# iCluster vs FT8 Decoder

The clearest difference is update cadence: iCluster at every 2 months against FT8 Decoder's every 18 months. iCluster also leads on review sentiment (72% vs 50%) and iOS requirement (10.1 vs 15.4). FT8 Decoder's advantage is price ($1.99 vs $5.99) and rating (4.3 vs 4.1). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

iCluster costs $5.99 and FT8 Decoder $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

FT8 Decoder holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 10 and 8 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 72% of iCluster's written reviews are positive against 50% of FT8 Decoder's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

iCluster ships an update every 2 months, FT8 Decoder every 18 months. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | iCluster | FT8 Decoder |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $5.99 | **$1.99** |
| Rating | [4.1 (10 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/icluster-dx-cluster-database/id334053435/reviews) | **[4.3 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ft8-decoder/id1592847401/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **10** | 8 |
| Positive reviews | **71.9% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 18 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 22 MB | 1 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.1** | 15.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Marcus Roskosch](https://appshunter.io/developer/334053438) | [HotPaw Productions](https://appshunter.io/developer/285074853) |

## What reviewers say

### iCluster

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/icluster-dx-cluster-database/id334053435)

Access and analyze real-time amateur radio frequency data from the international DX-Cluster database. Filter information by frequency, mode, or location, and automatically decode call signs to identify operator countries. Ideal for radio enthusiasts and shortwave listeners.

**Highlights:** Real-time DX-Cluster database, Multiple pre-defined and custom server options, Advanced filtering by frequency, mode, call prefix, and zones, Automatic call sign decoding, Map display of DX spots with distance and bearing, QRZ.com and HamQTH lookups, iCloud synchronization

**In-app purchases:** none


### FT8 Decoder

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ft8-decoder/id1592847401)

This application decodes FT8 digital signals from amateur radio bands. It can process audio from external sources or directly from an SSB radio or SDR. The app also generates FT8 modulated audio for experimentation.

**Highlights:** Decodes FT8 8FSK modulated signals, Processes external audio or SDR sound, Supports standard callsigns and 13-character messages, Generates FT8 message audio, Experiment with sending and receiving FT8 audio

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is iCluster free?

iCluster costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is FT8 Decoder free?

FT8 Decoder costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, iCluster or FT8 Decoder?

FT8 Decoder is rated higher. iCluster averages 4.1 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while FT8 Decoder averages 4.3 from 8 ratings.

### Do iCluster or FT8 Decoder have ads?

Neither iCluster nor FT8 Decoder shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, iCluster or FT8 Decoder?

iCluster ships an update every 2 months, and FT8 Decoder every 18 months. Most recently, iCluster was updated on September 27, 2026 and FT8 Decoder on September 21, 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.*