Comparison

TBScan vs HamAlert

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Quick trackable code recognition
  • Discover multiple trackables simultaneously
  • Offline functionality
  • View trackable missions
  • Attach photos to logs
  • Multiple log modes
Read full description

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

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

TBScan3 screens
HamAlert1 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. TBScan sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. HamAlert asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
TBScan versus HamAlert: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTBScanHamAlert
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (222 ratings) — better4.2 (29 ratings)
Positive reviews84.1% of reviews — better70.0% of reviews
Number of ratings222 — better29
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNicolas CamenischManuel Kasper

Customer experience

TBScan

All ratings222 ratings
Positive97.7%
Neutral0.5%
Negative1.8%
Written reviews107 reviews
Positive84.1%
Neutral2.8%
Negative13.1%

HamAlert

All ratings29 ratings
Positive72.4%
Neutral10.3%
Negative17.2%
Written reviews20 reviews
Positive70.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative20.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

TBScan

One-time1
  • TBScan Pro$2.99
None

HamAlert

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is TBScan free?
TBScan is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is HamAlert free?
HamAlert is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, TBScan or HamAlert?
TBScan is rated higher. TBScan averages 4.8 out of 5 from 222 ratings, while HamAlert averages 4.2 from 29 ratings.
Do TBScan or HamAlert have ads?
Neither TBScan nor HamAlert shows ads.
Which is updated more often, TBScan or HamAlert?
TBScan ships an update every 3 months, and HamAlert every 4 months. Most recently, TBScan was updated on September 9, 2026 and HamAlert on September 17, 2026.

Other comparisons