# FT8 Decoder vs iFTx

The clearest difference is monetization model: iFTx at free against FT8 Decoder's paid. iFTx also leads on review sentiment (72% vs 50%) and update cadence (every 6 months vs every 18 months). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

FT8 Decoder costs $1.99 and iFTx $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.3 for FT8 Decoder against 4.2 for iFTx. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: iFTx has 70 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 50% of FT8 Decoder's written reviews are positive against 72% of iFTx's.

FT8 Decoder ships an update every 18 months, iFTx every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | FT8 Decoder | iFTx |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $1.99 | $1.99 |
| Rating | **[4.3 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ft8-decoder/id1592847401/reviews)** | [4.2 (70 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iftx/id6446093115/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 8 | **70** |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | **71.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 18 months | **Every 6 months** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | — | **#153** |
| Size | 1 MB | 7 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.4 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [HotPaw Productions](https://appshunter.io/developer/285074853) | [Christoph Nadig](https://appshunter.io/developer/1275170431) |

## What reviewers say

### FT8 Decoder

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ft8-decoder/id1592847401)

This application decodes FT8 digital signals from amateur radio bands. It can process audio from external sources or directly from an SSB radio or SDR. The app also generates FT8 modulated audio for experimentation.

**Highlights:** Decodes FT8 8FSK modulated signals, Processes external audio or SDR sound, Supports standard callsigns and 13-character messages, Generates FT8 message audio, Experiment with sending and receiving FT8 audio

**In-app purchases:** none


### iFTx

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iftx/id6446093115)

**Currently charting:** #153 Top Paid · Utilities (US App Store)

This app enables seamless communication using FT8 and FT4 digital modes directly from your iOS device. Enjoy portable digital connections, effortless operation with a user-friendly interface, and reliable performance for global contact.

**Highlights:** FT8 and FT4 digital modes, Portable digital communication, Global operator connections, User-friendly interface, Integrated QSO logging

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is FT8 Decoder free?

FT8 Decoder costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is iFTx free?

iFTx costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, FT8 Decoder or iFTx?

FT8 Decoder is rated higher. FT8 Decoder averages 4.3 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while iFTx averages 4.2 from 70 ratings.

### Do FT8 Decoder or iFTx have ads?

Neither FT8 Decoder nor iFTx shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, FT8 Decoder or iFTx?

FT8 Decoder ships an update every 18 months, and iFTx every 6 months. Most recently, FT8 Decoder was updated on September 21, 2026 and iFTx on September 29, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*