Comparison

HamAlert vs HamThings PTT

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

HamThings PTT

Connect your ham radio to your iPhone for internet-based communication on DMR digital networks and analog SvxLink reflectors. Supports multiple networks and offers real-time push-to-talk, DMR features, and last heard information. Requires a valid amateur radio license.

Highlights
  • Real-time push-to-talk over IP
  • DMR digital network support
  • SvxLink analog reflector connectivity
  • Multi-network compatibility
  • Real-time Last Heard display
  • DMR text messaging
  • Background wake-up for calls
Features
Read full description

HamThings PTT brings your ham radio to your iPhone. Connect over the Internet and talk on DMR digital networks and analog SvxLink reflectors, wherever you are. For licensed radio amateurs. Multi-network: HamThings, BrandMeister and other IP servers, plus SvxLink reflectors. Features: Real-time push-to-talk over IP DMR: dual slot (TS1/TS2), group and private calls SvxLink: analog reflectors, always free Real-time Last Heard DMR text messaging Local or remote audio (transcoder) — your choice Background wake-up so you never miss a call Clean, fast interface The SvxLink (analog) protocol is always free. DMR features require a subscription; a free trial starts automatically the first time you open the app, so you can try everything. HamThings PTT is an independent project, made by hams for hams. A valid amateur radio license is required to transmit. Subscription details: HamThings PTT is an annual auto-renewing subscription. Payment will be charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. The subscription renews automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel it at any time in your Apple Account settings. Privacy policy: https://hamthings.it/privacy.html

Screenshots

HamAlert1 screens
HamThings PTT4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: HamAlert at 67% against HamThings PTT's 0%. HamAlert also leads on rating (4.0 vs 3.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). HamThings PTT's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 5 months). On price, ads, 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. HamThings PTT sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $8.99 per year. HamAlert asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

HamAlert holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: HamAlert has 34 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of HamAlert's written reviews are positive against 0% of HamThings PTT's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HamAlert ships an update every 5 months, HamThings PTT every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
HamAlert versus HamThings PTT: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHamAlertHamThings PTT
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (34 ratings) — better3.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings34 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperManuel KasperGiacomo De Angelis

Customer experience

HamAlert

All ratings34 ratings
Positive67.6%
Neutral8.8%
Negative23.5%
Written reviews21 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral9.5%
Negative23.8%

HamThings PTT

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

HamAlert

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

HamThings PTT

Subscriptions1
  • HamThings PTT (yearly)$8.991 Year

Questions

Is HamAlert free?
HamAlert is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is HamThings PTT free?
HamThings PTT is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, HamAlert or HamThings PTT?
HamAlert is rated higher. HamAlert averages 4.0 out of 5 from 34 ratings, while HamThings PTT averages 3.0 from 1 ratings.
Do HamAlert or HamThings PTT have ads?
Neither HamAlert nor HamThings PTT shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HamAlert or HamThings PTT?
HamAlert ships an update every 5 months, and HamThings PTT every 4 days. Most recently, HamAlert was updated on October 12, 2026 and HamThings PTT on October 6, 2026.

Other comparisons