# APRS pro Deluxe vs Packet Commander

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Packet Commander at 100% against APRS pro Deluxe's 8%. Packet Commander also leads on rating (4.9 vs 1.5). APRS pro Deluxe's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 18.2). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. APRS pro Deluxe sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $2.49 per month and Packet Commander sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Packet Commander holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 1.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 22 and 48 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 8% of APRS pro Deluxe's written reviews are positive against 100% of Packet Commander's.

APRS pro Deluxe ships an update fortnightly, Packet Commander every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | APRS pro Deluxe | Packet Commander |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.5 (22 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aprs-pro-deluxe/id1163741288/reviews) | **[4.9 (48 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/packet-commander/id6743951365/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 22 | **48** |
| Positive reviews | 8.1% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 24 MB | 10 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 18.2 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Duarte Braga](https://appshunter.io/developer/1163741287) | [Island Magic Co.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1529387252) |

## What reviewers say

### APRS pro Deluxe

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aprs-pro-deluxe/id1163741288)

This app allows ham radio operators to receive and transmit APRS data. It features a real-time map interface, optional direct radio connection via audiomodem, and the ability to search for repeaters, events, and weather reports. Users can broadcast their location and status, chat with other hams, and customize their beacon symbol.

**Highlights:** Real-time global APRS map, Built-in 300/1200 baud TNC audiomodem, Optional direct HF/VHF radio connection, Search for repeaters, nodes, and events, Broadcast custom beacons with location and status, Chat with other ham radio operators, Dynamic beacon symbol customization

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| D-Star Repeaters List - Monthly Subscription | $2.49 | per month |
| Receive messages while offline - 1 Year Subscription | $4.49 | per year |
| Enable APRS TX - 1 Year Subscription | $9.49 | per year |
| SPOT Satellite to APRS - 1 Year Subscription | $13.99 | per year |
| Delorme inReach to APRS - 1 Year Subscription | $14.99 | per year |
| Unlock All Features (Old customers) | Free | one-time |
| Change My Symbol based on speed | $7.99 | one-time |
| Enable APRS TX - Lifetime | $17.99 | one-time |
| Unlock All Features - Lifetime | $44.99 | one-time |


### Packet Commander

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/packet-commander/id6743951365)

This app provides a classic terminal experience for packet radio communication on mobile devices. It offers powerful terminal features, smart connection management, and real-time over-the-air traffic monitoring. It's designed for amateur radio operators to connect with nodes, BBS, and decode traffic.

**Highlights:** Full-screen terminal for packet nodes and BBS, Classic color themes and adjustable layout, YAPP protocol support for file transfers, Location-aware digipeater routing, Seamless iCloud sync, Over-the-air traffic decoding, Auto-discovery of TNCs

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Yearly Subscription | $8.99 | per year |
| One-Time Purchase | $24.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is APRS pro Deluxe free?

APRS pro Deluxe is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Packet Commander free?

Packet Commander is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, APRS pro Deluxe or Packet Commander?

Packet Commander is rated higher. APRS pro Deluxe averages 1.5 out of 5 from 22 ratings, while Packet Commander averages 4.9 from 48 ratings.

### Do APRS pro Deluxe or Packet Commander have ads?

Neither APRS pro Deluxe nor Packet Commander shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, APRS pro Deluxe or Packet Commander?

APRS pro Deluxe ships an update fortnightly, and Packet Commander every 2 months. Most recently, APRS pro Deluxe was updated on October 24, 2026 and Packet Commander on October 24, 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.*