# TBScan vs HamAlert

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | TBScan | HamAlert |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (222 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tbscan/id1122054655/reviews)** | [4.2 (29 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hamalert/id1200759798/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **222** | 29 |
| Positive reviews | **84.1% of reviews** | 70.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 months** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 18 MB | 10 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Nicolas Camenisch](https://appshunter.io/developer/1122054654) | [Manuel Kasper](https://appshunter.io/developer/1200759797) |

## What reviewers say

### TBScan

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tbscan/id1122054655)

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| TBScan Pro | $2.99 | one-time |


### HamAlert

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hamalert/id1200759798)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked 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.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*