Comparison

ST 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

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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.

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

ST4 screens
Packet Commander4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
ST versus Packet Commander: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSTPacket Commander
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better4.9 (44 ratings)
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings244 — better
Update frequencyEvery 27 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better18.2
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperICOM INCORPORATEDIsland Magic Co.

Customer experience

ST

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Packet Commander

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

In-app purchases

None

ST

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Packet Commander

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

Questions

Is ST free?
ST 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, ST or Packet Commander?
ST is rated higher. ST averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Packet Commander averages 4.9 from 44 ratings.
Do ST or Packet Commander have ads?
Neither ST nor Packet Commander shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ST or Packet Commander?
ST ships an update every 27 months, and Packet Commander every 2 months. Most recently, ST was updated on October 9, 2026 and Packet Commander on October 8, 2026.

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