Comparison

iTAK vs APRSSwift

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

Head to head
About

iTAK

This app provides real-time collaborative mapping and team tracking. Share locations, sensor data, videos, and chat with your team. Supports online and offline mapping with various data formats.

Highlights
  • Real-time team tracking
  • Collaborative mapping
  • Online and offline mapping
  • KML/KMZ/GeoPDF overlay import
  • Chat and file sharing
  • Live video streaming
  • Navigation tools
Features
Read full description

**Compatible with ALL TAK ecosystem (TAK server, WinTAK, ATAK, WebTAK)** The Team Awareness Kit (TAK) (known as the Tactical Assault Kit in the Department of Defense) application: iTAK is a collaborative geospatial application to see your teams’ locations, sensor information, videos, chat, and more in real-time. iTAK supports Department of Defense (DoD) and commercial sector standards for icons, sensor information, and communication. Data can be pre-loaded into iTAK or downloaded from the network (via TAK Server) when available. iTAK capabilities include: • Online and offline mapping (most standard formats), download the maps right in the app • Blue force / team tracking (BFT) • Collaborative mapping, including points, drawings, locations of interest • Import and display of KML, KMZ, GeoPDF overlays • Location marking, sharing, with photo tagging • Chat, file sharing, photo sharing • Live video streaming with the ability to share video links • Spotted map to mark and share multiple locations across your map • Digital pointer to rapidly mark and share items on the map with your team • Navigation-walking/hiking, driving, also useful flying and air-ground coordination • Center on self or other objects (e.g. another person in the network) • Range, bearing measurement tools • Team Emergency Beacons • Customizable toolbar • 3D perspective • All data is secured and fully compatibility with the TAK ecosystem (ATAK, TAK Server, WinTAK) • Useful for law enforcement, first responders, hunting, fishing, ornithology, wildlife site survey System Requirements Operating System: iOS version 17 and later.

About

APRSSwift

Track and message on the APRS network with your amateur radio callsign. View nearby stations on a live map, exchange text messages, and decode various packet types. Supports multiple connection methods and includes an Apple Watch app.

Highlights
  • Live APRS map with station tracking
  • Two-way APRS messaging
  • Full packet decoding
  • Multiple connection methods
  • Apple Watch app integration
  • SmartBeaconing for adaptive beaconing
Features
Read full description

APRSSwift brings the Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) to your Apple devices — a native, universal amateur-radio app for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. Report your position to the APRS network, watch nearby stations move on a live map, read a real-time packet log, and exchange APRS text messages — all with your own callsign. FEATURES • Live map with APRS symbols, station tracks, and your own location • Connect via APRS-IS (Internet), a TCP KISS TNC, a Bluetooth TNC (Mobilinkd), or the built-in AFSK sound modem (1200 baud — no extra hardware) • Full packet decoding: position, Mic-E, compressed, objects, items, status, weather, messages, and telemetry • SmartBeaconing — adaptive beacon rate based on speed and turns • Two-way APRS messaging with acknowledgements • Station list with distance, favorites, and proximity alerts • Maidenhead grid locator, metric or imperial units, and dead reckoning • Post APRS objects, send status reports, and view weather & telemetry charts • Apple Watch app: beacon, grid, and nearby stations on your wrist APRSSwift is designed for licensed amateur radio operators. A valid callsign is required; your APRS-IS passcode is generated automatically from it. 73!

Screenshots

iTAK4 screens
APRSSwift3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: APRSSwift at 100% against iTAK's 41%. APRSSwift also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.5) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 3 weeks). iTAK's advantage is ratings volume (156 vs 2). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

APRSSwift holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: iTAK has 156 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 41% of iTAK's written reviews are positive against 100% of APRSSwift's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iTAK ships an update every 3 weeks, APRSSwift every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
iTAK versus APRSSwift: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriTAKAPRSSwift
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.5 (156 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews40.6% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings156 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS17.617.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size278 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperUnited States Department of the Army, TAK Product CenterSevket Bugra CANATA

Customer experience

iTAK

All ratings156 ratings
Positive56.4%
Neutral19.2%
Negative24.4%
Written reviews101 reviews
Positive40.6%
Neutral28.7%
Negative30.7%

APRSSwift

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

Bugs and requests

iTAK

Reported bugs

23 issues
  • App crashes when exporting data packages
  • App crashes when uploading files with local data
  • App crashes when importing overlays
  • App crashes when changing map types
  • App crashes when creating missions
Show 18 more
  • App freezes when handling large numbers of objects (15+)
  • Indoor mapping causes app shutdown
  • Markers disappear on app reopening
  • Markers don't sync deletion status with ATAK users
  • HTTP video stream links don't work
  • Mesh network mode not functioning properly
  • Settings reset to defaults on restart
  • Toolbar disappears randomly
  • Notification badges don't clear properly
  • Unable to rename points of interest
  • Duplicate server entries appear
  • Unexpected shutdowns and crashes
  • Connection failures to TAK servers
  • Message notifications not appearing on iPhone
  • App won't launch after deletion/reinstallation
  • Data Sync broken in version 2.10.1
  • Overlay import causes instant crash
  • Markers become invisible with ArcGIS updates

Requested features

23 requests
  • Meshtastic and LoRa device support
  • GRG (Grid Reference Graphic) functionality
  • Mesh network integration (GoTenna, Beartooth)
  • Plugin support system
  • Google Maps or alternative map providers
Show 18 more
  • Offline map download capability
  • Angular measurement unit conversion (degrees to mil)
  • Nautical miles unit of measurement
  • Video stream support (HTTP/RTSP)
  • CASEVAC calling functionality
  • Polar plot tool
  • Data package import from Android ATAK
  • Bluetooth radio integration
  • Apple Watch companion app
  • Ability to edit and delete toolbar items
  • True/Magnetic bearing distinction
  • Point dragging and repositioning
  • Contact/team management system
  • Mission creation and editing
  • Windows TAK Server version
  • Improved notification system
  • Chinese language support
  • Better documentation and tutorials

APRSSwift

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

iTAK

No in-app purchases

None

APRSSwift

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is iTAK free?
iTAK is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is APRSSwift free?
APRSSwift is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, iTAK or APRSSwift?
APRSSwift is rated higher. iTAK averages 3.5 out of 5 from 156 ratings, while APRSSwift averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do iTAK or APRSSwift have ads?
Neither iTAK nor APRSSwift shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iTAK or APRSSwift?
iTAK ships an update every 3 weeks, and APRSSwift every 4 days. Most recently, iTAK was updated on October 10, 2026 and APRSSwift on October 9, 2026.

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