HFpager vs Meshtastic
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
HFpager
This utility app enables the exchange of short text messages through audio and radio channels using IFSK modulation. It offers basic reception and transmission functions for free, with a subscription unlocking all features and removing ads.
- IFSK modulation for audio messaging
- Send and receive short text messages
- Utilizes audio and radio channels
- Basic functions free
- Subscription removes restrictions and ads
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The program is designed to generate and receive an audio signal using IFSK (Incremental Frequency Shift Keying) modulation. Used to exchange short text messages via any audio and / or radio channel. For a detailed description, see the project website https://nvis.club/hfproxys/hfpager/hf-pager Basic functions work without a subscription: reception / transmission. With a subscription, all restrictions are removed and there is no advertising. Privacy Policy and User Agreement: https://ildd.ru/bi/hfpager/hfpager_politica/
Meshtastic
This app enables off-grid, decentralized communication via a low-power mesh network. Send text messages in areas lacking cellular or WiFi service.
- Off-grid communication
- Decentralized mesh network
- Low-power LoRa radio support
- Text messaging
- No cellular/WiFi required
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Meshtastic® is an open source, off-grid, decentralized, mesh network built to run on low-power Lora radios letting you send text messages in areas without reliable cellular or WiFi service.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Meshtastic at 4.1 against HFpager's 3.0. Meshtastic also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). HFpager's advantage is review sentiment (71% vs 44%) and iOS requirement (12.4 vs 17.5). On price 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. HFpager sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $9.99 per year. Meshtastic asks for nothing beyond the download.
Meshtastic holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Meshtastic has 824 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 71% of HFpager's written reviews are positive against 44% of Meshtastic's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
HFpager ships an update every 3 months, Meshtastic every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | HFpager | Meshtastic |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.0 (1 ratings) | 4.1 (824 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 71.4% of reviews — better | 44.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 824 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 10 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — better |
| Requires iOS | 12.4 — better | 17.5 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 26 MB | 95 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Dmitry Likhtarov | Meshtastic LLC |
Customer experience
HFpager
Meshtastic
Bugs and requests
HFpager
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Meshtastic
Reported bugs
4 issues- Canned messages configuration issues
- Location sharing and traceroute functions not working
- Settings screen bugs and crashes
- Inconsistent behavior when switching between devices
Requested features
5 requests- Offline maps support
- Ability to customize notifications
- More sorting and filtering options for nodes
- Apple Watch and Shortcuts integration
- Improved documentation and user guidance
In-app purchases
HFpager
- Подписка 12 месяцев7 Days trial$9.991 Year
Meshtastic
No in-app purchases
