Comparison

Q Codes vs FT Ham

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Standardized Q Code collection
  • Radiotelegraph communication codes
  • Amateur radio focus
  • Quick lookup functionality
  • Comprehensive code database
Read 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

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read 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

Q Codes4 screens
FT Ham4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. FT Ham sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Q Codes asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Q Codes versus FT Ham: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterQ CodesFT Ham
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (7 ratings)4.8 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings7 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsEvery 6 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.616.6
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB26 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperJonathan GibbsPABLO TURRION SAN PEDRO

Customer experience

Q Codes

All ratings7 ratings
Positive71.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative28.6%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

FT Ham

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Q Codes

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

FT Ham

One-time4
  • Donation of 0.99 €$0.99
  • FT Ham premium access$1.99
  • Donation of 2,99 €$2.99
Show 1 more
  • Donation of 4,99 €$3.99

Questions

Is Q Codes free?
Q Codes is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is FT Ham free?
FT Ham is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Q Codes or FT Ham?
FT Ham is rated higher. Q Codes averages 3.7 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while FT Ham averages 4.8 from 4 ratings.
Do Q Codes or FT Ham have ads?
Q Codes shows ads; FT Ham does not.
Which is updated more often, Q Codes or FT Ham?
Q Codes ships an update every 8 months, and FT Ham every 6 days. Most recently, Q Codes was updated on November 2, 2026 and FT Ham on November 5, 2026.

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