Comparison

HamLog vs SP2ALERT

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
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

SP2ALERT

Features
Read full description

SP2ALERT is an alert app for amateur radio operators that delivers real-time push notifications for new POTA (Parks on the Air) and SOTA (Summits on the Air) spots. ■ POTA / SOTA Spot Alerts Automatically detects new spots and sends push notifications — even when the app is in the background. ■ Three Alert Modes (foreground only) • CW Vibration — vibrates in Morse code pattern (adjustable WPM and amplitude) • CW Tone — plays Morse code through the speaker (300–1500 Hz pitch) • Voice — reads spot information aloud (phonetic alphabet supported) ■ Flexible Filtering • Filter by band and mode (all bands from 160m to 13cm supported) • Filter by POTA program (JP, K, VK, etc.) or SOTA association • Include/exclude specific callsigns, park references, or summit references • Save and switch between multiple named presets ■ Hunt / Chase Management • Import POTA Hunt and SOTA Chase history via CSV • Alert only for unworked parks and summits • Multi-location activations (same operator at multiple parks) are always alerted even if one park is already hunted ■ Notification Controls • Configurable polling interval • Alert time window (e.g. 7:00–22:59 only) • Re-alert interval • Alert expiry timer • Additional alert on frequency/mode change ■ English / Japanese Localization The UI automatically switches between English and Japanese based on your device language setting. 【iOS Limitations】 Background operation is limited to notification banners and sounds. CW tone, voice, and vibration alerts only work while the app is in the foreground. Background polling timing is controlled by iOS and may be delayed beyond the configured interval.

Screenshots

HamLog4 screens
SP2ALERT4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: SP2ALERT at Free against HamLog's $0.99. SP2ALERT also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs monthly). HamLog's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.0). On ads, in-app purchases and device support 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

SP2ALERT is free to download; HamLog costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HamLog ships an update monthly, SP2ALERT every 2 days. Both last shipped on October 12, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
HamLog versus SP2ALERT: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHamLogSP2ALERT
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating3.7 (59 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews76.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings59 — better—
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPignology, LLCJIRO UENO

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)

SP2ALERT

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

HamLog

No in-app purchases

None

SP2ALERT

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is HamLog free?
HamLog costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is SP2ALERT free?
SP2ALERT is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do HamLog or SP2ALERT have ads?
Neither HamLog nor SP2ALERT shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HamLog or SP2ALERT?
HamLog ships an update monthly, and SP2ALERT every 2 days. Most recently, HamLog was updated on October 12, 2026 and SP2ALERT on October 12, 2026.

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