# FT8 Decoder vs Packet Commander

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.

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.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | FT8 Decoder | Packet Commander |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $1.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.3 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ft8-decoder/id1592847401/reviews) | **[4.9 (44 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/packet-commander/id6743951365/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 8 | **44** |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 18 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 1 MB | 10 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.4** | 18.2 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [HotPaw Productions](https://appshunter.io/developer/285074853) | [Island Magic Co.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1529387252) |

## 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


### Packet Commander

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/packet-commander/id6743951365)

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Yearly Subscription | $8.99 | per year |
| One-Time Purchase | $24.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked 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.

---

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