FT8 Decoder vs Grid Locator
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
FT8 Decoder
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.
- 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
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An FT8 decoder. FT8 is a weak signal digital mode, currently very popular in the amateur radio HF shortwave bands. The ft8d app allows decoding FT8 8FSK modulated signals contained in externally provided audio or sound from an SSB radio or SDR. The app supports Level 1 decoding of messages with standard callsigns or 13 character free text messages. The app can also generate standard FT8 message audio, so can be used to experiment with sending and receiving FT8 encoded and modulated audio. The app does NOT perform Auto-sequencing, or decode long hashed callsigns.
Grid Locator
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The Grid Locator app uses the location services to get your current position and calculate the six digit maidenhead grid square locator form the geographic coordinates. The grid locator is used by radioamateurs worldwide to indicate the location of their station and to calculate the distance and bearing to other stations. With this app, which comes with a nice watch companion app, you always know your current locator at a fingertip.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Grid Locator at Free against FT8 Decoder's $1.99. Grid Locator also leads on update cadence (every 10 days vs every 18 months). FT8 Decoder's advantage is iOS requirement (15.4 vs 18.0). On ads, in-app purchases 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
Grid Locator is free to download; FT8 Decoder costs $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
FT8 Decoder ships an update every 18 months, Grid Locator every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | FT8 Decoder | Grid Locator |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.3 (8 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 8 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 18 months | Every 10 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better |
| Requires iOS | 15.4 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | HotPaw Productions | micro systems |
In-app purchases
FT8 Decoder
No in-app purchases
Grid Locator
No in-app purchases
