Comparison

Beartooth for iPhone vs Packet Commander

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

Head to head
About

Beartooth for iPhone

This application connects to a specialized handheld device, enabling communication without cellular service. It offers push-to-talk voice calls and text messaging for groups or individuals, extending connectivity for outdoor adventures.

Highlights
  • Push-to-talk voice communication
  • One-on-one and group text messaging
  • Topographic maps for explorers
  • Connects to Beartooth handheld device
  • Works without cell service
Features
Read full description

Official iPhone application for Beartooth devices. Beartooth is a handheld device that works with your smartphone to keep you connected when there is no cell service. Voice - Push-to-talk means quick communication between you and your crew up to 5 miles away. Text - One-on-one or group texts to any Beartooth users up to 10 miles away. Maps - The topographic Beartooth maps are made for the explorer.

About

Packet Commander

This app provides a classic terminal experience for packet radio communication on mobile devices. It offers powerful terminal features, smart connection management, and real-time over-the-air traffic monitoring. It's designed for amateur radio operators to connect with nodes, BBS, and decode traffic.

Highlights
  • Full-screen terminal for packet nodes and BBS
  • Classic color themes and adjustable layout
  • YAPP protocol support for file transfers
  • Location-aware digipeater routing
  • Seamless iCloud sync
  • Over-the-air traffic decoding
  • Auto-discovery of TNCs
Read full description

Packet Commander brings a classic terminal experience for packet radio to your iPhone or iPad. Try it free. The download includes 5 full connection sessions so you can explore the features and confirm compatibility before purchasing. After that, a purchase is required to continue connecting. Note: An amateur radio license is required to operate on the air. Powerful Terminal • Full-screen terminal for interacting with packet nodes and BBS over amateur radio • Classic color themes inspired by iconic computers • Adjustable fonts and layout for readability and screen efficiency • YAPP protocol support for file transfers • Dictation-ready for composing messages hands-free • Smart filename selection — double tap to highlight and copy Smarter Packet Connections • Location-aware digipeater routing: automatically recalls the last-used path at each location • Seamless iCloud sync for nodes and digipeaters across all your devices • Compatible with popular packet node software including BPQ32, URONode, and others Over-the-Air Monitor Connect to your radio and decode over-the-air traffic in real time. AX.25 frames are decoded and presented in an easy-to-read format. • Filter traffic to display exactly what you’re looking for • Search by address or content • Export the log to a file for later analysis Works with the Gear You Love • Auto-discovery of Bluetooth and TCP TNCs, including Dire Wolf on DigiPi • Automatic frequency set/restore on supported radios • Built-in, high-performance 1200 baud AFSK software modem • Optimized for VHF/UHF packet at both 1200 and 9600 baud Compatible with the Following Radios and TNCs: Radios with Built-in TNCs (Auto-sets and restores frequency on those radios) · BTECH UV-PRO, UV-50PRO · VERO VR-N76, VR-N7600 · RADIODITY GA-5WB, DB50-B · Kenwood TH-D74*, TH-D75* · PicoAPRS V4 *Requires B.B. Link Bluetooth adapter Portable KISS TNCs · Mobilinkd TNC3, TNC4 · LiNK500 TNC · DigiPi · Dire Wolf Software TNC Audio Interfaces (Using built-in software modem) · Digirig Lite · Digirig VOX PTT Cable · AIOC (All-In-One Cable) Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Beartooth for iPhone4 screens
Packet Commander4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Packet Commander at 100% against Beartooth for iPhone's 30%. Packet Commander also leads on rating (4.9 vs 2.8) and ratings volume (44 vs 9). Beartooth for iPhone's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, ads 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

Both are free to download. Packet Commander sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per year. Beartooth for iPhone asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Packet Commander holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 2.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9 and 44 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 30% of Beartooth for iPhone's written reviews are positive against 100% of Packet Commander's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Beartooth for iPhone ships an update every 3 weeks, Packet Commander every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Beartooth for iPhone versus Packet Commander: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBeartooth for iPhonePacket Commander
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.8 (9 ratings)4.9 (44 ratings) — better
Positive reviews30.2% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings944 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better18.2
Further details — not scored
Size64 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBeartooth Radio INCIsland Magic Co.

Customer experience

Beartooth for iPhone

All ratings9 ratings
Positive44.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative55.6%
Written reviews63 reviews
Positive30.2%
Neutral4.8%
Negative65.1%

Packet Commander

All ratings44 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Beartooth for iPhone

Reported bugs

28 issues
  • App crashes when scanning for other users
  • App crashes when scanning for contacts
  • Device does not stay connected via Bluetooth
  • Device disconnects after half an hour
  • Firmware update didn't work with iPhone
Show 23 more
  • One device will update, one will not
  • App no longer compatible with Wi-Fi only iPads
  • App crashes when you scan for other users
  • App no longer shows battery of Beartooth
  • App causes Apple Watch to continuously reboot
  • App will not stay connected to Beartooth
  • App impacts Airpods connectivity
  • App gives error messages when attempting to check firmware, battery life, signal and output power
  • One device constantly disconnects its Bluetooth connection
  • Battery life abysmal
  • Cannot connect
  • Cannot maintain connection
  • Out of the box, not able to connect to iPhone
  • App isn't functional on 11.0.1
  • One radio stays paired and the other drops Bluetooth connectivity
  • Drafting a message is buggy and not usable
  • App crashes when you scan for contacts
  • Manually adding contacts doesn't appear to work
  • App crashes every single time that I try to scan for other devices
  • Device information for my device won't load
  • Firmware update says Error
  • Signal and battery level never update
  • When I turn off the Beartooth, I need to restart the whole Bluetooth connection process

Requested features

6 requests
  • iPad compatibility
  • Adjust power settings to be more user friendly
  • Update dull colors on the app, offer color selection options
  • Improve UI and interface simplicity and function
  • Add dark mode option
Show 1 more
  • Allow users to select other color options for the app

Packet Commander

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Beartooth for iPhone

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Packet Commander

Subscriptions1
  • Yearly Subscription$8.991 Year
One-time1
  • One-Time Purchase$24.99

Questions

Is Beartooth for iPhone free?
Beartooth for iPhone is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Packet Commander free?
Packet Commander is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Beartooth for iPhone or Packet Commander?
Packet Commander is rated higher. Beartooth for iPhone averages 2.8 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while Packet Commander averages 4.9 from 44 ratings.
Do Beartooth for iPhone or Packet Commander have ads?
Neither Beartooth for iPhone nor Packet Commander shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Beartooth for iPhone or Packet Commander?
Beartooth for iPhone ships an update every 3 weeks, and Packet Commander every 2 months. Most recently, Beartooth for iPhone was updated on October 1, 2026 and Packet Commander on September 21, 2026.

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