PocketPacket vs Max Calc
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
Max Calc
This app offers a versatile calculation suite, combining standard, scientific, developer, and accounting functions. It also includes a unit converter and tools for health and date calculations, all within a user-friendly interface.
- Standard and Scientific Calculator
- Developer Calculator (hex, binary)
- Accounting Calculator
- 130+ Unit Converter
- Body and Date/Time Calculator
- History tracking
- Customizable result formatting
Read full descriptionHide full description
Max Calc: Your All-in-One Calculator App Max Calc is more than just a calculator; it's a comprehensive toolset designed to simplify your calculations across various domains. With its six-in-one functionality, you can effortlessly handle everything from basic arithmetic to complex scientific computations, developer-specific tasks, financial calculations, unit conversions, and even personal health metrics. Key features include: * Standard and Scientific Calculator: Perform basic and advanced calculations with ease. * Developer Calculator: Work with hexadecimal, binary, and 7-64 bit numbers, along with integer/real number CPU representation and signed/unsigned arithmetic. * Accounting Calculator: Tackle financial calculations with dedicated functions. * 130+ Unit Converter: Convert between various units of measurement effortlessly. * Body and Date/Time Calculator: Calculate BMI, age, and more. Max Calc is designed with simplicity in mind, providing a user-friendly interface without compromising on functionality. Enjoy features like memory storage, history tracking, customizable result formatting, and more.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Max Calc at 100% against PocketPacket's 51%. Max Calc also leads on price (Free vs $4.99) and rating (5.0 vs 3.6). PocketPacket's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ratings volume (13 vs 1). On ads, monetization model and device support 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
Max Calc is free to download; PocketPacket costs $4.99 up front. Max Calc sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. PocketPacket asks for nothing beyond the download.
Max Calc holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PocketPacket has 13 ratings behind it against 1, 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 100% of Max Calc's.
PocketPacket ships an update every 4 months, Max Calc every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and June 4, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | PocketPacket | Max Calc |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 3.6 (13 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 50.5% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 13 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 9 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | #184 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 19 MB | 8 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Koomasi | Anatolii Mazkun |
Customer experience
PocketPacket
Max Calc
In-app purchases
PocketPacket
No in-app purchases
Max Calc
- 5 days Free Using All PremiumFree
- Premium features$4.99
Questions
Is PocketPacket free?
Is Max Calc free?
Which has better reviews, PocketPacket or Max Calc?
Do PocketPacket or Max Calc have ads?
Which is updated more often, PocketPacket or Max Calc?
Other comparisons















