# BlueDV vs HamSphere 5.0

The clearest difference is rating: HamSphere 5.0 at 3.9 against BlueDV's 3.1. HamSphere 5.0 also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 4 months). BlueDV's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 30) and review sentiment (52% vs 38%). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. HamSphere 5.0 sells 30 one-off in-app purchases. BlueDV asks for nothing beyond the download.

HamSphere 5.0 holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 3.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 24 and 7 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 52% of BlueDV's written reviews are positive against 38% of HamSphere 5.0's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

BlueDV ships an update every 4 months, HamSphere 5.0 monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | BlueDV | HamSphere 5.0 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.1 (24 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bluedv/id1186753798/reviews) | **[3.9 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hamsphere-50/id6447489061/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **24** | 7 |
| Positive reviews | **52.2% of reviews** | 37.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 39 MB | 4 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [David Grootendorst](https://appshunter.io/developer/930678749) | [HamSphere AB](https://appshunter.io/developer/1496331754) |

## What reviewers say

### BlueDV

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bluedv/id1186753798)

Transform your Apple device into a DMR and Fusion hotspot. This app enables seamless connectivity with a DVMEGA and iBlueStack for amateur radio communication.

**Highlights:** DMR hotspot functionality, Fusion hotspot functionality, Works with DVMEGA, Works with iBlueStack, Utilizes Apple device

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### HamSphere 5.0

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hamsphere-50/id6447489061)

This virtual ham radio transceiver simulates HF bands from 10-160m, including 6m, 2m, and 70cm. It features USB, LSB, and CW modes, power settings, and built-in audio filters. Additional instruments can be unlocked via in-app purchases.

**Highlights:** Virtual HF bands (10-160m), 6m, 2m, and 70cm bands, USB, LSB, and CW modes, Built-in audio filters, Power setting, In-app purchase instrument expansions

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (30)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 3el T-yagi E (30m) | $4.99 | one-time |
| 3el T-yagi E (40m) | $4.99 | one-time |
| 3el T-yagi W (20m) | $4.99 | one-time |
| 3el T-yagi E (20m) | $4.99 | one-time |
| G5RV North-South (10-160m) | $4.99 | one-time |
| J-Pole (12m) | $6.99 | one-time |
| J-Pole (17m) | $6.99 | one-time |
| Plugizer MBP009 | $6.99 | one-time |
| Lookup Box MBP011 | $6.99 | one-time |
| J-Pole (11m) | $6.99 | one-time |
| J-Pole (20m) | $6.99 | one-time |
| Log Book MBP003 | $6.99 | one-time |
| DX-Monitor MBP008 | $6.99 | one-time |
| Waterfall MBP002 | $6.99 | one-time |
| Antenna Selector MBP004 | $6.99 | one-time |
| Antenna Rotator MBP005 | $6.99 | one-time |
| Oscilloscope MBP006 | $6.99 | one-time |
| DX-Cluster MBP010 | $6.99 | one-time |
| 8-Band Omni Whip (10-40m) | $6.99 | one-time |
| J-Pole (10m) | $6.99 | one-time |
| G5RV East-West (10-160m) | $6.99 | one-time |
| Moxon (20m) | $14.99 | one-time |
| Moxon (12m) | $14.99 | one-time |
| Moxon (17m) | $14.99 | one-time |
| Moxon (10m) | $14.99 | one-time |
| Moxon (11m) | $14.99 | one-time |
| Bruce Array (60m) | $24.99 | one-time |
| Bruce Array (80m) | $24.99 | one-time |
| VU2NSB Dangler (20,17, 12,10m) | $29.99 | one-time |
| HamSphere Subscription | $29.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is BlueDV free?

BlueDV is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is HamSphere 5.0 free?

HamSphere 5.0 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, BlueDV or HamSphere 5.0?

HamSphere 5.0 is rated higher. BlueDV averages 3.1 out of 5 from 24 ratings, while HamSphere 5.0 averages 3.9 from 7 ratings.

### Do BlueDV or HamSphere 5.0 have ads?

Neither BlueDV nor HamSphere 5.0 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, BlueDV or HamSphere 5.0?

BlueDV ships an update every 4 months, and HamSphere 5.0 monthly. Most recently, BlueDV was updated on October 8, 2026 and HamSphere 5.0 on September 23, 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.*