HamAlert vs HamThings PTT
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
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.
| Parameter | HamAlert | HamThings PTT |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.0 (34 ratings) — better | 3.0 (1 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 34 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 11 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Manuel Kasper | Giacomo De Angelis |
Customer experience
HamAlert
HamThings PTT
In-app purchases
HamAlert
No in-app purchases
HamThings PTT
- HamThings PTT (yearly)$8.991 Year









