RS vs iFTx
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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.
iFTx
This app enables seamless communication using FT8 and FT4 digital modes directly from your iOS device. Enjoy portable digital connections, effortless operation with a user-friendly interface, and reliable performance for global contact.
- FT8 and FT4 digital modes
- Portable digital communication
- Global operator connections
- User-friendly interface
- Integrated QSO logging
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Introducing iFTx: The Essential iOS App for FT8 and FT4 Digital Modes! - Seamlessly Engage: iFTx brings FT8 and FT4 digital modes to your iOS device, enabling convenient and portable digital communication. - Anytime, Anywhere: Enjoy the flexibility to connect with operators globally from the comfort of your iOS device. - Effortless Operation: Navigate the user-friendly interface for quick setup and real-time messaging. - Reliable Performance: Experience clear signals and adapt to changing propagation conditions with ease. - Log Your Success: Keep track of your contacts effortlessly with integrated QSO logging.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: iFTx at 72% against RS's 15%. iFTx also leads on rating (4.2 vs 1.9). RS's advantage is price (Free vs $1.99). On ratings volume, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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
RS is free to download; iFTx costs $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
iFTx holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 1.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 76 and 70 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 15% of RS's written reviews are positive against 72% of iFTx's.
RS ships an update every 8 months, iFTx every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | RS | iFTx |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $1.99 |
| Rating | 1.9 (76 ratings) | 4.2 (70 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 14.7% of reviews | 71.8% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 76 — better | 70 |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | Every 6 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 34 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ICOM INCORPORATED | Christoph Nadig |
Customer experience
RS
iFTx
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
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- 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
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- 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
iFTx
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
RS
No in-app purchases
iFTx
No in-app purchases








