ST vs Packet Commander
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ST
This app converts photos and images into a format compatible with D-STAR transceivers for the Share Picture function. Users can crop images, add text like call signs, and transfer them wirelessly or via Bluetooth to supported transceivers.
- Image conversion for D-STAR Share Picture
- Image cropping
- Add text (call signs)
- Wireless transfer to transceiver
- Bluetooth transfer to transceiver
- Save cropped image as file
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The ST-4001I is an application to crop an image used for the Share Picture function of a D-STAR transceiver, and transfers it to the transceiver. ・Photos taken, or photos/images saved on the iPhone and iPad can be converted into the format used for the Share Picture function of the D-STAR transceiver. ・You can crop the image and enter text such as a call sign. ・The cropped image can be transferred through a network to the D-STAR transceiver. ・The cropped image can be transferred through a network or using Bluetooth to the D-STAR transceiver. ・You can also save the cropped image as a file. Refer to the INSTRUCTIONS for details. Device requirements: iOS12 or later Supported transceiver (As of July 2024) Transceivers that can transfer via Bluetooth Icom ID-52A/E Icom ID-52A/E PLUS Transceivers that can transfer via network Icom IC-705 Icom IC-905 Icom IC-9700* *Firmware version 1.20 or higher NOTE • Icom does not guarantee that the ST-4001I works on all iPhone and iPad. It may not work properly, depending on the OS version, installed applications, or other reasons. • The transceiver and iPhone and iPad must be connected to the same network to transfer an image to a transceiver through a network. • Bluetooth LE is used to connect to a transceiver using Bluetooth. Transferring an image may take some time due to a slow data transfer rate.
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
ST and Packet Commander both sit at 5.0 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of Packet Commander's written reviews are positive against 50% of ST's. Packet Commander also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 27 months) and ratings volume (44 vs 2). ST's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 18.2). On price, rating, 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
Both are free to download. Packet Commander sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per year. ST asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for ST against 4.9 for Packet Commander. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Packet Commander has 44 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 50% of ST's written reviews are positive against 100% of Packet Commander's.
ST ships an update every 27 months, Packet Commander every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | ST | Packet Commander |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better | 4.9 (44 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 44 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 27 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 18.2 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 12 MB | 10 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ICOM INCORPORATED | Island Magic Co. |
Customer experience
ST
Packet Commander
In-app purchases
ST
No in-app purchases
Packet Commander
- Yearly Subscription$8.991 Year
- One-Time Purchase$24.99







