# ClearNode vs SDR

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.

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

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | ClearNode | SDR |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $49.99 |
| Rating | **[4.8 (32 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/clearnode/id1450732334/reviews)** | [4.2 (67 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sdr-control-for-icom/id1614141094/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 32 | **67** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 80.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free** | Paid |
| Size | 7 MB | 47 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | **17.6** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Gerry Filby](https://appshunter.io/developer/962195315) | [Marcus Roskosch](https://appshunter.io/developer/334053438) |

## What reviewers say

### ClearNode

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/clearnode/id1450732334)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### SDR

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sdr-control-for-icom/id1614141094)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


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