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 transceiver remotely or locally from your iPhone. Operate in all modes, log QSOs, and utilize integrated digital modes like FT8/FT4 and SSTV. No extra hardware is needed for global access.

Highlights
  • Remote transceiver operation
  • All mode control
  • Auto logging logbook
  • Integrated FT8/FT4 tool
  • Integrated SSTV receiver
  • Integrated CW decoder and keyer
  • DX-Cluster integration
Read full description

Software Defined Radio Client for Icom Transceivers and your iPhone SDR-Control Mobile is a full featured iPhone App to operate your Icom Transceiver at home or from around the world without additional Hard- or Software. Important: This App requires one of the following Icom Transceivers: IC-705, IC-7610, IC-9700, IC-7760 or the IC-R8600 Receiver or the new IC-7300 MK2 FACTS AND FEATURES: ■ Native iOS 26 app, backward compatible to iOS 17 ■ Compatible with any iPhone ■ Complete operation of your Icom Transceiver in all modes ■ Use the App local or to remote access of your Transceiver from any place without additional Hard- or Software ■ Logbook with auto logging, ADIF Im-/Export ■ UDP Log submission when using external logging software ■ Integrated full featured FT8 / FT4 Tool ■ Integrated SSTV receiver (NEW) ■ Integrated CW Decoder ■ Integrated CW Keyer ■ DX-Cluster integration ■ Call sign lookup integrated ■ Displays Calls on Map with heading and distance information ■ And much more... WHAT YOU NEED: - An Icom IC-705, IC-7610, IC-9700 or IC-7760 Transceiver or IC-R8600 Receiver or the new IC-7300 MK2 - The Transceiver needs to be connected to your Network (WiFi or LAN) - No USB cable needed or supported - An iPhone that runs at least iOS 17 Find out more here: https://ham-radio-apps.com Read the Manual: http://go-to.me/sdrcontrol-mobile-manual

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
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

SDR4 screens
iFTx4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: iFTx at $1.99 against SDR's $44.99. iFTx also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.6). SDR's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 6 months) and rating (4.5 vs 4.2). On ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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 $44.99 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, 4.5 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 64 and 70 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 84% of SDR's written reviews are positive against 72% of iFTx's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SDR ships an update every 2 weeks, iFTx every 6 months. Both last shipped on September 29, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
SDR versus iFTx: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSDRiFTx
Price$44.99$1.99 — better
Rating4.5 (64 ratings) — better4.2 (70 ratings)
Positive reviews84.1% of reviews — better71.8% of reviews
Number of ratings6470 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 6 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size47 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMarcus RoskoschChristoph Nadig

Customer experience

SDR

All ratings64 ratings
Positive89.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative10.9%
Written reviews69 reviews
Positive84.1%
Neutral5.8%
Negative10.1%

iFTx

All ratings70 ratings
Positive75.7%
Neutral18.6%
Negative5.7%
Written reviews85 reviews
Positive71.8%
Neutral18.8%
Negative9.4%

Bugs and requests

SDR

Reported bugs

12 issues
  • Dialogs do not scale with larger text setting
  • Frequency display overlaps buttons
  • FT8 decoding issues (lower signal levels than WSJTX)
  • App crashes and leaves radio in transmit
  • Logbook export not functional after update
Show 7 more
  • Function button for horizontal scrolling not fully displayed
  • FT8 decode is useless and unreliable
  • Messed up radio, requiring reset
  • RX audio unusable outside home network (prior to 1.5.1)
  • Struggles with audio RX packets on remote cellular networks
  • Cannot work over mobile data with certain carriers (EE)
  • FT8 alerts sound but don't display

Requested features

14 requests
  • Develop for IC-7800
  • CarPlay support
  • Apple Watch add-on
  • Windows version
  • JS8call support
Show 9 more
  • More digital modes
  • Display memory bank names
  • Initiate memory scan from app
  • WSPR implementation
  • Tool for WSPR
  • More FT8/FT4 features (e.g., setting transmit frequency directly in FT8 view)
  • Send image to unit
  • KISS TNC support
  • Control digital modes (reflectors, etc.)

iFTx

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

SDR

No in-app purchases

None

iFTx

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SDR free?
SDR costs $44.99, 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 4.5 out of 5 from 64 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 every 2 weeks, and iFTx every 6 months. Most recently, SDR was updated on September 29, 2026 and iFTx on September 29, 2026.

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