Q Codes vs FT Ham
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Q Codes
Access a comprehensive collection of standardized radiotelegraph communication codes, primarily for amateur radio use. This utility allows for rapid searching and lookup of any Q Code.
- Standardized Q Code collection
- Radiotelegraph communication codes
- Amateur radio focus
- Quick lookup functionality
- Comprehensive code database
Read full descriptionHide full description
Q Codes are a standardized collection of codes developed for radiotelegraph communication especially amateur radio. This tool is designed for quick look up of any Q Code
FT Ham
This application decodes and transmits FT8/FT4 signals for amateur radio operators. It features a live waterfall, real-time decoding, and automated QSO sequencing, all processed on your device. Optional premium features enhance radio control and logging capabilities.
- Live waterfall display
- Real-time FT8/FT4 decoding
- Audio transmission for QSOs
- Auto QSO sequencing
- Logbook with ADIF import/export
- Call alerts
- Contact map visualization
Read full descriptionHide full description
FT Ham – FT8/FT4 Decoder & Audio Transmitter for Amateur Radio. FT Ham puts a complete FT8 and FT4 station in your pocket. Decode, reply and log QSOs from your iPhone or iPad in real time. Decoding runs entirely on your device. WHAT FT HAM DOES - Live waterfall: color palettes, level controls and a label on every decoded signal. Tap near a signal to reply. - Real-time decoding: FT8 and FT4 from the microphone or a USB audio interface, with callsign, report, SNR and country. - Transmit: FT8 and FT4 audio for CQ, reports, RRR and 73, aligned to UTC slots and played through the speaker or your radio interface. - Auto QSO sequencing: answers CQ, follows even and odd cycles, retries when needed and logs the QSO when it is complete. - Manual control at any time: choose any message yourself. - Clear decode list: columns, an active QSO bar, NEW GRID and NEW DXCC badges and a Needed filter. - Call alerts: sound, vibration or a notification when someone calls you or a watched station is heard. - Accurate timing: slots follow network time for more reliable decodes. - Compound callsigns, optional 11 m and CB callsigns, and HF to 23 cm bands. - Logbook: edit, batch select, filter by date, undo, and ADIF import and export. - Contact map: see your logged QSOs and coverage on a map. - English, German, Spanish, French and Italian. FT HAM PREMIUM (OPTIONAL ONE-TIME PURCHASE) - CAT radio control through rigctld on your computer, with frequency sync and PTT. - QRZ Logbook, LoTW and eQSL upload with confirmation sync. - PSK Reporter spotting. - QSO statistics: charts by band and mode, DXCC counter and activity heatmaps. - iPad dashboard with the waterfall and messages side by side. Everything that was free before stays free. Premium is not a subscription. PRIVACY Your logbook and settings stay on your device. FT Ham sends anonymous crash reports and usage statistics (you can turn statistics off). QRZ, LoTW, eQSL and PSK Reporter only receive data after you turn them on. Full details at ftham.turrion.dev/privacy. GOOD TO KNOW Transmitting requires an amateur radio license. FT Ham only produces audio and your radio does the transmitting. Always follow your local regulations. The FT Ham core is open source under the MIT License. Premium features are proprietary. Third-party licenses are listed in the app.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: FT Ham at 100% against Q Codes's 50%. FT Ham also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.7) and ads (none vs shown). Q Codes's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4). On price, ratings volume, device support and iOS requirement 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. FT Ham sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Q Codes asks for nothing beyond the download.
FT Ham holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 4 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Q Codes's written reviews are positive against 100% of FT Ham's.
Q Codes ships an update every 8 months, FT Ham every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Q Codes | FT Ham |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.7 (7 ratings) | 4.8 (4 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 7 — better | 4 |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | Every 6 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Ad-supported — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | 16.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 26 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Jonathan Gibbs | PABLO TURRION SAN PEDRO |
Customer experience
Q Codes
FT Ham
In-app purchases
Q Codes
No in-app purchases
FT Ham
- Donation of 0.99 €$0.99
- FT Ham premium access$1.99
- Donation of 2,99 €$2.99
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- Donation of 4,99 €$3.99








