Comparison

goTenna Pro 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

goTenna Pro

This app enables mission-critical, off-grid communications by pairing with specialized radio devices. It allows users to send text messages, share locations, and mark maps without relying on cellular or Wi-Fi networks. It also supports interoperability with other tactical systems.

Highlights
  • Off-grid text messaging
  • Real-time location sharing
  • Customizable map markings
  • Route and geofencing tools
  • Interoperability with ATAK
  • Offline map import
Features
Read full description

The goTenna Pro app is a tactical situational awareness application that pairs with goTenna Pro and goTenna Pro X2 mesh networking radio devices to enable mission-critical communications completely independent of traditional cell, Wi-Fi, or satellite connectivity. Users can download the goTenna Pro app to any iOS device, pair with a goTenna Pro or goTenna Pro X2 tactical radio, and then use the mobile device to communicate critical information like near real-time locations, share map markings, and send text messages while 100% off-grid. The app supports full interoperability with ATAK and the goTenna Android goTenna Pro app for seamless cross-platform mission coordination. goTenna Pro tactical radios have a 5W, tunable UHF/VHF output that can transmit critical data from your iOS device and also automatically act as relays that securely and anonymously “hop” messages across up to 6 devices to extend range. Key Features - Send & receive text-based messages - Automatic blue force tracking - Customizable map markers for emergencies, dangers, and objectives - Routes, perimeters, geofencing, and shape drawing tools - Individual & group messaging - Broadcasts to anyone within range on your network - Interoperability with iOS/Android goTenna Pro apps, ATAK plugin v2.2.50, and iTAK v2.10.1 - Ability to import offline maps (.sqlite files) to display custom maps on the field - Send/receive standard 2525B tactical markers

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

goTenna Pro1 screens
Packet Commander4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Packet Commander at 100% against goTenna Pro's 0%. Packet Commander also leads on rating (4.9 vs 3.0). goTenna Pro's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (monthly 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. goTenna Pro asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Packet Commander holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 24 and 44 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of goTenna Pro's written reviews are positive against 100% of Packet Commander's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

goTenna Pro ships an update monthly, Packet Commander every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
goTenna Pro versus Packet Commander: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametergoTenna ProPacket Commander
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (24 ratings)4.9 (44 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2444 — better
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15 — better18.2
Further details — not scored
Size72 MB10 MB
Age rating17+4+
DevelopergoTenna Inc.Island Magic Co.

Customer experience

goTenna Pro

All ratings24 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral4.2%
Negative45.8%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Packet Commander

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

In-app purchases

None

goTenna Pro

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Packet Commander

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

Questions

Is goTenna Pro free?
goTenna Pro 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, goTenna Pro or Packet Commander?
Packet Commander is rated higher. goTenna Pro averages 3.0 out of 5 from 24 ratings, while Packet Commander averages 4.9 from 44 ratings.
Do goTenna Pro or Packet Commander have ads?
Neither goTenna Pro nor Packet Commander shows ads.
Which is updated more often, goTenna Pro or Packet Commander?
goTenna Pro ships an update monthly, and Packet Commander every 2 months. Most recently, goTenna Pro was updated on October 5, 2026 and Packet Commander on September 21, 2026.

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