# Beartooth for iPhone vs Packet Commander

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Beartooth for iPhone | Packet Commander |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.8 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/beartooth-for-iphone/id1208361416/reviews) | **[4.9 (44 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/packet-commander/id6743951365/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 9 | **44** |
| Positive reviews | 30.2% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 64 MB | 10 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 18.2 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Beartooth Radio INC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1114207504) | [Island Magic Co.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1529387252) |

## What reviewers say

### Beartooth for iPhone

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/beartooth-for-iphone/id1208361416)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🗺️ Great map feature
- 🗣️ Excellent voice quality
- 💡 Innovative concept
- 🚀 Setup is simple

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Does not work
- 💸 Overpriced
- 🔋 Poor battery life
- 🔌 Connection issues
- 📉 Limited range

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- 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


### Packet Commander

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/packet-commander/id6743951365)

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Yearly Subscription | $8.99 | per year |
| One-Time Purchase | $24.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*