RepeaterPhone vs RS
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
RepeaterPhone
Connect your mobile device to EchoLink or AllStarLink radio nodes, repeaters, and conferences. Features a push-to-talk interface, node directory search, and favorites for quick access. Supports Bluetooth headsets and includes a watch extension for convenient control.
- Push-to-talk interface
- EchoLink/AllStarLink node connection
- Node directory search
- Favorite nodes
- Bluetooth headset support
- Watch extension control
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Note: This app is for licensed Amateur Radio operators only. RepeaterPhone provides the ability to connect your mobile device to EchoLink or AllStarLink nodes, including repeaters and conferences. Push to talk today! You will need an account with either the EchoLink or AllStarLink networks. Please see https://www.echolink.org or https://www.allstarlink.org, respectively, for more details - Push-to-talk interface - Browse or search the directory for available nodes - Mark favorites with a star for quick access - Supports various audio devices, including Bluetooth headsets - Fully integrated into your phone's recent call system - Includes a watch extension for dialing favorites and controlling push-to-talk - Sharing your device with a licensed family member? Switch accounts easily
RS
This app expands D-STAR transceiver capabilities over the internet using Terminal or Access Point modes. It allows communication even outside of repeater range by routing signals through your device via cellular or Wi-Fi networks.
- Terminal mode for internet-based transceiver communication
- Access Point mode to function as a Wireless LAN access point
- Expands D-STAR capabilities beyond repeater range
- Utilizes internet, LTE, or 5G networks for signal transmission
- Requires public IP address for gateway operation
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[Features] The RS-MS3I is an iPhone or iPad application designed to expand the DV mode capability of a D-STAR transceiver using a Terminal or an Access Point mode. These modes enable D-STAR operations by sending signals from the D-STAR transceiver over the Internet, even when that transceiver is out of the range of a D-STAR repeater. The transceiver sends your voice signals using an Internet, LTE, or 5G network, through an iPhone or iPad. 1. Terminal mode By operating the D-STAR transceiver through the iPhone or iPad, you can contact other D-STAR transceivers. In the Terminal mode, the transceiver will not transmit an RF signal, even if [PTT] is held down, because the microphone audio signal is transmitted through an Internet, LTE, or 5G network. 2. Access Point mode In this mode, the D-STAR transceiver functions as a Wireless LAN access point. The D-STAR transceiver repeats the received signal from the iPhone or iPad, to other D-STAR transceivers. Refer to the instruction manual (PDF) for setting details. The instruction manual can be downloaded from the ICOM website. (URL: https://www.icomjapan.com/support/manual/) [Device requirements] iOS15 or later [Usable transceivers] (As of March 2026) - ID-52A PLUS or ID-52E PLUS Note: - This application operates on iPhone or iPad as a gateway server on the D-STAR system. Therefore, a public IP address must be set on either the iPhone, iPad, or the Wireless LAN router. - Ask your mobile carrier or ISP for a public IP address. According to the contract, communication charges and/or communication packet limits may occur. - Ask your mobile carrier, ISP, or manufacturer of your iPhone, iPad, or router about public IP setting details. - Icom does not guarantee that the RS-MS3I works on all iPhone and iPad. It may not work properly, depending on the OS version, installed applications, or other reasons. - When a Bluetooth headset is connected to the transceiver, depending on the combination of your iPhone or iPad and the Bluetooth headset, sound may be interrupted, and communication may not be possible. In such cases, please disconnect the Bluetooth headset before use. - Turn OFF the Wireless LAN function when communicating through an LTE or 5G network. - Operate your transceiver with the RS-MS3I in compliance with appropriate regulations. - Icom recommends that you operate them with a club station license.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: RepeaterPhone at 71% against RS's 14%. RepeaterPhone also leads on rating (4.4 vs 2.4) and ratings volume (89 vs 5). RS's advantage is price (Free vs $7.99). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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
RS is free to download; RepeaterPhone costs $7.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
RepeaterPhone holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 2.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RepeaterPhone has 89 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 71% of RepeaterPhone's written reviews are positive against 14% of RS's.
RepeaterPhone ships an update every 2 months, RS every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | RepeaterPhone | RS |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.4 (89 ratings) — better | 2.4 (5 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 71.2% of reviews — better | 14.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 89 — better | 5 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | #152 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 14 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Weston Bustraan | ICOM INCORPORATED |
Customer experience
RepeaterPhone
RS
Bugs and requests
RepeaterPhone
Reported bugs
18 issues- Authentication failed on setup
- App crashes with latest iOS
- iPhone 16 Pro will not connect
- Many Allstar nodes reject connection attempts
- Crashes sometimes, interrupting calls
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- Failed to load list of stations
- Randomly disconnects
- Hubs error out with 'Rejected: No authority found'
- Crashes under iOS 17.6
- App doesn’t work on Echolink
- Connection closes when screen locks
- Receive volume very low after iOS 16
- Audio seems less than fully baked, low volume
- Trying to change speakers mutes app
- Private nodes stay keyed after unkeying
- App reads 'Account not found'
- Callsign beginning with a number times out at 45secs
- Supermon stops reporting during local private node connection
Requested features
14 requests- DTMF presets on dial page
- Apple CarPlay integration
- CQ function inclusion
- Organize nodes by location/group chat
- See total people connected before connecting
Show 9 moreShow fewer
- Search for nodes by location
- More sorting for repeater list
- Last heard map/list
- Listen-only mode
- Dialer for Allstar codes (*72 etc.)
- Android app with PTT
- Macros to hound and disconnect nodes
- Map of AllStar node location
- Adjustable mic level slider
RS
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
RepeaterPhone
No in-app purchases
RS
No in-app purchases








