Comparison

ClearNode vs SDR

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

Head to head
About

ClearNode

This app provides remote control and management for ClearNode devices, enabling users to configure settings, connect to nodes, and control integrated radio functions. It also allows for audio stream playback and monitoring of multiple devices.

Highlights
  • Configure AllStar, Echolink, and DMR credentials
  • Control radio parameters (frequency, CTCSS, volume)
  • Connect/disconnect from remote nodes
  • Catalog and search active node lists
  • Monitor and control multiple devices
  • Play delayed audio streams
  • Power down or reboot device
Features
Read full description

The ClearNode App allows you to: - Set up your ClearNode with your AllStar, Echolink and DMR credentials and settings - Configure important parameters for Asterisk and USB Audio - Connect and disconnect your ClearNode device from remote nodes and servers - Keep a catalog of the nodes you have connected to - Search the AllStar, Echolink and DMR active node lists - Control the integrated radio: Tx/Rx frequency, CTCSS codes, Squelch, Volume, Emphasis, High Pass and Low Pass, bandwidth - Power down or reboot your ClearNode Device - Play a delayed stream (~20 sec) of the audio traffic on your ClearNode (Tx and Rx), also play the stream to your public Broadcastify account - The ClearNode App detects and displays your ClearNode's current IP Addresses - If you have multiple ClearNode devices you can monitor and control them all from a single ClearNode Mobile App This application is a support/remote control utility for ClearNode devices built by Gerry Filby/W6WNG.

About

SDR

Control compatible Icom transceivers remotely or locally from your iPad. Offers full operation, dual VFO, a logbook, and integrated digital modes like FT8/FT4, SSTV, and CW decoding.

Highlights
  • Remote transceiver operation
  • Dual VFO and DualWatch
  • Integrated logbook with ADIF support
  • FT8/FT4, SSTV, and CW decoder tools
  • DX-Cluster integration
  • Call sign lookup and map display
Read full description

Software Defined Radio Client for Icom Transceivers and your iPad SDR-Control is a full featured iPad App to operate your Icom Transceiver at home or from around the world without additional Hard- or Software. Important: This App requires one of the following Icom Transceivers: IC-705, IC-7610, IC-9700, IC-7760 or the IC-R8600 Receiver or the new IC-7300 MK2 FACTS AND FEATURES: ■ Native iOS 26 app, backward compatible to iOS 17 ■ Compatible to any new Silicon M or older CPUs ■ Complete operation of your Icom Transceiver in all modes ■ Use the App local or to remote access of your Transceiver from any place without additional Hard- or Software ■ Dual VFO support (single Waterfall) ■ DualWatch support (Audio from both VFOs at the same time) ■ Logbook with auto logging, ADIF Im-/Export ■ UDP Log submission when using external logging software ■ Integrated full featured FT8 / FT4 Tool ■ Integrated SSTV receiver (NEW) ■ Integrated CW Decoder (NEW) ■ Integrated APRS Tool (NEW) ■ Integrated CW Keyer ■ DX-Cluster integration ■ Spots (from FT8, DX-Cluster) will be displayed in Waterfall ■ Band limits and Band-Modes will be displayed in Waterfall ■ Call sign lookup integrated ■ Displays Calls on Map with heading and distance information ■ MIDI Controller support ■ Keyboard shortcuts ■ And much more... WHAT YOU NEED: - An Icom IC-705, IC-7610, IC-9700, IC-7760 or IC-7300 MK2 Transceiver or IC-R8600 Receiver - The Transceiver needs to be connected to your Network (WiFi or LAN) - No USB cable needed or supported - An iPad that runs at least iOS 17 Find out more here: https://ham-radio-apps.com Read the Manual: http://go-to.me/sdrcontrol-ios-manual

Screenshots

ClearNode4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: ClearNode at Free against SDR's $49.99. ClearNode also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.2) and review sentiment (100% vs 80%). SDR's advantage is iOS requirement (17.6 vs 26.0). On ratings volume, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

ClearNode is free to download; SDR costs $49.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ClearNode holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 32 and 67 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of ClearNode's written reviews are positive against 80% of SDR's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on August 29, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
ClearNode versus SDR: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterClearNodeSDR
PriceFree — better$49.99
Rating4.8 (32 ratings) — better4.2 (67 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better80.0% of reviews
Number of ratings3267 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPad
Requires iOS26.017.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB47 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGerry FilbyMarcus Roskosch

Customer experience

ClearNode

All ratings32 ratings
Positive96.9%
Neutral3.1%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

SDR

All ratings67 ratings
Positive79.1%
Neutral3.0%
Negative17.9%
Written reviews70 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral4.3%
Negative15.7%

In-app purchases

None

ClearNode

No in-app purchases

None

SDR

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ClearNode free?
ClearNode is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SDR free?
SDR costs $49.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, ClearNode or SDR?
ClearNode is rated higher. ClearNode averages 4.8 out of 5 from 32 ratings, while SDR averages 4.2 from 67 ratings.
Do ClearNode or SDR have ads?
Neither ClearNode nor SDR shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ClearNode or SDR?
ClearNode ships an update every 2 weeks, and SDR every 2 weeks. Most recently, ClearNode was updated on August 29, 2026 and SDR on September 23, 2026.

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