Comparison

SDR vs iFTx

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

Head to head
About

SDR

Control compatible Icom transceivers remotely or locally from your iPad. Offers full operation, dual VFO, a logbook, and integrated digital modes like FT8/FT4, SSTV, and CW decoding.

Highlights
  • Remote transceiver operation
  • Dual VFO and DualWatch
  • Integrated logbook with ADIF support
  • FT8/FT4, SSTV, and CW decoder tools
  • DX-Cluster integration
  • Call sign lookup and map display
Read full description

Software Defined Radio Client for Icom Transceivers and your iPad SDR-Control is a full featured iPad App to operate your Icom Transceiver at home or from around the world without additional Hard- or Software. Important: This App requires one of the following Icom Transceivers: IC-705, IC-7610, IC-9700, IC-7760 or the IC-R8600 Receiver or the new IC-7300 MK2 FACTS AND FEATURES: ■ Native iOS 26 app, backward compatible to iOS 17 ■ Compatible to any new Silicon M or older CPUs ■ Complete operation of your Icom Transceiver in all modes ■ Use the App local or to remote access of your Transceiver from any place without additional Hard- or Software ■ Dual VFO support (single Waterfall) ■ DualWatch support (Audio from both VFOs at the same time) ■ Logbook with auto logging, ADIF Im-/Export ■ UDP Log submission when using external logging software ■ Integrated full featured FT8 / FT4 Tool ■ Integrated SSTV receiver (NEW) ■ Integrated CW Decoder (NEW) ■ Integrated APRS Tool (NEW) ■ Integrated CW Keyer ■ DX-Cluster integration ■ Spots (from FT8, DX-Cluster) will be displayed in Waterfall ■ Band limits and Band-Modes will be displayed in Waterfall ■ Call sign lookup integrated ■ Displays Calls on Map with heading and distance information ■ MIDI Controller support ■ Keyboard shortcuts ■ And much more... WHAT YOU NEED: - An Icom IC-705, IC-7610, IC-9700, IC-7760 or IC-7300 MK2 Transceiver or IC-R8600 Receiver - The Transceiver needs to be connected to your Network (WiFi or LAN) - No USB cable needed or supported - An iPad that runs at least iOS 17 Find out more here: https://ham-radio-apps.com Read the Manual: http://go-to.me/sdrcontrol-ios-manual

About

iFTx

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
Read full description

Introducing iFTx: The Essential iOS App for FT8 and FT4 Digital Modes! - Seamlessly Engage: iFTx brings FT8 and FT4 digital modes to your iOS device, enabling convenient and portable digital communication. - Anytime, Anywhere: Enjoy the flexibility to connect with operators globally from the comfort of your iOS device. - Effortless Operation: Navigate the user-friendly interface for quick setup and real-time messaging. - Reliable Performance: Experience clear signals and adapt to changing propagation conditions with ease. - Log Your Success: Keep track of your contacts effortlessly with integrated QSO logging.

Screenshots

iFTx4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: iFTx at $1.99 against SDR's $49.99. iFTx also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.6). SDR's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 6 months) and review sentiment (80% vs 72%). On rating, ratings volume, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

SDR costs $49.99 and iFTx $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.2 for SDR against 4.2 for iFTx. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 67 and 70 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 80% of SDR's written reviews are positive against 72% of iFTx's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SDR ships an update every 2 weeks, iFTx every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
SDR versus iFTx: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSDRiFTx
Price$49.99$1.99 — better
Rating4.2 (67 ratings)4.2 (70 ratings)
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews — better71.8% of reviews
Number of ratings6770 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 6 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size47 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMarcus RoskoschChristoph Nadig

Customer experience

SDR

All ratings67 ratings
Positive79.1%
Neutral3.0%
Negative17.9%
Written reviews70 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral4.3%
Negative15.7%

iFTx

All ratings70 ratings
Positive75.7%
Neutral18.6%
Negative5.7%
Written reviews85 reviews
Positive71.8%
Neutral18.8%
Negative9.4%

In-app purchases

None

SDR

No in-app purchases

None

iFTx

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SDR free?
SDR costs $49.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is iFTx free?
iFTx costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SDR or iFTx?
SDR and iFTx are both rated 4.2 out of 5 on the App Store, from 67 and 70 ratings respectively.
Do SDR or iFTx have ads?
Neither SDR nor iFTx shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SDR or iFTx?
SDR ships an update every 2 weeks, and iFTx every 6 months. Most recently, SDR was updated on September 23, 2026 and iFTx on September 21, 2026.

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