Comparison

RS vs RepeaterPhone

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

Head to head
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.

About

RepeaterPhone

Connect your mobile device to EchoLink or AllStarLink radio nodes, repeaters, and conferences. Features a push-to-talk interface, node directory search, and favorites for quick access. Supports Bluetooth headsets and includes a watch extension for convenient control.

Highlights
  • Push-to-talk interface
  • EchoLink/AllStarLink node connection
  • Node directory search
  • Favorite nodes
  • Bluetooth headset support
  • Watch extension control
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Note: This app is for licensed Amateur Radio operators only. RepeaterPhone provides the ability to connect your mobile device to EchoLink or AllStarLink nodes, including repeaters and conferences. Push to talk today! You will need an account with either the EchoLink or AllStarLink networks. Please see https://www.echolink.org or https://www.allstarlink.org, respectively, for more details - Push-to-talk interface - Browse or search the directory for available nodes - Mark favorites with a star for quick access - Supports various audio devices, including Bluetooth headsets - Fully integrated into your phone's recent call system - Includes a watch extension for dialing favorites and controlling push-to-talk - Sharing your device with a licensed family member? Switch accounts easily

Screenshots

RS4 screens
RepeaterPhone4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: RepeaterPhone at 71% against RS's 15%. RepeaterPhone also leads on rating (4.4 vs 1.9) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 8 months). RS's advantage is price (Free vs $7.99). On ratings volume, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

RS is free to download; RepeaterPhone costs $7.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

RepeaterPhone holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 1.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 77 and 89 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 15% of RS's written reviews are positive against 71% of RepeaterPhone's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RS ships an update every 8 months, RepeaterPhone every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
RS versus RepeaterPhone: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRSRepeaterPhone
PriceFree — better$7.99
Rating1.9 (77 ratings)4.4 (89 ratings) — better
Positive reviews14.7% of reviews71.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings7789 — better
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
Best chart rank—#51 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS16.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size34 MB14 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperICOM INCORPORATEDWeston Bustraan

Customer experience

RS

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

RepeaterPhone

All ratings88 ratings
Positive84.1%
Neutral4.5%
Negative11.4%
Written reviews59 reviews
Positive71.2%
Neutral10.2%
Negative18.6%

User reviews

RS

From 77 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Works with IC-705
  • 👍 Works with ID-52
  • 👍 Map feature useful
  • 👍 Past contacts visible
  • 👍 Quick bug fixes

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes on map screen
  • 🐛 Crashes when sending photos
  • 🐛 Bluetooth connectivity issues
  • 🐛 Not connecting to ID-52
  • 🐛 Not connecting to iPhone

RepeaterPhone

From 89 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Excellent audio quality
  • 👍 Works well for Allstar and EchoLink
  • 👍 Great for travel/remote access
  • 👍 Intuitive and easy to use interface
  • 👍 Good value for the price

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes
  • 🐛 Volume too low/audio issues
  • 🐛 Connection issues with some nodes/networks
  • 🐛 App closes when screen locks/in background
  • 🐛 Authentication/login failures

Bugs and 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

RepeaterPhone

Reported bugs

18 issues
  • Authentication failed on setup
  • App crashes with latest iOS
  • iPhone 16 Pro will not connect
  • Many Allstar nodes reject connection attempts
  • Crashes sometimes, interrupting calls
Show 13 more
  • Failed to load list of stations
  • Randomly disconnects
  • Hubs error out with 'Rejected: No authority found'
  • Crashes under iOS 17.6
  • App doesn’t work on Echolink
  • Connection closes when screen locks
  • Receive volume very low after iOS 16
  • Audio seems less than fully baked, low volume
  • Trying to change speakers mutes app
  • Private nodes stay keyed after unkeying
  • App reads 'Account not found'
  • Callsign beginning with a number times out at 45secs
  • Supermon stops reporting during local private node connection

Requested features

14 requests
  • DTMF presets on dial page
  • Apple CarPlay integration
  • CQ function inclusion
  • Organize nodes by location/group chat
  • See total people connected before connecting
Show 9 more
  • Search for nodes by location
  • More sorting for repeater list
  • Last heard map/list
  • Listen-only mode
  • Dialer for Allstar codes (*72 etc.)
  • Android app with PTT
  • Macros to hound and disconnect nodes
  • Map of AllStar node location
  • Adjustable mic level slider

In-app purchases

None

RS

No in-app purchases

None

RepeaterPhone

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is RS free?
RS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is RepeaterPhone free?
RepeaterPhone costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, RS or RepeaterPhone?
RepeaterPhone is rated higher. RS averages 1.9 out of 5 from 77 ratings, while RepeaterPhone averages 4.4 from 89 ratings.
Do RS or RepeaterPhone have ads?
Neither RS nor RepeaterPhone shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RS or RepeaterPhone?
RS ships an update every 8 months, and RepeaterPhone every 2 months. Most recently, RS was updated on November 6, 2026 and RepeaterPhone on November 7, 2026.

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