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 your Icom radio remotely from your iPad, either at home via Wi-Fi or from anywhere over the internet. Features include spectrum scope, waterfall display, and full radio controls. Supports various Icom models and offers modes like FT8, JS8, and speech transcription.

Highlights
  • Remote radio control over Wi-Fi or internet
  • Spectrum scope and waterfall display
  • Full radio control interface
  • FT8, JS8, CW, and speech modes
  • Integrated logbook with iCloud sync
  • DX Cluster and band plan integration
Features
Read full description

Your Icom radio on your iPad: at home over Wi-Fi or from anywhere over the internet. Made by a ham, for hams, with personal support included. SDR-Control shows the spectrum scope and waterfall of your Icom radio with all its controls on the large iPad screen. No extra hardware or software needed. WORKS WITH ■ IC-705 (Wi-Fi) ■ IC-7610, IC-7760, IC-9700, IC-7300 MK2 and the IC-R8600 receiver (radio on your network by cable) The app connects over the network only. The older IC-7300 (without MK2) has no network connection and can't be used. OPERATE ■ Spectrum scope and waterfall with band plan, DX Cluster and FT8 spots ■ Two VFOs, filters, preamp, attenuator, NB, NR, notch, AGC and more ■ Compact floating panels: tuning, PTT, CW, memories, macros, Command Bar, DTMF, RIT / ∆TX, D-Star ■ Your iPad as microphone and speaker; the radio keeps playing in the background, also with the cover closed MODES ■ FT8-Improved with AutoAnswer and AutoCQ, plus the classic FT8 ■ JS8 keyboard chat ■ CW with decoder, keyer and CW keyboard ■ Speech: incoming voice transcribed and translated, your typed text sent as speech ■ SSTV, HF-Fax, APRS and WSPR FT8-Improved, JS8, Speech and WSPR need iPadOS 26. TOOLS ■ Logbook with ADIF import and export, shared via iCloud with SmartSDR, FT-Control, TS-Control and K4-Control, on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Vision Pro ■ DX Cluster, POTA, PSK Reporter, Call Lookup, Band Plan, Network Stats, Memories, Scanning, S.A.T. ■ Controllers: MIDI, CTR2, HaliKey, Pryme, Flic ■ 4O3A Genius devices and Ultra Beam antennas MADE BY A HAM Made by Marcus, DL8MRE, who has been developing apps for Apple devices since 2009 and uses this app every day in his own shack, where all supported radios are on the desk. Personal online support and a detailed manual are included. Updates with new modes and features are free: no subscription, no in-app purchases. WHAT YOU NEED ■ One of the radios above, connected to your network ■ An iPad with iPadOS 18 or later ■ For use over the internet: access to your home network from outside (see the manual) Manual: https://go-to.me/sdrcontrol-ios-manual More apps: https://ham-radio-apps.com SDR-Control is developed independently and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Icom.

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
Currently charting
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 chart position (#104 vs unranked) and device support (3 vs 1). SDR's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 6 months). On rating, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads 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

SDR holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 88 and 70 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 77% of SDR's written reviews are positive against 72% of iFTx's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SDR ships an update fortnightly, iFTx every 6 months. Both last shipped on November 14, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
SDR versus iFTx: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSDRiFTx
Price$49.99$1.99 — better
Rating4.4 (88 ratings) — better4.2 (70 ratings)
Positive reviews77.4% of reviews — better71.8% of reviews
Number of ratings88 — better70
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 6 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
Best chart rank—#104 — better
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size56 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMarcus RoskoschChristoph Nadig

Customer experience

SDR

All ratings86 ratings
Positive82.6%
Neutral2.3%
Negative15.1%
Written reviews84 reviews
Positive77.4%
Neutral3.6%
Negative19.0%

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 is rated higher. SDR averages 4.4 out of 5 from 88 ratings, while iFTx averages 4.2 from 70 ratings.
Do SDR or iFTx have ads?
Neither SDR nor iFTx shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SDR or iFTx?
SDR ships an update fortnightly, and iFTx every 6 months. Most recently, SDR was updated on November 14, 2026 and iFTx on November 14, 2026.

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