# HotPaw Basic vs ShackPilot

The clearest difference is review sentiment: ShackPilot at 100% against HotPaw Basic's 52%. ShackPilot also leads on price (Free vs $4.99) and rating (5.0 vs 3.9). HotPaw Basic's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ratings volume (7 vs 1). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

ShackPilot is free to download; HotPaw Basic costs $4.99 up front. ShackPilot sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. HotPaw Basic asks for nothing beyond the download.

ShackPilot holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: HotPaw Basic has 7 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 52% of HotPaw Basic's written reviews are positive against 100% of ShackPilot's.

HotPaw Basic ships an update every 5 months, ShackPilot weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | HotPaw Basic | ShackPilot |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [3.9 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hotpaw-basic/id295464266/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shackpilot-ham-radio-remote/id6760430670/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **7** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 52.4% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | **Paid** | Subscription |
| Size | 1 MB | 13 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.3** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [HotPaw Productions](https://appshunter.io/developer/285074853) | [Lukasz Skierkowski](https://appshunter.io/developer/1280847319) |

## What reviewers say

### HotPaw Basic

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hotpaw-basic/id295464266)

Experience retro computing by typing and running Basic programs on your iPhone or iPad. This app functions as a programmable calculator and can display simple line graphics, Morse code audio, and perform FFT analysis.

**Highlights:** Retro text-mode Basic interpreter, Programmable calculator functionality, Simple line graphics display, Morse Code audio output, FFT analysis, GPS location support, MQTT and BTLE communications

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### ShackPilot

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shackpilot-ham-radio-remote/id6760430670)

Control your Yaesu ham radio remotely from your iPhone or iPad. Stream live audio, manage CAT functions, and utilize built-in digital modes like FT8 and FT4. Operate your station from anywhere without extra hardware.

**Highlights:** Wireless remote head for Yaesu transceivers, Live audio streaming, Full CAT control, Real-time waterfall display, Built-in FT8 & FT4 digital modes, ADIF export and direct logbook upload

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ShackPilot Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| ShackPilot Lifetime | $49.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is HotPaw Basic free?

HotPaw Basic costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is ShackPilot free?

ShackPilot is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, HotPaw Basic or ShackPilot?

ShackPilot is rated higher. HotPaw Basic averages 3.9 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while ShackPilot averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do HotPaw Basic or ShackPilot have ads?

Neither HotPaw Basic nor ShackPilot shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, HotPaw Basic or ShackPilot?

HotPaw Basic ships an update every 5 months, and ShackPilot weekly. Most recently, HotPaw Basic was updated on October 4, 2026 and ShackPilot on October 6, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*