Comparison

MorseDecoder vs Morse Elmer

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Read full description

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.

About

Morse Elmer

Learn Morse Code effectively with this app. It utilizes proven methods like the Koch Method and Farnsworth spacing to accelerate your learning. Track your progress with detailed graphs and train anytime to become proficient.

Highlights
  • Learn Morse Code
  • Koch Method training
  • Farnsworth spacing
  • Progress tracking
  • Graphical results
  • On-the-go training
Features
Read full description

Morse Elmer is an app to help you learn Morse Code. Morse Elmer uses two well established methods to help you learn: The Koch Method and Farnsworth spacing. As you train Morse Elmer keeps track of your results, graphing them so you can monitor your progress. With Morse Elmer on your iOS device you'll have the tools to train whenever you want and the more frequently you train the quicker you'll become proficient. Learn more at: http://morseelmer.blogspot.com/

Screenshots

MorseDecoder1 screens
Morse Elmer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Morse Elmer at 4.8 against MorseDecoder's 3.2. Morse Elmer also leads on price ($0.99 vs $9.99) and review sentiment (81% vs 55%). MorseDecoder's advantage is iOS requirement (12.3 vs 17.6). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

MorseDecoder costs $9.99 and Morse Elmer $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Morse Elmer holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 49 and 187 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 55% of MorseDecoder's written reviews are positive against 81% of Morse Elmer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MorseDecoder ships an update every 3 months, Morse Elmer every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
MorseDecoder versus Morse Elmer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMorseDecoderMorse Elmer
Price$9.99$0.99 — better
Rating3.2 (49 ratings)4.8 (187 ratings) — better
Positive reviews54.8% of reviews81.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings49187 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.3 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB17 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHotPaw ProductionsMorgan Jones

Customer experience

MorseDecoder

All ratings49 ratings
Positive51.0%
Neutral8.2%
Negative40.8%
Written reviews104 reviews
Positive54.8%
Neutral3.8%
Negative41.3%

Morse Elmer

All ratings187 ratings
Positive94.7%
Neutral2.1%
Negative3.2%
Written reviews85 reviews
Positive81.2%
Neutral5.9%
Negative12.9%

Bugs and requests

MorseDecoder

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Morse Elmer

Reported bugs

7 issues
  • Incorrect Morse code for some letters
  • Missing option to add letters (iOS 15+)
  • Text not displaying in settings dialog (iPad Air)
  • Drops last character in sequence reporting
  • Volume extremely low on headphone/Bluetooth
Show 2 more
  • App compatibility issues with current iOS versions
  • Support link missing from app

Requested features

13 requests
  • Higher speed support (beyond current limits)
  • Keyboard input mode for automatic scoring
  • Sending/keying practice capability
  • Extended session duration (30+ minutes)
  • Morse code reference chart in-app
Show 8 more
  • Variable temperature numbers in QSO mode
  • More diverse QTH locations
  • Standard iOS file picker integration
  • File deletion and organization options
  • Error-based scoring option
  • Practice timer reset functionality
  • Head copy practice mode
  • Custom word list creation

In-app purchases

None

MorseDecoder

No in-app purchases

None

Morse Elmer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is MorseDecoder free?
MorseDecoder costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Morse Elmer free?
Morse Elmer costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, MorseDecoder or Morse Elmer?
Morse Elmer is rated higher. MorseDecoder averages 3.2 out of 5 from 49 ratings, while Morse Elmer averages 4.8 from 187 ratings.
Do MorseDecoder or Morse Elmer have ads?
Neither MorseDecoder nor Morse Elmer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MorseDecoder or Morse Elmer?
MorseDecoder ships an update every 3 months, and Morse Elmer every 2 months. Most recently, MorseDecoder was updated on September 30, 2026 and Morse Elmer on September 23, 2026.

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