PocketPacket vs iFTx
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
Read full descriptionHide 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
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.
- FT8 and FT4 digital modes
- Portable digital communication
- Global operator connections
- User-friendly interface
- Integrated QSO logging
Read full descriptionHide 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
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: iFTx at 4.2 against PocketPacket's 3.6. iFTx also leads on review sentiment (72% vs 51%) and price ($1.99 vs $4.99). PocketPacket's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). 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
PocketPacket costs $4.99 and iFTx $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
iFTx holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: iFTx 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 72% of iFTx's.
PocketPacket ships an update every 4 months, iFTx every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | PocketPacket | iFTx |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 | $1.99 — better |
| Rating | 3.6 (13 ratings) | 4.2 (70 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 51.0% of reviews | 71.8% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 13 | 70 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months — better | Every 6 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | #154 | #134 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 19 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Koomasi | Christoph Nadig |
Customer experience
PocketPacket
iFTx
In-app purchases
PocketPacket
No in-app purchases
iFTx
No in-app purchases
