Comparison

RST 599x vs CW Runner QT

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

RST 599x

This app simulates real-time CW QSO interactions for amateur radio enthusiasts. It offers various QSO styles, realistic signal conditions, and customizable station settings for an authentic experience. Features include pile-up reproduction and RIT/filter functions.

Highlights
  • CW QSO simulation
  • Pile-up reproduction
  • Multiple QSO styles
  • RIT and CW filter
  • Realistic signal meter
  • Spectrum scope display
Features
Read full description

This app is a real CW QSO simulator for Amateur Radio. "599BK type QSO", "Rubber stamp type QSO" and "Contest type QSO" are supported. In addition, the call sign, signal level, CW speed, etc. that occur differ for each QSO in order to achieve realism. Furthermore, the call sign and CW speed of your own station that issues CQ can be set arbitrarily. 【Characteristic】 1. Reproduction of pile-up (Called from up to 3 stations at the same time) 2. "599BK","Rubber Stamp" and "AADX Contest" style support. 3.RIT and CW filter functions  Band Width(300Hz/600Hz) control supported. 4.Realistic signal meter according to audio signal level. 5.Status display showing TX / RX operation. 6.The spectrum scope display 【Other features】 1. Function to select the number of QSOs to communicate (5, 20) 2. QRN ON / OFF selection function 3. Function to select the call area (JA's, W / W) 4. Judgement of "RST, QRA and QTH" or "RST, QRA and WX" information. 5.Supported the ESC button for escaping from the long TX/RX. 6.Supported the Score Clear button of your Hi-Score Data. 7.Support the capture function of Hi-Score dialog. 8.Supported the QSB in the mode of "599BK / AADX" and "W/W" Supported keyboard input from Apple Silicon Mac. (Not compatible with iOS) [Support Key] A-Z, 0-9, / Enter:return ESC:esc BS:delete CQ:UpArrow AGN:DownArrow TU:[ LEFT:LeftArrow RIGHT:RightArrow

About

CW Runner QT

This app simulates realistic Morse code contests for amateur radio operators. It enhances copying accuracy, contest rhythm, and on-air confidence with practical, contest-style practice and real callsigns.

Highlights
  • 4 contest training modes
  • Multi-language support
  • Optional guidance
  • Auto CQ support
  • 8,000+ real contest callsigns
  • Adjustable CW settings
  • Realistic signal effects
Features
Read full description

CW Runner QT is a CW contest training app for amateur radio operators. It is designed to improve callsign copying, exchange handling, contest serial number copying, response speed, operating rhythm, and overall accuracy under varied receiving conditions. FEATURES • Four CW contest training modes Pile-Up, Single Calls, WPX, and HST cover different operating scenarios, from handling multiple callers to high-speed telegraphy practice. • 8,000+ callsigns from real contest logs The app includes more than 8,000 amateur radio callsigns sourced from real CW contest logs, providing a broad range of prefixes, suffixes, and callsign structures for practical copying practice. • Twelve interface languages Supports English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Korean, Russian, Thai, and Portuguese. Localization is prepared with particular attention to established amateur radio and CW terminology. • Guidance Mode Optional contextual guidance explains training modes, radio settings, operating controls, signal effects, message functions, and relevant key actions without unnecessarily interrupting practice. • Auto CQ Automatically sends CQ at an adjustable interval to simulate repeated contest calling and help develop a stable operating rhythm. • Adjustable CW and receiver parameters Configure CW speed, pitch, RX bandwidth, RIT, QSK, station activity, and other supported settings to match different training objectives and receiving conditions. • Signal and interference effects Simulate QRN, QRM, QSB, Flutter, and LIDS to practice accurate copying under noise, interference, fading, and unstable signal conditions. • Nr Chaos Available in Pile-Up and Single Calls. When enabled, contest serial numbers become less predictable. In addition to the usual three-digit serial numbers, occasional two- and four-digit numbers may appear, reducing fixed-format anticipation and increasing the difficulty of number copying. • Minimum Caller Speed In Pile-Up and Single Calls, newly generated callers use a random speed between a configurable minimum and the CW speed; matching values produce a fixed speed, existing callers are unaffected, WPX and HST are unchanged, and on iPad the setting appears only in Detailed Settings, not on the home screen. • Contest messages and operating controls Dedicated controls are provided for common contest messages. Supported functions can also be operated with an external iPad keyboard for a workflow closer to physical-keyboard contest operation. • QSO records and review Record completed QSOs and review practice history, copied information, errors, and accuracy to identify areas for further improvement. • Statistics and QSO Rate Review cumulative statistics, personal best results, and a visual QSO Rate chart to evaluate operating efficiency, consistency, and session rhythm. • iCloud sync Supported practice records and related data can be synchronized through iCloud across supported devices using the same Apple Account. • Leaderboards, Game Center, and achievements Eligible scores can be displayed in the in-app leaderboards and synchronized with Game Center where supported. Achievements provide additional milestones for continued training. WHY CW RUNNER QT CW Runner QT is more than a basic Morse character practice tool. It is designed around the workflow of real CW contest operation, where operators must handle callsigns, exchanges, serial numbers, interference, timing, and continuous QSOs at the same time. Whether you are preparing for your first CW contest or refining existing operating skills, CW Runner QT provides a focused, systematic environment for long-term contest practice. OPEN-SOURCE LICENSING This app includes components based on code distributed under the Mozilla Public License 2.0 (MPL-2.0). Source code for the MPL-covered files used in this app is available at: https://github.com/WGGao/CWRunner-MPL

Screenshots

RST 599x4 screens
CW Runner QT4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: CW Runner QT at every 3 days against RST 599x's every 2 months. RST 599x's advantage is price ($1.99 vs $2.99) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17). On rating, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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

RST 599x costs $1.99 and CW Runner QT $2.99 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 — 5.0 for RST 599x against 5.0 for CW Runner QT. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RST 599x ships an update every 2 months, CW Runner QT every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
RST 599x versus CW Runner QT: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRST 599xCW Runner QT
Price$1.99 — better$2.99
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings11
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better17
Further details — not scored
Size71 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerkoji kamogawa伟光 高

Customer experience

RST 599x

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

CW Runner QT

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

RST 599x

No in-app purchases

None

CW Runner QT

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is RST 599x free?
RST 599x costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is CW Runner QT free?
CW Runner QT costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, RST 599x or CW Runner QT?
RST 599x and CW Runner QT are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do RST 599x or CW Runner QT have ads?
Neither RST 599x nor CW Runner QT shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RST 599x or CW Runner QT?
RST 599x ships an update every 2 months, and CW Runner QT every 3 days. Most recently, RST 599x was updated on November 3, 2026 and CW Runner QT on November 9, 2026.

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