Comparison

CW Trainer vs RST Decoder Pro

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

Head to head
About

CW Trainer

Learn Morse code using the effective Koch method. This app introduces letters at full speed, adding new ones as proficiency increases, to build and improve your Morse code skills.

Highlights
  • Morse code learning
  • Koch method implementation
  • Proficiency-based learning
  • Skill improvement
Features
Read full description

CW Trainer — Learn & Practice Morse Code Become a real CW operator. CW Trainer takes you from your first letters all the way to real QSOs and contests, with a radio simulator that sounds and responds like the real thing. PROGRESSIVE KOCH METHOD Learn Morse code one letter at a time with the proven Koch method. A 40-lesson curriculum, per-character accuracy stats, and automatic progression when you're ready. QSO WITH AI OPERATOR Have realistic radio conversations with an intelligent operator. You call, copy, exchange RST, name, QTH — and if you miss something, the operator repeats it, just like on the air. Every QSO is with a different station from around the world, and you get a score and coaching at the end. CONTEST MODE Train for CQ WW and WPX contests in Search & Pounce or Running. Pile-ups, rapid exchanges, ever-changing callsigns, and realistic error handling. MAKE IT YOURS Speeds from 5 to 60 WPM, a level system from Bronze to Legend, daily reminders, and leaderboards to challenge other operators. TRY IT FREE, THEN DECIDE You can use the app with no sign-up and no payment: • the first 9 lessons of the Koch course • 5 Callsign Trainer sessions and 5 Pile-up sessions • 7 QSOs with the AI operator, Contest included • stats, leaderboard, ranks and achievements, always included When you want to go further there are two separate options: • Full unlock — one-time purchase, yours forever: all 40 Koch lessons, unlimited Callsign and Pile-up • DX Pass — monthly or annual subscription, with a 7-day free trial on the annual plan: unlimited AI QSOs and Contest AI, with coaching after every QSO You can cancel the subscription at any time in your Apple settings. Purchases are tied to your Apple ID — use "Restore purchases" on a new iPhone. 73 and enjoy CW! This app uses Apple's Standard End User License Agreement: http://www.apple.com/legal/itunes/appstore/dev/stdeula Privacy: https://md2tech.it/privacy.html

About

RST Decoder Pro

This application decodes Morse code from your device's microphone, offering two decoding methods (BPF and FFT) with adjustable parameters. It includes features like automatic frequency detection, gain control, and real-time signal display for accurate Morse code practice and reception.

Highlights
  • Microphone Morse code decoding
  • BPF and FFT decoding methods
  • Auto Frequency Detector (AFD)
  • Auto Gain Control (AGC)
  • Real-time CW signal display
  • Waterfall display (Pro version)
  • Adjustable control parameters
Read full description

This is an App that decodes Morse code input from the microphone. I recommend that you try the basic functions and usage with the free version before purchasing. It is a Morse practice App that you can use to check if you are keying the correct code. Signals with good S/N can be decoded correctly, but signals with bad S/N cannot be decoded correctly. Also, the performance will be degraded for extremely slow or fast signals. Usually about 5 to 10 characters are required for speed synchronization of Morse Code. Adjust the input signal so that the peak value changes from level 6 to level 7. Make fine adjustments to each parameter according to the reception status. [Additional Functions] -In addition to the decoder using BPF, a new decoder using FFT has been added so that it can be switched according to the usage. -AFD (Auto Frequency Detector) function has been added to the decoder using BPF, and BPF can be set automatically by pressing the AFD button. -The decoder using FFT automatically follows the strongest signal in the band by AFD (Auto Frequency Detector) and AGC (Auto Gain Control). You can also hold the AFD / AGC parameters by pressing the Lock button. * There will be a time lag of about 1 to 2 seconds for AFD tracking. * The Pro version also supports waterfall display. [Control parameters] 1.Language select English and Japanese(KANA) 2.Audio Input Level 3.BPF ON/OFF 4.BPF of Center Frequency 5.BPF of Band Width 6.BPF of Shape 7.Notch ON/OFF 8.Notch of Center Frequency 9.CW Speed Control ON/OFF 10.CW Speed Control Low, Mid1, Mid2 or High 11.Delete All Decoded Text 12.Realtime CW Signal Display 13.Input signal recording function. 14.Playback function from the file list. 15.Support the Garbage Data reduction function [Note] Since the signal after BPF is output to the audio output, it can also be used as an AF-CW filter. [URL of this App(Free version) working example video] The GUI is slightly different, but the basic functionality is the same. https://youtu.be/Pwp7W4m-m34

Screenshots

CW Trainer4 screens
RST Decoder Pro4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: CW Trainer at Free against RST Decoder Pro's $1.99. CW Trainer also leads on ratings volume (4 vs 1) and device support (3 vs 1). RST Decoder Pro's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 1.8) and in-app purchases (none vs 2). On review sentiment, ads and monetization model 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

CW Trainer is free to download; RST Decoder Pro costs $1.99 up front. CW Trainer sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. RST Decoder Pro asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

RST Decoder Pro holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 1.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 1 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 44% of CW Trainer's written reviews are positive against 50% of RST Decoder Pro's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CW Trainer ships an update every 3 months, RST Decoder Pro monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
CW Trainer versus RST Decoder Pro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCW TrainerRST Decoder Pro
PriceFree — better$1.99
Rating1.8 (4 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews44.4% of reviews50.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings4 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size78 MB1 MB
Age rating4+17+
Developermdkoji kamogawa

Customer experience

CW Trainer

All ratings4 ratings
Positive25.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative75.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive44.4%
Neutral11.1%
Negative44.4%

RST Decoder Pro

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

CW Trainer

Subscriptions1
  • DX Pass — Monthly$3.991 Month
One-time1
  • CW Trainer — Full Unlock$4.99
None

RST Decoder Pro

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is CW Trainer free?
CW Trainer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is RST Decoder Pro free?
RST Decoder Pro costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, CW Trainer or RST Decoder Pro?
RST Decoder Pro is rated higher. CW Trainer averages 1.8 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while RST Decoder Pro averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do CW Trainer or RST Decoder Pro have ads?
Neither CW Trainer nor RST Decoder Pro shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CW Trainer or RST Decoder Pro?
CW Trainer ships an update every 3 months, and RST Decoder Pro monthly. Most recently, CW Trainer was updated on September 27, 2026 and RST Decoder Pro on October 6, 2026.

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