Comparison

WSPR Radio vs CW Decoder

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

Head to head
About

WSPR Radio

Features
Read full description

Listen to WSPR Radio worldwide on your iPhone and iPad.   Listen to music, sports, news, and talk shows from WSPR Radio while being immersed in conversations with our DJs, friends, and fellow listeners. With the app you get: - Instant play of the radio station with song information - Real-time messaging with friends, listeners, and DJs - Quick access our station's social media feeds - Interactive schedule of radio events and programming - you can set alerts and be notified when your favorite shows are about to come on air For technical support for the app please contact RadioFX at contact@radiofxinc.com. For questions about content of the station, please use the contact information in the "i" icon in the app.

About

CW Decoder

This application uses AI for high-accuracy Morse code decoding. It offers real-time signal processing for steady performance in noisy conditions. A free version allows for short decoding sessions, while a paid upgrade provides unlimited use and advanced features.

Highlights
  • AI-driven decoding
  • Real-time signal processing
  • Adjustable speed and thresholds
  • Decodes letters, numerals, and prosigns
  • Built-in microphone input
  • USB-C audio input (full version)
  • Scrollable decoded text
Features
Read full description

A high-accuracy Morse code decoder An AI model now drives the decoding, raising the hit rate on real on-air signals. Sample-by-sample signal processing keeps it steady in noise. Try the free version first and hear what it can pull out of the band. ■ Free version vs. Full Version The decoding engine itself is free for everyone to try. [Free version] • Each decoding session runs up to 2 minutes (restart as often as you like) • Standard font • Audio input from the built-in microphone only → Ideal for trying the app out or checking a short QSO. [Full Version (paid add-on)] • No time limit — built for long ragchews and for leaving it running while you monitor • Font settings — pick the typeface and size that read best for you • USB-C audio input — wire it straight to your rig and decode without the room getting in the way → Recommended if you want it on the desk for real operating, or a study setup you never have to babysit. ■ Features and technology (Real-time decoding) • Speed range: 5–50 WPM (speed and thresholds adjust themselves) • Detection range: 400 Hz – 900 Hz (locks onto the strongest signal) (What it decodes) • Letters, numerals and punctuation • Prosigns, and characters run together the way operators actually send them (Audio input: built-in microphone or USB-C) • Built-in microphone: no cable, nothing to set up. Point it at the speaker and go. • USB-C input (Full Version): connect any USB Audio Class device with a cable and it is recognised on the spot. No driver, no settings screen to find. • Plugging in switches the input over automatically; unplugging hands it back to the built-in microphone. • Taking audio straight from your rig's headphone output or an audio interface keeps conversation, traffic and household noise out of the decode. (Input source indicator) • The icon at the top left of the screen shows which input is in use at a glance: Microphone icon — the built-in microphone Connector icon — a USB-C device (shown in blue) • Plug or unplug the cable and the icon follows along on its own. • Connect a USB device before purchasing and a small lock appears. Tap it for details about the Full Version. • In landscape the icon moves to the button row at the bottom. (Signal processing) • Band-pass filter: a narrow window that cuts everything you did not tune for • AGC: tracks changes in signal strength and rides out fading • Noise blanker: removes spike noise using median absolute deviation • State stabilisation: multi-sample buffering so noise does not trip a false element ■ Built for operating, not just demos • Scrollable text, so anything you missed is still there to go back to • Locks firmly onto the 400 Hz – 900 Hz range where CW actually lives • A visual read-out that backs up what your ears are doing • A direct USB-C connection to the rig gives you the same steady copy in the shack or out portable ■ Who it is for (New to Morse) For anyone curious about Morse who is not sure where to start. Hearing it and reading it at the same time means you can check yourself as you go, which makes the learning stick far faster. (Licensed amateurs) • Practice: compare the decode against your own copy and find the characters you keep missing • Contests: a second pair of ears on fast CW, and a way to check a log entry • Portable: leave the laptop at home. A phone is the whole receiving setup. • Direct connection: over USB-C the copy stays solid even somewhere noisy (Returning and experienced operators) As a backstop for ears that are not what they were, or simply to make a long watch less tiring. Strong filtering keeps weak and crowded signals readable. Note: USB-C audio input requires a device with a USB-C port (iPhone 15 or later, USB-C iPad models) and a USB Audio Class compatible device. Note: Microphone access is used only to analyse the signal. Nothing is recorded, stored or transmitted. Audio arriving over USB-C uses the same permission.

Screenshots

WSPR Radio4 screens
CW Decoder3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: WSPR Radio at none against CW Decoder's 1. CW Decoder's advantage is update cadence (every 8 days vs every 2 months). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. CW Decoder sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. WSPR Radio asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

WSPR Radio ships an update every 2 months, CW Decoder every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
WSPR Radio versus CW Decoder: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWSPR RadioCW Decoder
PriceFreeFree
Rating—2.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 8 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.6 — better17.2
Further details — not scored
Size76 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRadioFXKeiya Chiba

In-app purchases

None

WSPR Radio

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

CW Decoder

One-time1
  • Unlock Full Version$2.99

Questions

Is WSPR Radio free?
WSPR Radio is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is CW Decoder free?
CW Decoder is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do WSPR Radio or CW Decoder have ads?
Neither WSPR Radio nor CW Decoder shows ads.
Which is updated more often, WSPR Radio or CW Decoder?
WSPR Radio ships an update every 2 months, and CW Decoder every 8 days. Most recently, WSPR Radio was updated on October 8, 2026 and CW Decoder on October 11, 2026.

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