Comparison

APRS Passcode vs RS

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

Head to head
About

APRS Passcode

This utility helps licensed amateur radio operators recover their APRS passcode. Simply enter your valid callsign to receive the passcode needed for APRS client software. It's useful for various desktop APRS applications.

Highlights
  • APRS Passcode Recovery
  • Enter valid callsign
  • Compatible with APRS client software
  • Useful for desktop applications
Features
Read full description

This app will recover your APRS Passcode to be used on any APRS Client software. Only certified hams are allowed to connect to the APRS network. Once you use APRS Passcode Recovery, just enter your valid callsign and the app will inform you of your Passcode. This will be usefull to use desktop applications such as UI-View, APRS/CE, APRSISCE/32, AGWTracker, etc. Disclaimer: You need to hold a valid hamradio license in order to use the APRS Network. Once you generate your PassCode you can use it with any APRS Client. The generated PassCode is not SSID-dependent.

About

RS

Control compatible transceivers, share voice and pictures, and view station locations on a map. Access received station information, send text messages, and manage call sign and repeater lists. Customize transceiver and application settings for a streamlined experience.

Highlights
  • Transceiver DR functions
  • Send and receive voice and pictures
  • Map repeater and station locations
  • Read and edit received station information
  • Send and receive text messages
  • Manage call sign and repeater lists
  • Import/Export data
Features
Read full description

Functional overview of the application DR functions You can use some transceiver’s DR functions. Share pictures Send and receive voice and pictures. Map See the location of repeater sites or other stations on a map using received position data, or your transceiver’s repeater list. Automatically set the transceiver’s “FROM” and “TO” fields by tapping a repeater site or a station on the map. Receive History In the DV mode, read and edit the received station’s information. Download additional information from an Internet database, such as QRZ.com or APRS.fi. Text messaging Send and receive text messages. Call Sign list Edit call signs and names used in the DR function. Also, you can add a call sign and a name in the Call Sign list. Repeater list See the detailed data entered in the Repeater list. Transceiver settings Change some of the transceiver’s function settings. Application settings Select application software settings. Import Import a Repeater list or a Call Sign list. Export Export a Repeater list, a Call Sign list, or Receive History. See the transceiver’s instruction manual for details. The instruction manual can be downloaded from the ICOM web site. Device requirements The RS-MS1I operating requirements are as follows: iOS16 or later Usable transceivers (As of May 2026) - ID-4100A/E + Bluetooth unit (UT-137) - ID-52A or ID-52E *1 - ID-52A PLUS or ID-52E PLUS *2 - ID-5200A or ID-5200E *3 - IC-705 *4 *1 Supported in RS-MS1I Ver.1.1.0 or later. *2 Supported in RS-MS1I Ver.1.3.0 or later. *3 Supported in RS-MS1I Ver.1.4.0 or later. *4 Supported in RS-MS1I Ver.1.2.0 or later. Preparation To use the RS-MS1I with a supported transceiver, you need an optional Bluetooth unit. See your transceiver’s instruction manual for details. Transceiver’s settings Set the following functions as shown below to use the RS-MS1I. [Function] > [CI-V] > [CI-V Transceive]: ON [Bluetooth Set] > [Data Device Set] > [Serial Port Function]: CI-V (Echo back OFF) Note: - The RS-MS1I may not work with all iPhones or iPads, even if they are one of the tested devices. This is because an application program on your device may conflict with the RS-MS1I. - The RS-MS1I may not be used, depending on the OS version, installed application, and so on. - Bluetooth LE is used for the connection with the transceiver, so there may be a time delay between the transceiver’s operation and the display on the iPhone or iPad. - When sending or receiving pictures using “FAST mode,” the headset audio will be temporarily interrupted because of the transceiver’s Bluetooth unit limitations. - You may need to connect to the Internet through a Wireless LAN, an LTE network or a 5G network for some functions. - The RS-MS1I supports only portrait orientation with the iPhone. It does not support Auto Rotate. However, landscape orientation and Auto Rotate are supported with the iPad.

Screenshots

APRS Passcode2 screens
RS4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: RS at none against APRS Passcode's 2. RS also leads on ratings volume (76 vs 5). APRS Passcode's advantage is iOS requirement (8.0 vs 16.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads 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. APRS Passcode sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. RS asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 1.8 for APRS Passcode against 1.9 for RS. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RS has 76 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 20% of APRS Passcode's written reviews are positive against 15% of RS's.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
APRS Passcode versus RS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAPRS PasscodeRS
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.8 (5 ratings)1.9 (76 ratings) — better
Positive reviews20.0% of reviews — better14.7% of reviews
Number of ratings576 — better
Update frequency—Every 8 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS8.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size46 MB34 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperP8G SoftwareICOM INCORPORATED

Customer experience

APRS Passcode

All ratings5 ratings
Positive20.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative80.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive20.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative80.0%

RS

All ratings74 ratings
Positive18.9%
Neutral8.1%
Negative73.0%
Written reviews68 reviews
Positive14.7%
Neutral5.9%
Negative79.4%

Bugs and requests

APRS Passcode

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

RS

Reported bugs

29 issues
  • App crashes when using map function
  • App crashes on map screen
  • App closes when opening map
  • Not staying connected to the app
  • Connection unsuccessful error message
Show 24 more
  • Bluetooth pairing not working
  • Connects and immediately disconnects
  • Does not download full repeater list
  • Bluetooth connection fails
  • App crashes when selecting a picture to send
  • Photo import force closes app
  • App bombing out when trying to add a photo
  • Attempting to transfer photos crashes every time
  • Cannot get app to pair
  • App sees radio but won't connect
  • App won't connect
  • Cannot connect app to iPhone
  • ID-52A not pairing
  • App instantly sees device but fails to connect
  • Bluetooth connection does not happen
  • App crashes trying to share photo
  • App picture send capability is INOP
  • App force closes / crashes on photo import
  • Cannot get it to connect on either device
  • App doesn't work with ICOM ID-5100
  • App doesn't work with 4100 on iOS 15
  • App doesn't work with iPhone 6s+
  • Bluetooth connection does not happen after lengthy labours
  • App has not been updated in almost a year

Requested features

12 requests
  • Add support for ID-5100
  • Add support for ID-51A Plus 2
  • Add support for ID-50
  • Add support for IC-705
  • Improve repeater list
Show 7 more
  • Import repeater lists via Files/OneDrive/Dropbox
  • Serial port support via USB
  • Add support for ID-4100A with BT module
  • Add support for IC-2820
  • Update for iOS 15
  • Update for iOS 16
  • Update for iOS 18

In-app purchases

2 purchases

APRS Passcode

One-time2
  • Generate APRS Passcode$0.99
  • Generate New APRS Passcode$0.99
None

RS

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is APRS Passcode free?
APRS Passcode is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is RS free?
RS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, APRS Passcode or RS?
RS is rated higher. APRS Passcode averages 1.8 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while RS averages 1.9 from 76 ratings.
Do APRS Passcode or RS have ads?
Neither APRS Passcode nor RS shows ads.

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