Comparison

HamAlert vs RagChew

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

Head to head
About

HamAlert

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
Read full description

This app is a companion to the HamAlert web site (hamalert.org) and lets you receive push notifications from HamAlert. HamAlert is a system that allows amateur radio operators to get notifications when a desired station appears on the DX cluster, the Reverse Beacon Network, SOTAwatch, POTA, WWFF Spotline, or PSK Reporter. Spots can be filtered by various criteria, including: • DXCC (both actual and callsign home DXCC) • Callsign • Island reference • Summit reference • Park reference • CQ zone • Continent • Band • Mode • Time and days of week • Source • Spotter callsign and DXCC

About

RagChew

Features
Read full description

RagChew is a companion app for amateur radio operators who want to follow nets without being at their radio. It connects to NetLogger and shows you what's happening on active nets in real time. EchoLink (Still in Beta and may be buggy): RagChew now includes EchoLink support. You can listen to nets over EchoLink audio directly in the app and transmit using the built-in push-to-talk button. A live audio level bar and connection quality indicator keep you informed while you're connected. Node descriptions are available to help you identify links and repeaters. Notifications: RagChew can send you push notifications so you don't have to keep the app open to stay informed. You can receive alerts when a net you've favorited goes active, when a favorited station checks into any net, and for other activity you choose to follow. Notifications are configurable so you only hear about what's relevant to you. Check-ins: The full check-in roster is displayed as operators join, including callsign, name, and status. You can see who is currently operating, who is mobile, and who has checked out. Tapping a check-in expands additional details and provides a link to the operator's QRZ profile. Net chat: If you monitor a net, you can read and send messages in the net's chat. The full message history is available, and you can react to individual messages. NetLogger-style text formatting is supported. Map: Check-ins are plotted on a map based on their logged positions, giving you a geographic view of who is participating in the net. Favorites and monitors: You can favorite nets and individual callsigns to track activity that matters to you. You can also see which other operators are currently monitoring any given net. Net history: Recently closed nets are available to browse, including their full check-in rosters and session information. Groups: Nets can be browsed by club or group, with group descriptions and associated net listings. iPad and landscape layouts: On iPad, the net detail screen uses a split layout that displays net information, the station map, check-ins, and chat simultaneously. On iPhone, a landscape layout presents check-ins and chat side by side. Both portrait and landscape orientations are supported on all devices. Account: Sign in with your existing NetLogger credentials. No separate account is required. Favorites, monitors, and chat require a login; active net listings and basic check-in information are available without one. The app supports light, dark, and automatic appearance modes and is available on iPhone and iPad.

Screenshots

HamAlert1 screens
RagChew4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: HamAlert at Free against RagChew's $4.99. On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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

HamAlert is free to download; RagChew costs $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HamAlert ships an update every 5 months, RagChew every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
HamAlert versus RagChew: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHamAlertRagChew
PriceFree — better$4.99
Rating4.0 (34 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings34 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB43 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperManuel KasperTim Morgan

In-app purchases

None

HamAlert

No in-app purchases

None

RagChew

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is HamAlert free?
HamAlert is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is RagChew free?
RagChew costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do HamAlert or RagChew have ads?
Neither HamAlert nor RagChew shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HamAlert or RagChew?
HamAlert ships an update every 5 months, and RagChew every 3 months. Most recently, HamAlert was updated on October 12, 2026 and RagChew on October 4, 2026.

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