Comparison

smart vs SWLtools

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

Head to head
About

smart

Features
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You can use the APP to monitor the measurements of the supported BLE multimeter and Clamp meter, perform remote control, view trending graphs, etc. The recorded data can be saved as CSV file. More than one meters can be connect simultaneously.

About

SWLtools

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SWLtools: The Companion for Shortwave Listening Enthusiasts SWLtools is an app designed specifically for Shortwave Listening (SWL) enthusiasts who want to enhance their listening experience. It records what you hear, shows you the band, and reads the digital modes that carry text on the air. Whether you are a hobbyist or a dedicated DXer, SWLtools supports your activity from the antenna to the logbook. DECODING THE ON-AIR TEXT MODES Point the app at a signal and it turns it into readable text. - Morse (CW). The app follows the tone by itself and measures the sending speed from the signal, so it keeps up with hand-sent Morse as well as machine-sent. A side panel collects the callsigns it has heard, and each transmission starts on its own line when the operator hands over. - RTTY, in both ITA2 and SITOR-B. - Weather fax (WEFAX). The chart builds up line by line as it arrives, and can be saved straight to your photo library. - ACARS aircraft messages, with the ones carrying a position shown on a map. Decoded text can be saved, reopened later and shared. All times, on screen and in the saved files, are UTC โ€” the way radio logs are kept. SPECTRUM AND WATERFALL If your receiver provides an IQ output, SWLtools displays the real-time spectrum and spectrogram. Visually explore the bands and gain deeper insight into the signals you are receiving. Where the two channels of a USB adapter do not arrive perfectly in step โ€” a common trait of audio codecs โ€” a sample-delay correction removes the mirror image that would otherwise appear beside every signal. AUDIO RECORDING AND STORAGE Easily record and store audio directly from your receiver. Capture signals from around the world and listen to them again whenever you want, or turn a recording into a video to share. OPTIMIZED FOR THE BELKA RECEIVER SWLtools was designed to work seamlessly with the Belka receiver. It is the perfect companion for outdoor listening sessions, letting you record your DX, explore frequencies with the spectrum view, or read a weather fax from the field. The app is optimized for low power consumption when displaying the spectrum and waterfall, making it ideal for portable use. REQUIREMENTS To use SWLtools you need an inexpensive USB audio adapter (ADC/DAC) connected to your iOS device. These affordable dongles typically provide a microphone input and a headphone output, which is enough to record, to decode, and to show a single-channel spectrum. A two-channel audio interface does more: it carries a true I/Q pair, so the spectrum shows the full band above and below the tuned frequency, and it is the only kind that can play the receiver's audio through the iPhone speaker while you listen. The app tells you which class of device you have connected and what it allows, and an audio diagnostics panel shows exactly what iOS is doing with the signal if something does not sound right. Note: please make sure your receiver is compatible with the app's features and that you have the required accessories for optimal performance.

Screenshots

smart4 screens
SWLtools4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: smart at Free against SWLtools's $3.99. smart also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). SWLtools's advantage is update cadence (every 3 months vs every 10 months). On ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

smart is free to download; SWLtools costs $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

smart ships an update every 10 months, SWLtools every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 10, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences ยท 3 level
smart versus SWLtools: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametersmartSWLtools
PriceFree โ€” better$3.99
Update frequencyEvery 10 monthsEvery 3 months โ€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod โ€” betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 โ€” better17.0
Further details โ€” not scored
Size56 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperๆŒฏๅ†› ๆฑคStefano Rampazzo

In-app purchases

None

smart

No in-app purchases

None

SWLtools

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is smart free?
smart is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SWLtools free?
SWLtools costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do smart or SWLtools have ads?
Neither smart nor SWLtools shows ads.
Which is updated more often, smart or SWLtools?
smart ships an update every 10 months, and SWLtools every 3 months. Most recently, smart was updated on September 10, 2026 and SWLtools on September 25, 2026.

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