Meshtastic vs ICAware
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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
Read full descriptionHide full description
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.
ICAware
Read full descriptionHide full description
ICAware is designed to handle incidents of all sizes from 6 person man-hunt to natural disasters (hurricane, tornado, etc.). Push notifications from new assignments, division requests, and more. Includes a web interface for an EOC or command stuff to view shelter status', personnel assignments, and more. This app requires an account with Southern Software, Inc to create incidents to manage
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is iOS requirement: ICAware at 15.6 against Meshtastic's 17.5. On price, update cadence, 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Meshtastic ships an update every 10 days, ICAware every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Meshtastic | ICAware |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.1 (824 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 44.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 824 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 10 days — better | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 17.5 | 15.6 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 95 MB | 52 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Meshtastic LLC | Southern Software, Inc. |
Bugs and 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
ICAware
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Meshtastic
No in-app purchases
ICAware
No in-app purchases
