Rattlegram vs PacketMessage
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Rattlegram
This app utilizes advanced COFDM technology for audio-based SMS transmission. It supports various modes with specific encoding and modulation techniques, requiring minimal bandwidth for efficient data transfer.
- COFDM technology
- Audio-based SMS
- 160 ms OFDM symbols
- Differential PSK modulation
- Forward error correction
- Low bandwidth requirement
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COFDMTV is based on COFDM (coded orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing) technology: - 160 ms long OFDM symbols - 6.25 Hz per sub-carrier - 1/8 guard interval - differentially encoded PSK (phase-shift keying) modulation - systematic polar codes for forward error correction Currently Modes 14, 15 and 16 are supported: Using either SPC(2048, 1392), SPC(2048, 1056) or SPC(2048, 712) with CRC32C aided SCL decoding and differential QPSK modulation for the payload. Only a bandwidth of 1600 Hz is needed and the transmission of either 85, 128 or 170 bytes take about one second with the leading noise and fancy header disabled.
PacketMessage
This app enables licensed amateur radio operators to send reliable messages directly over RF using their radio and a compatible TNC interface. It leverages advanced error correction protocols for robust communication in a decentralized network.
- FX.25 forward error correction
- AX.25 bit-flip error correction
- Software TNC or KISS TNC interface support
- Direct RF message transmission
- Decentralized communication
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PacketMessage fully supports FX.25 forward error correction and AX.25 bit-flip error correction. Send reliable messages over software TNC or KISS TNC interfaces. Decentralized solution, messages travel directly over RF via your radio. PacketMessage is intended to be used by licensed amateur radio operators. A valid amateur radio license, assigned callsign, and a compatible radio are required to send and receive messages. This app does not function as a standalone messenger.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: PacketMessage at 5.0 against Rattlegram's 4.5. PacketMessage also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 9 months). Rattlegram's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ratings volume (23 vs 1). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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
Both are free to download. PacketMessage sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Rattlegram asks for nothing beyond the download.
PacketMessage holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Rattlegram has 23 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Rattlegram ships an update every 9 months, PacketMessage weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Rattlegram | PacketMessage |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (23 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 90.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 23 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | aicodix GmbH | Lukasz Skierkowski |
Customer experience
Rattlegram
PacketMessage
In-app purchases
Rattlegram
No in-app purchases
PacketMessage
- Small Tip$1.99
- Medium Tip$4.99
- Large Tip$9.99
