device access$64.99
None

ClearNode

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SmartSDR™ free?
SmartSDR™ costs $79.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is ClearNode free?
ClearNode is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SmartSDR™ or ClearNode?
ClearNode is rated higher. SmartSDR™ averages 4.3 out of 5 from 132 ratings, while ClearNode averages 4.8 from 32 ratings.
Do SmartSDR™ or ClearNode have ads?
Neither SmartSDR™ nor ClearNode shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SmartSDR™ or ClearNode?
SmartSDR™ ships an update every 2 weeks, and ClearNode every 3 weeks. Most recently, SmartSDR™ was updated on October 24, 2026 and ClearNode on October 25, 2026.

Other comparisons