Comparison

PocketPacket vs SDR

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

Head to head
About

PocketPacket

This app serves as a comprehensive client for the Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS), enabling amateur radio operators to send and receive real-time data like position, status, and messages. It features a built-in TNC for direct radio communication and internet connectivity via the APRS-IS network.

Highlights
  • Full-featured APRS client
  • Built-in software TNC
  • 1200 baud AFSK modulation
  • APRS-IS internet connectivity
  • Map visualization of data
  • Object and message lists
  • Real-time weather reports
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

PocketPacket is a full-featured APRS client with a built-in TNC. The "Automatic Position Reporting System" is a packet communication protocol used by amateur radio operators (hams) around the world, to report position, status, station capabilities, weather or other information in real time. Packets can also be used for broadcasting announcements or one-to-one messaging. PocketPacket incorporates a software-based TNC, allowing you to directly capture and visualize, or encode and transmit 1200 baud packets (AFSK modulation) using a VHF radio transceiver. With PocketPacket you can also get and send packets over the Internet, by selecting one of the available Tier 2 servers of the global APRS-IS network. Incoming data is presented on a map, as most packets define some object, with a specific symbol and location. By selecting a symbol, you can view the latest information sent for the corresponding object, as well as the raw packets that produced it. All available objects are also shown in a list, which allows you to search for the ones you are looking for. Messages and bulletins are shown in a separate set of screens, structured like an e-mail client. With PocketPacket you can follow the status of the APRS network, submit your station's info, monitor moving objects, get real time weather reports directly from local stations and more. PocketPacket is ideal for field work or the ham shack. 73 de SV9OAN

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Read full description

Your Icom radio on your iPad: at home over Wi-Fi or from anywhere over the internet. Made by a ham, for hams, with personal support included. SDR-Control shows the spectrum scope and waterfall of your Icom radio with all its controls on the large iPad screen. No extra hardware or software needed. WORKS WITH ■ IC-705 (Wi-Fi) ■ IC-7610, IC-7760, IC-9700, IC-7300 MK2 and the IC-R8600 receiver (radio on your network by cable) The app connects over the network only. The older IC-7300 (without MK2) has no network connection and can't be used. OPERATE ■ Spectrum scope and waterfall with band plan, DX Cluster and FT8 spots ■ Two VFOs, filters, preamp, attenuator, NB, NR, notch, AGC and more ■ Compact floating panels: tuning, PTT, CW, memories, macros, Command Bar, DTMF, RIT / ∆TX, D-Star ■ Your iPad as microphone and speaker; the radio keeps playing in the background, also with the cover closed MODES ■ FT8-Improved with AutoAnswer and AutoCQ, plus the classic FT8 ■ JS8 keyboard chat ■ CW with decoder, keyer and CW keyboard ■ Speech: incoming voice transcribed and translated, your typed text sent as speech ■ SSTV, HF-Fax, APRS and WSPR FT8-Improved, JS8, Speech and WSPR need iPadOS 26. TOOLS ■ Logbook with ADIF import and export, shared via iCloud with SmartSDR, FT-Control, TS-Control and K4-Control, on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Vision Pro ■ DX Cluster, POTA, PSK Reporter, Call Lookup, Band Plan, Network Stats, Memories, Scanning, S.A.T. ■ Controllers: MIDI, CTR2, HaliKey, Pryme, Flic ■ 4O3A Genius devices and Ultra Beam antennas MADE BY A HAM Made by Marcus, DL8MRE, who has been developing apps for Apple devices since 2009 and uses this app every day in his own shack, where all supported radios are on the desk. Personal online support and a detailed manual are included. Updates with new modes and features are free: no subscription, no in-app purchases. WHAT YOU NEED ■ One of the radios above, connected to your network ■ An iPad with iPadOS 18 or later ■ For use over the internet: access to your home network from outside (see the manual) Manual: https://go-to.me/sdrcontrol-ios-manual More apps: https://ham-radio-apps.com

Screenshots

PocketPacket3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: PocketPacket at $4.99 against SDR's $49.99. PocketPacket also leads on chart position (#166 vs unranked) and device support (3 vs 1). SDR's advantage is rating (4.2 vs 3.6) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 4 months). On 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

PocketPacket costs $4.99 and SDR $49.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SDR holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SDR has 70 ratings behind it against 13, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 51% of PocketPacket's written reviews are positive against 78% of SDR's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PocketPacket ships an update every 4 months, SDR every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 26, 2026.

Scorecard9 real differences · 2 level
PocketPacket versus SDR: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPocketPacketSDR
Price$4.99 — better$49.99
Rating3.6 (13 ratings)4.2 (70 ratings) — better
Positive reviews51.0% of reviews78.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1370 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
Best chart rank#166 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB55 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKoomasiMarcus Roskosch

Customer experience

PocketPacket

All ratings13 ratings
Positive69.2%
Neutral7.7%
Negative23.1%
Written reviews96 reviews
Positive51.0%
Neutral11.5%
Negative37.5%

SDR

All ratings70 ratings
Positive78.6%
Neutral2.9%
Negative18.6%
Written reviews82 reviews
Positive78.0%
Neutral3.7%
Negative18.3%

In-app purchases

None

PocketPacket

No in-app purchases

None

SDR

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PocketPacket free?
PocketPacket costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is SDR free?
SDR costs $49.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, PocketPacket or SDR?
SDR is rated higher. PocketPacket averages 3.6 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while SDR averages 4.2 from 70 ratings.
Do PocketPacket or SDR have ads?
Neither PocketPacket nor SDR shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PocketPacket or SDR?
PocketPacket ships an update every 4 months, and SDR every 2 weeks. Most recently, PocketPacket was updated on October 26, 2026 and SDR on October 26, 2026.

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