TBScan vs HamAlert
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
TBScan
Easily discover and log geocaching trackables using your device's camera. Scan codes instantly to identify trackables, view their missions, and log them without manual typing. Perfect for events and finding trackables in caches.
- Quick trackable code recognition
- Discover multiple trackables simultaneously
- Offline functionality
- View trackable missions
- Attach photos to logs
- Multiple log modes
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It has never been easier to discover Trackables. TBScan is a new and revolutionary iPhone app for every Geocacher. What many Geocachers have been dreaming about is now reality: With TBScan you can discover and log TBs and Coins without having to type the tracking code. As soon as you point your camera at the code it will instantly get recognised: It’s that easy! TBScan is perfect for events: Where you previously had to first write down every single tracking code on a piece of paper only to later manually key in every single one, you can now scan the trackables lightning-fast and discover them all at the same time. With the help of TBScan you can discover up to 10 trackables per minute. What is more, TBScan is a great helper when you encounter a Trackable in a cache. Quickly scan the code and you will see the mission of the TB or coin. Finally, if you want to take that Trackable on your journey you can also directly log it. Features: • Quick recognition of Trackable codes • Discover multiple Trackables at once • Works without an Internet connection • Check Trackable mission • Attach pictures to trackable logs • Different Log-Modes (Retrieve, Discover, Write Note, Grab) • Log templates • Trackable inventory • Select codes for individual logs • Scan Trackables from your photo library • Export Trackables codes • Geocaching API access
HamAlert
Receive instant push notifications for desired amateur radio contacts. Filter alerts by various criteria like callsign, band, mode, and location. Stay updated on DX spots from multiple sources.
- Push notifications for desired stations
- Filter spots by DXCC, callsign, and location
- Support for Reverse Beacon Network, SOTAwatch, DX cluster, PSK Reporter
- Filter by band, mode, and time
- Filter by spotter callsign and DXCC
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This app is a companion to the HamAlert web site (hamalert.org) and lets you receive push notifications from HamAlert. HamAlert is a system that allows amateur radio operators to get notifications when a desired station appears on the Reverse Beacon Network, SOTAwatch, the DX cluster or PSK Reporter. Spots can be filtered by various criteria, including: • DXCC (both actual and callsign home DXCC) • Callsign • Island reference • Summit reference • Park reference • CQ zone • Continent • Band • Mode • Time and days of week • Source • Spotter callsign and DXCC
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: TBScan at 4.8 against HamAlert's 4.2. TBScan also leads on review sentiment (84% vs 70%) and ratings volume (222 vs 29). HamAlert's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads 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
Both are free to download. TBScan sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. HamAlert asks for nothing beyond the download.
TBScan holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: TBScan has 222 ratings behind it against 29, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 84% of TBScan's written reviews are positive against 70% of HamAlert's.
TBScan ships an update every 3 months, HamAlert every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 9, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | TBScan | HamAlert |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (222 ratings) — better | 4.2 (29 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 84.1% of reviews — better | 70.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 222 — better | 29 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 18 MB | 10 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Nicolas Camenisch | Manuel Kasper |
Customer experience
TBScan
HamAlert
In-app purchases
TBScan
- TBScan Pro$2.99
HamAlert
No in-app purchases









