Comparison

Q Codes vs SimpleSSTV

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

SimpleSSTV

This app allows ham radio operators to encode images into audio signals for transmission and decode received audio back into images. It supports various SSTV modes, live camera feeds, and even AI-generated QSL cards. Receive alerts for International Space Station SSTV events.

Highlights
  • Encode images to SSTV audio
  • Decode SSTV audio to images
  • Live camera feed with trigger modes
  • Support for 14 SSTV modes
  • AI-generated QSL calling cards
  • ISS SSTV event notifications
  • Audio setup and troubleshooting tips
Features
Read full description

SimpleSSTV is a native iOS app for encoding, decoding, and live-transmitting slow-scan television (SSTV) signals — the method ham radio operators use to share images over audio frequencies. Slow-scan television converts images to audio tones. Each pixel's brightness becomes a specific frequency between 1500-2300 Hz. Sync pulses at 1200 Hz mark line boundaries. The result is an audio signal you can transmit over any voice-capable radio, or record for later playback. SSTV has been used by amateur radio operators since the 1950s. It's still actively used today on HF bands, VHF repeaters, and for receiving images from the International Space Station. ENCODING (Image → Audio) • Load any image from your photo library, camera, or Files • Automatic resize and crop to SSTV resolution • 21 supported modes covering all major SSTV formats • Real-time encoding with progress visualization • Play audio directly through speakers for VOX-triggered transmission • Export to WAV or M4A for later use • Optional FSK ID and CW ID (Morse code) callsign transmission • Test pattern generator for signal testing LIVE CAMERA MODE • Real-time camera feed with front/back camera switching • Three trigger modes: Continuous, Motion-triggered, or Periodic interval • Adjustable motion sensitivity with adaptive background model • Captures and encodes directly from camera to audio • Perfect for portable operation, field day, and unattended stations DECODING (Audio → Image) • Load WAV, M4A, or MP3 audio files containing SSTV signals • Live microphone capture for real-time SSTV reception • Automatic mode detection via VIS code identification • Progressive line-by-line image preview during decode • FSK callsign detection from received signals • Precision audio trimming with dual-view waveform editor • Re-decode saved images with different mode, sync offset, or slant correction • Handles real-world signal imperfections: timing drift, noise, sample rate variations • Optional decode watermark stamps mode, timestamp, and callsign on received images • Waterfall spectrogram display shows signal frequency over time SUPPORTED MODES (21 total) • Martin M1, M2, M3, M4 • Scottie S1, S2, S3, S4, DX, DX2 • Robot 36, Robot 72, Robot BW8 • PD50, PD90, PD120, PD160, PD180, PD240, PD290 • Wraase SC2-180 ISS SSTV EVENTS • Get notified when the International Space Station transmits SSTV images • Automatic alerts before and during events, with frequency, mode, and callsign info • Info card on the decode tab with event details and countdown FAQ & SETUP TIPS • Practical advice on audio setup and USB adapters • Decode quality troubleshooting • Quick reference for all 21 SSTV modes IMAGE LIBRARY • Automatic saving of encoded and decoded images • Grid view with full preview, metadata, and sharing • Re-decode any saved image with different settings • Filter by encoded or decoded 10 LANGUAGES Available in Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Dutch, English, French, German, Polish, Portuguese (BR), Spanish, and Turkish — with full right-to-left support. PRIVACY No accounts, no analytics, no tracking. Your images and audio stay on your device. Free to encode and decode. Optional one-time Pro purchase unlocks watermark customization and Listening Station Mode. We do not use, sell or share your data for advertising or marketing purposes. Be aware: Encoded images are audio signals — anyone receiving the audio can decode them! REQUIREMENTS • iOS 17.6 or later • Camera access for live mode • Microphone access for live decode Built by a ham radio operator for ham radio operators. 73!

Screenshots

Q Codes4 screens
SimpleSSTV3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Q Codes at none against SimpleSSTV's 6. SimpleSSTV's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (monthly vs every 8 months). 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. SimpleSSTV sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Q Codes asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SimpleSSTV holds the better App Store score, 4.0 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 73% of SimpleSSTV's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Q Codes ships an update every 8 months, SimpleSSTV monthly. The most recent releases landed on July 7, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Q Codes versus SimpleSSTV: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterQ CodesSimpleSSTV
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (7 ratings)4.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews73.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings7 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsMonthly — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supportedFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS16.6 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB5 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperJonathan GibbsJeroen Rombouts

Customer experience

Q Codes

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

SimpleSSTV

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews15 reviews
Positive73.3%
Neutral6.7%
Negative20.0%

In-app purchases

None

Q Codes

No in-app purchases

6 purchases

SimpleSSTV

One-time6
  • Listening Station Mode$1.99
  • 10 AI Card Credits$1.99
  • Remove or change encoder watermark$2.99
Show 3 more
  • SimpleSSTV Pro$3.99
  • 30 AI Card Credits$3.99
  • 120 AI Card Credits$8.99

Questions

Is Q Codes free?
Q Codes is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SimpleSSTV free?
SimpleSSTV is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Q Codes or SimpleSSTV?
SimpleSSTV is rated higher. Q Codes averages 3.7 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while SimpleSSTV averages 4.0 from 4 ratings.
Do Q Codes or SimpleSSTV have ads?
Q Codes shows ads; SimpleSSTV does not.
Which is updated more often, Q Codes or SimpleSSTV?
Q Codes ships an update every 8 months, and SimpleSSTV monthly. Most recently, Q Codes was updated on July 7, 2026 and SimpleSSTV on September 21, 2026.

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