Comparison

HamLog vs SOTA Goat

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

Head to head
About

HamLog

This application serves as a comprehensive logging and tool suite for amateur radio operators. It facilitates contact logging, rig control, and offers numerous utilities for field and mobile operations. Features include callsign resolution, data export/import, and various radio-related calculators and information resources.

Highlights
  • Contact logging and search
  • Rig control via Pigtail device
  • QRZ/HamQTH XML integration
  • ADIF/CSV export and import
  • Automatic callsign resolution
  • Cloud synchronization
  • QSO recording
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Now with rig control! See http://pignology.net/pigtail HamLog is an amateur radio logging and tools application. It is meant for use when operating portable from the field or mobile (drive safe!). It does a lot more than just logging, see the list below. HamLog supports iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. Features: * Contact Logging and search * Rig control via the Pigtail device from Pignology http://pignology.net/pigtail * Create A Log - Custom Log * QRZ XML Integration for QRZ Subscribers * HamQTH XML Integration * Export via email as ADIF, CSV, or eQSL.cc * Import ADIF * Automatic name/QTH resolution based on callsign (either QRZ XML, HamQTH (free), or Pignology DB (free)) * Independent callsign look up tool * QRZ XML Subscriber Support * CloudSynch: Synch your contacts to the web and other iOS/Mac devices. See http://hamlog.it for more information. * Voice Macros: record yourself and play to VOX * HamStack Control interface: see http://hamstack.com for more information. * QSO Recording * Great Circle Maps * Q signal list * IARU Prefixes List * DXCC Entities List * US Band Plan * International Band Plans * QRZ Look Up via Web * Dupe Finder * Latest DX Spots from DX Summit * ADIF Export, both full and time range * CSV Export * Grid Square tool using GPS * Manual Grid Square Calculator given lat/long * Bearing (and long path) calculation given two grid squares, * WWV Propagation report * Contest Calendar * DXpedition Calendar * Wavelength Calculator * UTC Clock * ITU Phonetic Alphabet * CW Helper: plays single character upon selection * Temperature Converter * Length Converter * RST Explained info * DX Cluster - real time telnet access * Grid to map - enter gridsquare and it will display it on a map * Solar Data from N0NBH (www.hamqsl.com/solar) * DTMF Tone Generator * Net Lists and notifications * Part 97 - Full Text * Field Day Logging * iTunes File Sharing - For data backup and ADIF import - Drop somelogfile.adi into the file sharing pane and press Tools -> Import ADIF. somelogfile.adi should be lowercase until I get an update to recognize uppercase filenames. * Landscape and Portrait on the iPad *** I try to implement just about every request I receive and fix just about every complaint I receive or see in the reviews. If you leave a complaint in a review please leave your callsign so I can get in touch with you to fix your problem, or email me directly. I cannot reply to reviews. Please NOTE: This application is not meant to replace a more formal method of logging such as a computer based logging application or the classic paper method. It is more for quick logging while portable or mobile. Personally, I transfer all contacts to paper after coming back from field QRP fun. Regarding IMPORTING: As of December 8, 2010, HamLog support importing ADIF files. Please visit http://n3wg.com/hamlog for an example of how to import. I will happily respond to feedback, entertain feature requests, and answer questions directly, please contact me at the email address listed on n3wg.com or QRZ. Field Day Logging Info: Sections logged include: Date/time,Mode, Band, Callsign, Class, Section, Operator, Comment Exporting: Exporting logs from the Field Day tool is via e-mail in the form of a CSV file that any spreadsheet program can open. Dup Detection: The app does the standard dup detection you would see in a PC/Mac based app. There is no inter-device dup detection. Dup detection between devices is an exercise left to the exported spreadsheet application of choice. iPad Specifics: Sections worked are shown vs sections not worked for each zone. NOTE: While I try my best to ensure this Field Day logger is fault tolerant, I can make no guarantees or warranties. Please test and become familiar with it before using it live during Field Day. 73, N3WG http://pignology.net

About

SOTA Goat

This app serves as a comprehensive assistant for the Summits On The Air amateur radio program. It offers an offline summit database, real-time spotting and alerts from SOTAwatch, and an integrated compass for navigation to activation zones. It's designed to help users plan and complete their radio activations effectively.

Highlights
  • Offline summit database
  • SOTAwatch spotting and alerts
  • Push notifications for activations
  • Integrated compass for activation zones
  • Summit tracking
  • Export summits to KML/GPX
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

SOTA Goat is the all-in-one summit database and spotting application for participants of the Summits On The Air amateur radio program. It was designed from the ground up as an invaluable tool for summit activators – as necessary as your transceiver and power supply! SOTA Goat provides all the tools to aid in planning and completing your activation. Mountain Goats and Shack Sloths alike will appreciate the comprehensive summit database and search features, as well as the ability to view and share summit activations and signal reports over SOTAwatch. This is a universal app that is available for all devices that support iOS 11+, including iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. OFFLINE SUMMIT DATABASE: • Every summit in the SOTA database is available offline: search, browse, and view a map • Download updates to the database to get the latest new associations • Star your favorite summits for easy access • Export summits to KML and GPX files for use in other applications or GPS devices SOTAWATCH3 SPOTS AND ALERTS: • View, add, and modify spots and alerts from SOTAwatch3 • Enable push notifications to be alerted of every new activation. Granular filtering ensures you only see the alerts you desire SUMMIT TRACKER: • Reach the summit with an integrated compass that lets you know when you're within the activation zone. With the help of SOTA Goat, you're on your way to become a Shack Sloth or a Mountain Goat in no time! Baaaaaah!

Screenshots

HamLog4 screens
SOTA Goat4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: SOTA Goat at 4.5 against HamLog's 3.7. HamLog's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 4 months) and price ($0.99 vs $4.99). On review sentiment, 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

HamLog costs $0.99 and SOTA Goat $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SOTA Goat holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 59 and 32 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 76% of HamLog's written reviews are positive against 80% of SOTA Goat's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HamLog ships an update monthly, SOTA Goat every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 8, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
HamLog versus SOTA Goat: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHamLogSOTA Goat
Price$0.99 — better$4.99
Rating3.7 (59 ratings)4.5 (32 ratings) — better
Positive reviews76.4% of reviews80.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings59 — better32
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
Best chart rank#198#188 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB22 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperPignology, LLCRockwell Schrock

Customer experience

HamLog

All ratings59 ratings
Positive59.3%
Neutral11.9%
Negative28.8%
Written reviews148 reviews
Positive76.4%
Neutral8.1%
Negative15.5%

SOTA Goat

All ratings32 ratings
Positive90.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative9.4%
Written reviews51 reviews
Positive80.4%
Neutral3.9%
Negative15.7%

Bugs and requests

HamLog

Reported bugs

16 issues
  • App crashes on iOS 17.1 with formatting issues
  • QRZ connection errors and login failures
  • Call sign lookup not functioning
  • Export functionality causing crashes
  • Blank black screen on startup
Show 11 more
  • Cloud sync failures
  • Custom template rendering issues in dark mode
  • Automatic time reset when editing log entries
  • Crash when deleting first log entry
  • Number row hidden by keyboard predictive text on iPad
  • Server dependency causing tool failures
  • ADIF export missing required Band field for POTA
  • Help page returning Error 404
  • HF Net List link outdated
  • Solar data and weather tools non-functional
  • Transport Security policy errors on older iOS versions

Requested features

20 requests
  • CABRILLO file export for contests
  • Band field inclusion in ADIF exports for POTA compatibility
  • Dark mode support for custom templates
  • Dupe check feature for contest logging
  • Ability to delete custom logs and entries
Show 15 more
  • Single-row log list view option
  • Larger notes field for data entry
  • Contest-specific features (SOTA/POTA summit designation tracking)
  • International callsign lookup support
  • WSJTX and JS8CALL sync capability
  • Landscape orientation support for all features
  • Favorite tools customization to reduce scrolling
  • Countries worked text list view
  • 1.2 GHz band inclusion in band plan
  • eQSL.cc access integration
  • Fahrenheit/Celsius converter
  • LightningMaps.org integration
  • Voice recognition for phonetic alphabet entry
  • Offline logging with paper-to-digital transfer capability
  • Date format options (dd/mm/yy for European users)

SOTA Goat

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

HamLog

No in-app purchases

None

SOTA Goat

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is HamLog free?
HamLog costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is SOTA Goat free?
SOTA Goat costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, HamLog or SOTA Goat?
SOTA Goat is rated higher. HamLog averages 3.7 out of 5 from 59 ratings, while SOTA Goat averages 4.5 from 32 ratings.
Do HamLog or SOTA Goat have ads?
Neither HamLog nor SOTA Goat shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HamLog or SOTA Goat?
HamLog ships an update monthly, and SOTA Goat every 4 months. Most recently, HamLog was updated on September 8, 2026 and SOTA Goat on September 24, 2026.
Which is more popular, HamLog or SOTA Goat?
HamLog currently peaks at #198 in the App Store charts, and SOTA Goat at #188. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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