Comparison

FT8 Decoder vs Packet Commander

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

Head to head
About

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.

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
Read full description

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.

About

Packet Commander

This app provides a classic terminal experience for packet radio communication on mobile devices. It offers powerful terminal features, smart connection management, and real-time over-the-air traffic monitoring. It's designed for amateur radio operators to connect with nodes, BBS, and decode traffic.

Highlights
  • Full-screen terminal for packet nodes and BBS
  • Classic color themes and adjustable layout
  • YAPP protocol support for file transfers
  • Location-aware digipeater routing
  • Seamless iCloud sync
  • Over-the-air traffic decoding
  • Auto-discovery of TNCs
Read full description

Packet Commander brings a classic terminal experience for packet radio to your iPhone or iPad. Try it free. The download includes 5 full connection sessions so you can explore the features and confirm compatibility before purchasing. After that, a purchase is required to continue connecting. Note: An amateur radio license is required to operate on the air. Powerful Terminal • Full-screen terminal for interacting with packet nodes and BBS over amateur radio • Classic color themes inspired by iconic computers • Adjustable fonts and layout for readability and screen efficiency • YAPP protocol support for file transfers • Dictation-ready for composing messages hands-free • Smart filename selection — double tap to highlight and copy Smarter Packet Connections • Location-aware digipeater routing: automatically recalls the last-used path at each location • Seamless iCloud sync for nodes and digipeaters across all your devices • Compatible with popular packet node software including BPQ32, URONode, and others Over-the-Air Monitor Connect to your radio and decode over-the-air traffic in real time. AX.25 frames are decoded and presented in an easy-to-read format. • Filter traffic to display exactly what you’re looking for • Search by address or content • Export the log to a file for later analysis Works with the Gear You Love • Auto-discovery of Bluetooth and TCP TNCs, including Dire Wolf on DigiPi • Automatic frequency set/restore on supported radios • Built-in, high-performance 1200 baud AFSK software modem • Optimized for VHF/UHF packet at both 1200 and 9600 baud Compatible with the Following Radios and TNCs: Radios with Built-in TNCs (Auto-sets and restores frequency on those radios) · BTECH UV-PRO, UV-50PRO · VERO VR-N76, VR-N7600 · RADIODITY GA-5WB, DB50-B · Kenwood TH-D74*, TH-D75* · PicoAPRS V4 *Requires B.B. Link Bluetooth adapter Portable KISS TNCs · Mobilinkd TNC3, TNC4 · LiNK500 TNC · DigiPi · Dire Wolf Software TNC Audio Interfaces (Using built-in software modem) · Digirig Lite · Digirig VOX PTT Cable · AIOC (All-In-One Cable) Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

FT8 Decoder1 screens
Packet Commander4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Packet Commander at 100% against FT8 Decoder's 50%. Packet Commander also leads on price (Free vs $1.99) and rating (4.9 vs 4.3). FT8 Decoder's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (15.4 vs 18.2). On 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Packet Commander is free to download; FT8 Decoder costs $1.99 up front. Packet Commander sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per year. FT8 Decoder asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Packet Commander holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Packet Commander has 44 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of FT8 Decoder's written reviews are positive against 100% of Packet Commander's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FT8 Decoder ships an update every 18 months, Packet Commander every 2 months. Both last shipped on September 21, 2026.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
FT8 Decoder versus Packet Commander: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFT8 DecoderPacket Commander
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating4.3 (8 ratings)4.9 (44 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings844 — better
Update frequencyEvery 18 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.4 — better18.2
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHotPaw ProductionsIsland Magic Co.

Customer experience

FT8 Decoder

All ratings8 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral12.5%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral16.7%
Negative33.3%

Packet Commander

All ratings44 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

FT8 Decoder

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Packet Commander

Subscriptions1
  • Yearly Subscription$8.991 Year
One-time1
  • One-Time Purchase$24.99

Questions

Is FT8 Decoder free?
FT8 Decoder costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Packet Commander free?
Packet Commander is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, FT8 Decoder or Packet Commander?
Packet Commander is rated higher. FT8 Decoder averages 4.3 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while Packet Commander averages 4.9 from 44 ratings.
Do FT8 Decoder or Packet Commander have ads?
Neither FT8 Decoder nor Packet Commander shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FT8 Decoder or Packet Commander?
FT8 Decoder ships an update every 18 months, and Packet Commander every 2 months. Most recently, FT8 Decoder was updated on September 21, 2026 and Packet Commander on September 21, 2026.

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