Comparison

iCluster vs iFTx

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

Head to head
About

iCluster

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
Read full description

THE ORIGINAL DX-CLUSTER APP iCluster is an iPhone and iPad App for HAMs, SWLs (Short wave radio listeners) or for everybody who want’s to know, what’s going on on the amateur radio frequencies. This App is connecting the so called international DX-Cluster database in realtime. The results are analyzed and displayed in an easy to read overview. The content can be filtered by frequency (e.g. 80m, 40m etc.) or mode (CW = Morse, Beacon or digital modes), Call Prefix, ITU/CQ Zone, Country and many more. Calls (the callsign of the operators) will be decoded automatically by the App. This allows even inexperienced users to know the countries of the operators. iCluster is an ideal tool for amateur radio operators for field days or contests. But also unlicensed users can use iCluster to find out the frequencies for their shortwave scanner or short wave radio receiver. MAIN FEATURES: ■ Real time DX-Cluster database ■ Several pre-defined Cluster Servers ■ Easy to add your own Server (e.g. CW-Skimmer) ■ Several Filter and Filter combinations ■ Several Alarm settings ■ QRZ.com (Database!) lookup ■ QRZ.com website lookup ■ HamQTH lookup ■ Display whole cluster on a Map (Globe) ■ Display single Spot on a Map (Globe) ■ Shows distance and bearing from own location ■ iCloud Synchronization ■ UTC Clock ■ No HAM license or registering required Take a look to the manual to find out more: http://go-to.me/icluster-manual This App exists since the App Store Exists as this was my first App. It has been continuously improved and re-written several times and is now available as Version 12, written in Swift 5. It's interesting to see how many other bad copies of my App are available on the App Store. If there is another DX-Cluster App, offering features my App is missing, just let me know. vy 73, Marcus, DL8MRE

About

iFTx

This app enables seamless communication using FT8 and FT4 digital modes directly from your iOS device. Enjoy portable digital connections, effortless operation with a user-friendly interface, and reliable performance for global contact.

Highlights
  • FT8 and FT4 digital modes
  • Portable digital communication
  • Global operator connections
  • User-friendly interface
  • Integrated QSO logging
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Introducing iFTx: The Essential iOS App for FT8 and FT4 Digital Modes! - Seamlessly Engage: iFTx brings FT8 and FT4 digital modes to your iOS device, enabling convenient and portable digital communication. - Anytime, Anywhere: Enjoy the flexibility to connect with operators globally from the comfort of your iOS device. - Effortless Operation: Navigate the user-friendly interface for quick setup and real-time messaging. - Reliable Performance: Experience clear signals and adapt to changing propagation conditions with ease. - Log Your Success: Keep track of your contacts effortlessly with integrated QSO logging.

Screenshots

iCluster4 screens
iFTx4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: iFTx at $1.99 against iCluster's $5.99. iFTx also leads on chart position (#116 vs unranked) and ratings volume (70 vs 10). iCluster's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 6 months) and iOS requirement (10.1 vs 15.0). On rating, review sentiment, 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

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.1 for iCluster against 4.2 for iFTx. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: iFTx has 70 ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 72% and 72% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iCluster ships an update every 2 months, iFTx every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
iCluster versus iFTx: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriClusteriFTx
Price$5.99$1.99 — better
Rating4.1 (10 ratings)4.2 (70 ratings) — better
Positive reviews71.9% of reviews — better71.8% of reviews
Number of ratings1070 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 6 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
Best chart rank—#116 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS10.1 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size22 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMarcus RoskoschChristoph Nadig

Customer experience

iCluster

All ratings10 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews57 reviews
Positive71.9%
Neutral10.5%
Negative17.5%

iFTx

All ratings70 ratings
Positive75.7%
Neutral18.6%
Negative5.7%
Written reviews85 reviews
Positive71.8%
Neutral18.8%
Negative9.4%

In-app purchases

None

iCluster

No in-app purchases

None

iFTx

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is iCluster free?
iCluster costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is iFTx free?
iFTx costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, iCluster or iFTx?
iFTx is rated higher. iCluster averages 4.1 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while iFTx averages 4.2 from 70 ratings.
Do iCluster or iFTx have ads?
Neither iCluster nor iFTx shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iCluster or iFTx?
iCluster ships an update every 2 months, and iFTx every 6 months. Most recently, iCluster was updated on September 27, 2026 and iFTx on September 29, 2026.

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