# HamAlert vs Echo

The clearest difference is rating: Echo at 4.9 against HamAlert's 4.0. Echo also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 67%) and update cadence (every 9 days vs every 5 months). HamAlert's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). On price, ratings volume, ads and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Echo sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. HamAlert asks for nothing beyond the download.

Echo holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 34 and 36 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of HamAlert's written reviews are positive against 100% of Echo's.

HamAlert ships an update every 5 months, Echo every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | HamAlert | Echo |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (34 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hamalert/id1200759798/reviews) | **[4.9 (36 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/echo-global-sdr-receiver/id6759174390/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 34 | **36** |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 9 days** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 11 MB | 12 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Manuel Kasper](https://appshunter.io/developer/1200759797) | [Mark Garrison Jr.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1877165041) |

## What reviewers say

### HamAlert

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hamalert/id1200759798)

Receive instant push notifications for desired amateur radio contacts. Filter alerts by various criteria like callsign, band, mode, and location. Stay updated on DX spots from multiple sources.

**Highlights:** Push notifications for desired stations, Filter spots by DXCC, callsign, and location, Support for Reverse Beacon Network, SOTAwatch, DX cluster, PSK Reporter, Filter by band, mode, and time, Filter by spotter callsign and DXCC

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Echo

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/echo-global-sdr-receiver/id6759174390)

Tune into thousands of remote radio servers worldwide from your iPhone or iPad. Explore shortwave broadcasts, aviation communications, and more with a global interactive map and advanced tuning features. Enjoy uninterrupted background audio and a privacy-first experience.

**Highlights:** Global interactive map and search, Support for multiple SDR architectures, Scanner mode and OpenMHz archives, Pro-level tuning and analytics, Offline frequency library and logging, Uninterrupted background audio, Privacy-first design

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Echo Pro Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Echo Pro Annual | $39.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is HamAlert free?

HamAlert is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Echo free?

Echo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, HamAlert or Echo?

Echo is rated higher. HamAlert averages 4.0 out of 5 from 34 ratings, while Echo averages 4.9 from 36 ratings.

### Do HamAlert or Echo have ads?

Neither HamAlert nor Echo shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, HamAlert or Echo?

HamAlert ships an update every 5 months, and Echo every 9 days. Most recently, HamAlert was updated on November 2, 2026 and Echo on November 5, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*