Comparison

iCluster vs Greyline FT8

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
Currently charting
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

Greyline FT8

This app provides a portable digital ham radio experience for field operations on iOS devices. It automates callsign lookups, displays real-time spot data, and offers automated calling or manual control for QSOs. Features include intelligent frequency selection, audio delay adjustment, and direct logging to QRZ.

Highlights
  • Field-ready digital ham radio
  • Automated callsign and DXCC lookups
  • Real-time PSK Reporter spot data
  • Automated CQ Gatherer and Hunter modes
  • Intelligent automatic frequency selection
  • Direct-to-QRZ logging and ADI export
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Greyline FT8 is a highly portable, capable amateur radio app designed specifically for field operation with an iOS device. I designed this app because I got very used to my full-stack FT8 solution: GridTracker, WSJT-X, PSK Reporter, WRL Desktop, several browser tabs, and more. But I didn't want the bulk and weight of a full Windows PC in the field. At the same time, while there are excellent and lightweight FT8 iOS solutions out there, they were lacking features I really wanted. Greyline is everything you need and nothing you don't. It automatically locates your grid square, performs callsign and calling station DXCC lookups (internet access required), and can even show you real-time spot data from PSK Reporter. Want to adjust your directional antenna? Now you've got the info you need to do it! Greyline also incorporates automated calling features. Gatherer mode calls CQ, responds to the first reply it gets, finishes the QSO and returns to calling CQ all without your input. On the other side of things, Hunter mode listens for CQ calls and pounces on them, finishing a QSO then returning to the live band to find the next. Or, take control of the conversation yourself with standard mode. That's the experience you're already used to from WSJT-X and other digital mode apps. Some other noteworthy features are: - Intelligent automatic free frequency selection - Dynamically adjusted audio delay for virtually drift-free message timing - PSK Reporter integrated Live Spots - Direct-to-QRZ, WRL and private Cloudlog logging and ADI export - Configurable waterfall settings - CQ addendums - CQ filtering for contesting and general courteous operation - Configurable retransmissions - Intelligent log recovery (didn't get that last 73 but want to log the contact anyway? Now you can!) - Log import and export - Antenna tuning - POTA Autospotting - One touch POTA activation and POTA.app-compatible ADIF export - Multiple POTA activation support - And so much more! Greyline uses audio VOX and not serial PTT. Most radios support this with simple cabling or an audio interface like a Digirig. For helpful tips on cabling and configuring popular radios, visit the Support URL below. Built by a ham, for hams, I'm very open to your feedback and hope Greyline can be your field companion. Want to share your own Field Notes (https://greylineft8.com/fieldnotes.html)? Email me at support@greylineft8.com!

Screenshots

iCluster4 screens
Greyline FT84 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Greyline FT8 at 4.8 against iCluster's 4.1. Greyline FT8 also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 months) and review sentiment (90% vs 72%). iCluster's advantage is iOS requirement (10.1 vs 26.5). On ratings volume, 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

iCluster costs $5.99 and Greyline FT8 $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Greyline FT8 holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 10 and 12 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 72% of iCluster's written reviews are positive against 90% of Greyline FT8's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iCluster ships an update every 2 months, Greyline FT8 every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
iCluster versus Greyline FT8: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriClusterGreyline FT8
Price$5.99$3.99 — better
Rating4.1 (10 ratings)4.8 (12 ratings) — better
Positive reviews71.9% of reviews90.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1012 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank#198#177 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS10.1 — better26.5
Further details — not scored
Size22 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMarcus RoskoschJONATHAN MARK SCHULMAN

Customer experience

iCluster

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

Greyline FT8

All ratings12 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive90.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

iCluster

No in-app purchases

None

Greyline FT8

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is iCluster free?
iCluster costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Greyline FT8 free?
Greyline FT8 costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, iCluster or Greyline FT8?
Greyline FT8 is rated higher. iCluster averages 4.1 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while Greyline FT8 averages 4.8 from 12 ratings.
Do iCluster or Greyline FT8 have ads?
Neither iCluster nor Greyline FT8 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iCluster or Greyline FT8?
iCluster ships an update every 2 months, and Greyline FT8 every 4 days. Most recently, iCluster was updated on October 13, 2026 and Greyline FT8 on October 3, 2026.
Which is more popular, iCluster or Greyline FT8?
iCluster currently peaks at #198 in the App Store charts, and Greyline FT8 at #177. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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