Comparison

Waver 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

Waver

Communicate with nearby devices using sound waves for text and file sharing. This app enables local messaging without an internet connection, utilizing your device's speaker and microphone.

Highlights
  • Text messaging via sound
  • File sharing over local network
  • Audible and ultrasound protocols
  • No internet connection required
  • Real-time audio spectrum analysis
  • Adjustable volume and transmission settings
Features
Read full description

Waver allows you to send and receive text messages from nearby devices through sound waves. This application can be useful for communicating with multiple nearby devices at once. Both audible and ultrasound communication protocols are available. The app does not connect to the internet and all information is transmitted only through sound. In order to receive incoming messages you only need to allow access to your device's microphone so that it can record nearby sounds. How to use: - Before starting - make sure the speaker of your device is enabled and disconnect/unplug any headphones. The app uses your device's speaker to emit sounds when sending a text message - To send a message - tap on "Messages", enter some text at the bottom of the screen and click "Send" - Any nearby device that is also running this application can capture the emitted sound and display the received message - In the settings menu, you can adjust the volume and the transmission protocol that will be used when sending messages. Make sure to adjust the volume level high enough, so the sounds can be picked up by other devices - Tap on "Spectrum" to see a real-time frequency spectrum of the currently captured audio by your device's microphone File sharing in a local network: As of v1.3.0 Waver supports file sharing. It works like this: - Add files that you would like to transmit by sharing them with Waver - In the "Files" menu, click on "Broadcast". This plays an audio message that contains a file broadcast offer - Nearby devices in the same local network can receive this offer and initiate a TCP/IP connection to your device - The files are transmitted over TCP/IP. The sound message is used only to initiate the network connections between the devices - Waver allows sharing multiple files to multiple devices at once

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

Waver4 screens
Packet Commander4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Waver at none against Packet Commander's 2. Waver also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 18.2). Packet Commander's advantage is ratings volume (48 vs 12). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads 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. Waver asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Waver against 4.9 for Packet Commander. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 12 and 48 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Waver ships an update every 3 days, Packet Commander every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Waver versus Packet Commander: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWaverPacket Commander
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (12 ratings)4.9 (48 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1248 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS9.0 — better18.2
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGeorgi GerganovIsland Magic Co.

Customer experience

Waver

All ratings11 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Packet Commander

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

In-app purchases

None

Waver

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Packet Commander

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

Questions

Is Waver free?
Waver 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, Waver or Packet Commander?
Packet Commander is rated higher. Waver averages 4.9 out of 5 from 12 ratings, while Packet Commander averages 4.9 from 48 ratings.
Do Waver or Packet Commander have ads?
Neither Waver nor Packet Commander shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Waver or Packet Commander?
Waver ships an update every 3 days, and Packet Commander every 2 months. Most recently, Waver was updated on October 24, 2026 and Packet Commander on October 24, 2026.

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