MorseDecoder vs SDR
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
MorseDecoder
This app decodes Morse code sounds directly from your device's microphone or headset input. It offers both automatic and manual decoding modes with adjustable parameters for optimal performance in various conditions.
- Morse code sound to text translation
- Automatic and manual decoding modes
- Adjustable audio filter frequency
- Configurable WPM speed
- Background noise threshold adjustment
- Built-in spectrogram
- Optional narrow-band DSP audio filter
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The HotPaw Morse Code Decoder translates Morse Code sound into text. Just use the microphone or headset input on your iPhone or iPad for the audio signal input, and watch decoded text appear. The Morse Code Decoder includes both an automatic decoding mode, plus manual controls to allow the decoding of weaker signals in noise and QRM. Manually adjustable parameters include the frequency of the audio filter, the WPM dot/dash speed used for detecting characters, the threshold level of background noise, and whether Farnsworth timing is to be used for detecting spaces between individual characters. The Morse Code Decoder includes a built-in spectrogram to help determine the audio frequency of the Morse Code tones. Use the optional narrow-band DSP audio filter to help filter out background noise. The audio filter works for tone frequencies from 300 to 2400 Hz. Please do not try to decode tones outside this range. The Morse code WPM (words per minute) detection speed is automatically adaptive from about 8 to 40 WPM, and can be locked to the current estimated WPM dot speed. You can also manually set the WPM code speed if the automatic speed detection guesses incorrectly. A QRQ High Speed WPM mode setting allows decoding much higher WPM speeds in the range of 30 to 80 WPM. Please aim your iPhone microphone at the Morse Code sound source so that the iPhone's noise cancelling microphone doesn't cancel it out. You can see if sound is getting to the iPhone by seeing a peak in the spectrum display. Please use the manual settings if automatic decoding does not adjust to the frequency, WPM. or background noise threshold level properly. Decoding will not work if the audio filter or WPM are set incorrectly, or there is a lot of background noise or room echoes above the threshold setting. Please see the help file on the HotPaw website for hints as to how to solve decoding issues.
SDR
Control compatible Icom transceivers remotely or locally from your iPad. Offers full operation, dual VFO, a logbook, and integrated digital modes like FT8/FT4, SSTV, and CW decoding.
- Remote transceiver operation
- Dual VFO and DualWatch
- Integrated logbook with ADIF support
- FT8/FT4, SSTV, and CW decoder tools
- DX-Cluster integration
- Call sign lookup and map display
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Software Defined Radio Client for Icom Transceivers and your iPad SDR-Control is a full featured iPad 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 to any new Silicon M or older CPUs ■ 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 ■ Dual VFO support (single Waterfall) ■ DualWatch support (Audio from both VFOs at the same time) ■ 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 (NEW) ■ Integrated APRS Tool (NEW) ■ Integrated CW Keyer ■ DX-Cluster integration ■ Spots (from FT8, DX-Cluster) will be displayed in Waterfall ■ Band limits and Band-Modes will be displayed in Waterfall ■ Call sign lookup integrated ■ Displays Calls on Map with heading and distance information ■ MIDI Controller support ■ Keyboard shortcuts ■ And much more... WHAT YOU NEED: - An Icom IC-705, IC-7610, IC-9700, IC-7760 or IC-7300 MK2 Transceiver or IC-R8600 Receiver - The Transceiver needs to be connected to your Network (WiFi or LAN) - No USB cable needed or supported - An iPad that runs at least iOS 17 Find out more here: https://ham-radio-apps.com Read the Manual: http://go-to.me/sdrcontrol-ios-manual
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: MorseDecoder at $9.99 against SDR's $49.99. MorseDecoder also leads on chart position (#187 vs unranked) and device support (3 vs 1). SDR's advantage is rating (4.2 vs 3.2) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 3 months). 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
MorseDecoder costs $9.99 and SDR $49.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
SDR holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 49 and 67 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 55% of MorseDecoder's written reviews are positive against 80% of SDR's.
MorseDecoder ships an update every 3 months, SDR every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 14, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | MorseDecoder | SDR |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 — better | $49.99 |
| Rating | 3.2 (49 ratings) | 4.2 (67 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 54.8% of reviews | 80.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 49 | 67 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #187 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 12.3 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1 MB | 47 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | HotPaw Productions | Marcus Roskosch |
Customer experience
MorseDecoder
SDR
In-app purchases
MorseDecoder
No in-app purchases
SDR
No in-app purchases









