Beartooth for iPhone vs Packet Commander
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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.
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
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.
| Parameter | Beartooth for iPhone | Packet Commander |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.8 (9 ratings) | 4.9 (44 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 30.2% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 9 | 44 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 18.2 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 64 MB | 10 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Beartooth Radio INC | Island Magic Co. |
Customer experience
Beartooth for iPhone
Packet Commander
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
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- 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
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- Allow users to select other color options for the app
Packet Commander
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Beartooth for iPhone
No in-app purchases
Packet Commander
- Yearly Subscription$8.991 Year
- One-Time Purchase$24.99









