APRS Passcode vs Packet Commander
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- APRS Passcode Recovery
- Enter valid callsign
- Compatible with APRS client software
- Useful for desktop applications
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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.
Packet Commander
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.
- 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
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Packet Commander brings a classic terminal experience for packet radio to your iPhone or iPad. Try it free. The download includes 5 full connection sessions so you can explore the features and confirm compatibility before purchasing. After that, a purchase is required to continue connecting. Note: An amateur radio license is required to operate on the air. Powerful Terminal • Full-screen terminal for interacting with packet nodes and BBS over amateur radio • Classic color themes inspired by iconic computers • Adjustable fonts and layout for readability and screen efficiency • YAPP protocol support for file transfers • Dictation-ready for composing messages hands-free • Smart filename selection — double tap to highlight and copy Smarter Packet Connections • Location-aware digipeater routing: automatically recalls the last-used path at each location • Seamless iCloud sync for nodes and digipeaters across all your devices • Compatible with popular packet node software including BPQ32, URONode, and others Over-the-Air Monitor Connect to your radio and decode over-the-air traffic in real time. AX.25 frames are decoded and presented in an easy-to-read format. • Filter traffic to display exactly what you’re looking for • Search by address or content • Export the log to a file for later analysis Works with the Gear You Love • Auto-discovery of Bluetooth and TCP TNCs, including Dire Wolf on DigiPi • Automatic frequency set/restore on supported radios • Built-in, high-performance 1200 baud AFSK software modem • Optimized for VHF/UHF packet at both 1200 and 9600 baud Compatible with the Following Radios and TNCs: Radios with Built-in TNCs (Auto-sets and restores frequency on those radios) · BTECH UV-PRO, UV-50PRO · VERO VR-N76, VR-N7600 · RADIODITY GA-5WB, DB50-B · Kenwood TH-D74*, TH-D75* · PicoAPRS V4 *Requires B.B. Link Bluetooth adapter Portable KISS TNCs · Mobilinkd TNC3, TNC4 · LiNK500 TNC · DigiPi · Dire Wolf Software TNC Audio Interfaces (Using built-in software modem) · Digirig Lite · Digirig VOX PTT Cable · AIOC (All-In-One Cable) Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Packet Commander at 100% against APRS Passcode's 20%. Packet Commander also leads on rating (4.9 vs 1.8) and ratings volume (44 vs 5). APRS Passcode's advantage is iOS requirement (8.0 vs 18.2). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. APRS Passcode sells 2 one-off in-app purchases 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 1.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Packet Commander has 44 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 20% of APRS Passcode's written reviews are positive against 100% of Packet Commander's.
| Parameter | APRS Passcode | Packet Commander |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 1.8 (5 ratings) | 4.9 (44 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 20.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 5 | 44 — better |
| Update frequency | — | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 8.0 — better | 18.2 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 46 MB | 10 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | P8G Software | Island Magic Co. |
Customer experience
APRS Passcode
Packet Commander
In-app purchases
APRS Passcode
- Generate APRS Passcode$0.99
- Generate New APRS Passcode$0.99
Packet Commander
- Yearly Subscription$8.991 Year
- One-Time Purchase$24.99









