Groups.io App vs HamSphere 5.0
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Groups.io App
This app provides a modern platform for online communities with powerful management tools. It offers advanced features like hashtag organization, topic muting, and integrations with other services. Users can find, join, and manage groups, receiving real-time notifications.
- Advanced group management
- Hashtag archive organization
- Mute individual topics
- Real-time push notifications
- Integrated Chat, Calendar, Polls
- Integrations with RSS, Trello, Github
- Member synchronization with Slack
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Groups.io is the next generation platform for online communities. We are a modern platform for serious communities. Powerful management tools. Mobile ready. No ads, no tracking. We have the most advanced features of any group system, including: - Better archive organization with hashtags - Mute individual topics and hashtags - Advanced group management - Powerful additional features, including Chat, Calendar, Polls, Databases, Wiki, Files and Photos - Additional integrations with RSS, Trello, and Github - Member synchronization with Slack This app lets you: - Find and subscribe to existing groups - Receive real time push notifications about activity in your groups - Create and manage your groups
HamSphere 5.0
This virtual ham radio transceiver simulates HF bands from 10-160m, including 6m, 2m, and 70cm. It features USB, LSB, and CW modes, power settings, and built-in audio filters. Additional instruments can be unlocked via in-app purchases.
- Virtual HF bands (10-160m)
- 6m, 2m, and 70cm bands
- USB, LSB, and CW modes
- Built-in audio filters
- Power setting
- In-app purchase instrument expansions
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This handheld Amateur Radio transceiver offers 10-160m virtual HamSphere HF bands including 6m, 2m and 70cm. It comes with a fully working 30 day trial. The transceiver has three built in audio filters, USB, LSB and CW Modes, power setting. The transceiver can be expanded with a number of useful instruments as in-app-purchases.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: HamSphere 5.0 at 3.9 against Groups.io App's 3.0. HamSphere 5.0 also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 9 months). Groups.io App's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 30) and ratings volume (24 vs 7). On price, review sentiment, 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. HamSphere 5.0 sells 30 one-off in-app purchases. Groups.io App asks for nothing beyond the download.
HamSphere 5.0 holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 24 and 7 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 36% of Groups.io App's written reviews are positive against 38% of HamSphere 5.0's.
Groups.io App ships an update every 9 months, HamSphere 5.0 monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 4, 2026 and August 15, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Groups.io App | HamSphere 5.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.0 (24 ratings) | 3.9 (7 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 36.0% of reviews | 37.5% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 24 — better | 7 |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 32 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Groups.io, Inc | HamSphere AB |
Customer experience
Groups.io App
HamSphere 5.0
In-app purchases
Groups.io App
No in-app purchases
HamSphere 5.0
- 3el T-yagi E (30m)$4.99
- 3el T-yagi E (40m)$4.99
- 3el T-yagi W (20m)$4.99
Show 27 moreShow fewer
- 3el T-yagi E (20m)$4.99
- G5RV North-South (10-160m)$4.99
- J-Pole (12m)$6.99
- J-Pole (17m)$6.99
- Plugizer MBP009$6.99
- Lookup Box MBP011$6.99
- J-Pole (11m)$6.99
- J-Pole (20m)$6.99
- Log Book MBP003$6.99
- DX-Monitor MBP008$6.99
- Waterfall MBP002$6.99
- Antenna Selector MBP004$6.99
- Antenna Rotator MBP005$6.99
- Oscilloscope MBP006$6.99
- DX-Cluster MBP010$6.99
- 8-Band Omni Whip (10-40m)$6.99
- J-Pole (10m)$6.99
- G5RV East-West (10-160m)$6.99
- Moxon (20m)$14.99
- Moxon (12m)$14.99
- Moxon (17m)$14.99
- Moxon (10m)$14.99
- Moxon (11m)$14.99
- Bruce Array (60m)$24.99
- Bruce Array (80m)$24.99
- VU2NSB Dangler (20,17, 12,10m)$29.99
- HamSphere Subscription$29.99
