Comparison

ClearNode vs K4 Control for Elecraft K4

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

K4 Control for Elecraft K4

Control your Elecraft K4 transceiver remotely from your iPad. Operate locally or over the internet, with integrated digital modes, logging, and advanced visual features.

Highlights
  • Full remote transceiver control
  • Integrated digital modes (FT8, FT4, CW, SSTV)
  • Comprehensive logbook with ADIF support
  • Dual VFO and waterfall displays
  • DX-Cluster integration and alerts
  • Visual band mapping and callsign data
Features
Read full description

Your Elecraft K4, K4D or K4HD on your iPhone and iPad: at home over Wi-Fi or from anywhere over the internet. Made by a ham, for hams, with personal support included. K4-Control connects to the K4's built-in network interface, at home and over the internet. No extra hardware, no PC and no extra software needed. WORKS WITH ■ Elecraft K4, K4D and K4HD, connected to your network by cable The app connects over the network only. A USB cable connection is not supported. OPERATE ■ Spectrum scope and waterfall with band plan, DX Cluster and FT8 spots ■ VFO A and B with the sub receiver and both panadapters, filters, preamp, attenuator, NB, NR, notch, AGC and more ■ Compact floating panels: tuning, PTT, CW, memories, tune stack, macros, Command Bar, DTMF, RIT / ∆TX ■ Your iPhone or iPad as microphone and speaker; the radio keeps playing in the background ■ Ready for iPhone Duo, iPad split screen and Apple Vision Pro MODES ■ FT8-Improved with AutoAnswer and AutoCQ, plus the classic FT8 ■ JS8 keyboard chat ■ CW with decoder, keyer, ESM and CW keyboard: send CW remotely, by keyboard or with a paddle on a CTR2 or MIDI controller ■ Speech: incoming voice transcribed and translated, your typed text sent as speech ■ SSTV, HF-Fax, APRS and WSPR FT8-Improved, JS8, Speech and WSPR need iOS 26. TOOLS ■ Logbook with ADIF import and export, shared via iCloud with SmartSDR, SDR-Control, FT-Control and TS-Control, on iPhone, iPad and Mac ■ DX Cluster with alerts, POTA, PSK Reporter, Call Lookup, Band Plan, Network Stats, Memories ■ Controllers: MIDI, CTR2, HaliKey, Pryme, Flic ■ 4O3A Genius devices, Ultra Beam antennas, rotators and relay boards MADE BY A HAM Made by Marcus, DL8MRE, who has been developing apps for Apple devices since 2009 and uses this app every day in his own shack, where all supported radios are on the desk. Personal online support and a detailed manual are included. Updates with new modes and features are free: no subscription, no in-app purchases. WHAT YOU NEED ■ An Elecraft K4, K4D or K4HD on your network, with its remote access password set ■ An iPhone or iPad with iOS 18 or later ■ For use over the internet: access to your home network from outside (see the manual) Manual: https://go-to.me/k4-control-ios-manual More apps: https://ham-radio-apps.com K4-Control is developed independently and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Elecraft.

Screenshots

ClearNode4 screens
K4 Control for Elecraft K44 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: ClearNode at Free against K4 Control for Elecraft K4's $89.99. ClearNode also leads on ratings volume (33 vs 6). K4 Control for Elecraft K4's advantage is iOS requirement (17.6 vs 26.0). On rating, review sentiment, update cadence and ads 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; K4 Control for Elecraft K4 costs $89.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for ClearNode against 4.8 for K4 Control for Elecraft K4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ClearNode has 33 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ClearNode ships an update every 3 weeks, K4 Control for Elecraft K4 fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
ClearNode versus K4 Control for Elecraft K4: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterClearNodeK4 Control for Elecraft K4
PriceFree — better$89.99
Rating4.7 (33 ratings)4.8 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings33 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS26.017.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB59 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%

K4 Control for Elecraft K4

All ratings6 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

ClearNode

No in-app purchases

None

K4 Control for Elecraft K4

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ClearNode free?
ClearNode is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is K4 Control for Elecraft K4 free?
K4 Control for Elecraft K4 costs $89.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, ClearNode or K4 Control for Elecraft K4?
K4 Control for Elecraft K4 is rated higher. ClearNode averages 4.7 out of 5 from 33 ratings, while K4 Control for Elecraft K4 averages 4.8 from 6 ratings.
Do ClearNode or K4 Control for Elecraft K4 have ads?
Neither ClearNode nor K4 Control for Elecraft K4 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ClearNode or K4 Control for Elecraft K4?
ClearNode ships an update every 3 weeks, and K4 Control for Elecraft K4 fortnightly. Most recently, ClearNode was updated on October 29, 2026 and K4 Control for Elecraft K4 on October 30, 2026.

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