# HamStudy.org vs HamBeacon

The clearest difference is price: HamBeacon at Free against HamStudy.org's $3.99. HamBeacon also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 3 weeks). HamStudy.org's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 9) and chart position (#4 vs unranked). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

HamBeacon is free to download; HamStudy.org costs $3.99 up front. HamBeacon sells 9 one-off in-app purchases. HamStudy.org asks for nothing beyond the download.

HamStudy.org ships an update every 3 weeks, HamBeacon every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 12, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | HamStudy.org | HamBeacon |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $3.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.9 (2.7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hamstudyorg/id1371288324/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **2.7K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 93.7% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Best chart rank | **#4** | — |
| Size | 30 MB | 13 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.4** | 26.2 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Signal Stuff](https://appshunter.io/developer/1371288323) | [William Morris](https://appshunter.io/developer/1883474760) |

## What reviewers say

### HamStudy.org

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hamstudyorg/id1371288324)

**Currently charting:** #4 Top Paid · Education, #45 Top Paid (US App Store)

This app offers an intelligent study mode that tracks your progress and focuses on areas where you struggle. It allows you to tailor your study to specific chapters and topics from license manuals, with explanations for difficult questions. Practice exams are also available.

**Highlights:** Intelligent study algorithms, Vetted user-submitted explanations, Infinite practice exams, Study all US Amateur Radio question pools, International question pools, Multi-user support, Cross-device progress sync

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great study tool
- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Efficient way to prepare for exams
- 🚀 Comprehensive coverage of exam material
- 👍 Helpful explanations and hints

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional app freezes
- 👎 Some explanations could be clearer
- 🔋 Battery drain when using app extensively

**Reported bugs**

- Email support not working
- Occasional freezing or crashing

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Ability to clear test history
- More detailed performance analytics
- Spell out acronyms and define technical terms


### HamBeacon

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hambeacon-ham-radio-exam-prep/id6763155720)

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Upgrade: Technician to General | $3.99 | one-time |
| Technician License Module | $4.99 | one-time |
| General License Module | $4.99 | one-time |
| Upgrade: General to Amateur Extra | $6.99 | one-time |
| Upgrade: Add Amateur Extra | $6.99 | one-time |
| Amateur Extra License Module | $7.99 | one-time |
| Upgrade: Tech to All-Access Bundle | $9.99 | one-time |
| Upgrade: All-Access Bundle | $9.99 | one-time |
| All-Access Bundle | $14.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is HamStudy.org free?

HamStudy.org costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is HamBeacon free?

HamBeacon is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do HamStudy.org or HamBeacon have ads?

Neither HamStudy.org nor HamBeacon shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, HamStudy.org or HamBeacon?

HamStudy.org ships an update every 3 weeks, and HamBeacon every 2 weeks. Most recently, HamStudy.org was updated on November 12, 2026 and HamBeacon on October 25, 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.*