# HAM Test Prep Lite vs RST Decoder

The clearest difference is rating: RST Decoder at 5.0 against HAM Test Prep Lite's 4.4. RST Decoder also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 7 months) and monetization model (ad-supported vs free with in-app purchases). HAM Test Prep Lite's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (89% vs 67%). On price and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

RST Decoder holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: HAM Test Prep Lite has 46 ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 89% of HAM Test Prep Lite's written reviews are positive against 67% of RST Decoder's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

HAM Test Prep Lite ships an update every 7 months, RST Decoder every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | HAM Test Prep Lite | RST Decoder |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (46 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ham-test-prep-lite-general/id303413935/reviews) | **[5.0 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rst-decoder/id1519587362/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **46** | 7 |
| Positive reviews | **89.4% of reviews** | 66.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Size | 3 MB | 6 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.5** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Patrick J Maloney LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/297951499) | [koji kamogawa](https://appshunter.io/developer/1488210713) |

## What reviewers say

### HAM Test Prep Lite

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ham-test-prep-lite-general/id303413935)

Prepare for your Amateur Radio General license exam with practice questions and mock tests. Review FCC rule text and track your proficiency across question groups. This lite version includes a subset of the full question pool.

**Highlights:** General question pool practice, Practice exams, Proficiency tracking, Immediate feedback option, View FCC rule text, Zoomable figures, Dark mode support

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to learn and use
- 👍 Great for studying for exams
- 👍 Helpful for Technician and General licenses
- 👍 Mobile and convenient for on-the-go studying
- 👍 Provides confidence for tests

**What reviewers complain about**

- 👎 Free version is limited
- 👎 Only a subset of questions in free version
- 👎 Some questions lack necessary images (schematics)
- 👎 Not all test questions were in the study material
- 👎 App crashed iPod

**Reported bugs**

- App crashed iPod
- Some questions ask about schematic symbols but the necessary picture is not shown

**Requested features**

- Include schematic symbol images for relevant questions
- Consider a UK version


### RST Decoder

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rst-decoder/id1519587362)

This application decodes Morse code from your microphone, acting as a practice tool to verify your keying accuracy. It offers advanced features like BPF and FFT decoders with automatic frequency and gain control, allowing for fine-tuning of reception parameters.

**Highlights:** Microphone Morse code decoding, Morse practice and keying check, BPF and FFT decoder options, Auto Frequency Detector (AFD), Auto Gain Control (AGC), Real-time CW signal display, Input signal recording/playback

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is HAM Test Prep Lite free?

HAM Test Prep Lite is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is RST Decoder free?

RST Decoder is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, HAM Test Prep Lite or RST Decoder?

RST Decoder is rated higher. HAM Test Prep Lite averages 4.4 out of 5 from 46 ratings, while RST Decoder averages 5.0 from 7 ratings.

### Do HAM Test Prep Lite or RST Decoder have ads?

RST Decoder shows ads; HAM Test Prep Lite does not.

### Which is updated more often, HAM Test Prep Lite or RST Decoder?

HAM Test Prep Lite ships an update every 7 months, and RST Decoder every 2 months. Most recently, HAM Test Prep Lite was updated on September 30, 2026 and RST Decoder on September 27, 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.*