Comparison

Gopher Client 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

Gopher Client

Access the Gopherspace with this modern browser for iOS. Browse text files, images, and directories, and utilize search systems to find information. It offers a clean interface with adjustable text size and bookmarking capabilities.

Highlights
  • Clean browser interface
  • Access Gopher servers
  • Supports text files and images
  • Opens WWW links in Safari
  • Gopherspace search systems
  • Bookmarks
  • Adjustable text size
Features
Read full description

"gopher n. 1. Any of various short tailed, burrowing mammals of the family Geomyidae, of North America. 2. (Amer. colloq.) Native or inhabitant of Minnesota: the Gopher State. 3. (Amer. colloq.) One who runs errands, does odd-jobs, fetches or delivers documents for office staff. 4. (computer tech.) software following a simple protocol for burrowing through a TCP/IP internet." - From RFC 1436 describing Gopher Way back in the early 1990's, Gopher was a major part of the internet. Over the years it has waned, but there are still quite a few Gopher servers running. This is is a modern Gopher browser for iOS. Built from the ground up, it lets you access the wealth of data available via Gopher from your favorite devices. What this offers: - Clean, browser style user interface - Access to Gopher servers - Supports text files, images, directories - Opens WWW links in Safari - Supports Veronica-2, Contrition, and other search systems for searching the Gopherspace - Bookmarks - Adjustable text size & optional "reflow" of text documents for improved readability Limitations: - This does not support binary files other than images - This does not support the non-standard Gopher+ extensions, or CSO selectors

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

Gopher Client4 screens
Packet Commander4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Packet Commander at 4.9 against Gopher Client's 4.4. Packet Commander also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 79%). Gopher Client's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). On price, ratings volume, 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. Gopher Client asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Packet Commander holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 27 and 44 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 79% of Gopher Client's written reviews are positive against 100% of Packet Commander's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Gopher Client ships an update fortnightly, Packet Commander every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Gopher Client versus Packet Commander: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGopher ClientPacket Commander
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (27 ratings)4.9 (44 ratings) — better
Positive reviews78.9% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2744 — better
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS9.0 — better18.2
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB10 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperCharles ChildersIsland Magic Co.

Customer experience

Gopher Client

All ratings27 ratings
Positive81.5%
Neutral11.1%
Negative7.4%
Written reviews19 reviews
Positive78.9%
Neutral15.8%
Negative5.3%

Packet Commander

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

In-app purchases

None

Gopher Client

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Packet Commander

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

Questions

Is Gopher Client free?
Gopher Client 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, Gopher Client or Packet Commander?
Packet Commander is rated higher. Gopher Client averages 4.4 out of 5 from 27 ratings, while Packet Commander averages 4.9 from 44 ratings.
Do Gopher Client or Packet Commander have ads?
Neither Gopher Client nor Packet Commander shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Gopher Client or Packet Commander?
Gopher Client ships an update fortnightly, and Packet Commander every 2 months. Most recently, Gopher Client was updated on September 30, 2026 and Packet Commander on September 21, 2026.

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