Comparison

PocketPacket vs Max Calc

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

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.

Highlights
  • Standard and Scientific Calculator
  • Developer Calculator (hex, binary)
  • Accounting Calculator
  • 130+ Unit Converter
  • Body and Date/Time Calculator
  • History tracking
  • Customizable result formatting
Features
Read 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

PocketPacket3 screens
Max Calc4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
PocketPacket versus Max Calc: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPocketPacketMax Calc
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating3.6 (13 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.5% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings13 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFreeFree
Best chart rank#184 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKoomasiAnatolii Mazkun

Customer experience

PocketPacket

All ratings13 ratings
Positive69.2%
Neutral7.7%
Negative23.1%
Written reviews95 reviews
Positive50.5%
Neutral11.6%
Negative37.9%

Max Calc

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

PocketPacket

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Max Calc

One-time2
  • 5 days Free Using All PremiumFree
  • Premium features$4.99

Questions

Is PocketPacket free?
PocketPacket costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Max Calc free?
Max Calc is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PocketPacket or Max Calc?
Max Calc is rated higher. PocketPacket averages 3.6 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while Max Calc averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do PocketPacket or Max Calc have ads?
Neither PocketPacket nor Max Calc shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PocketPacket or Max Calc?
PocketPacket ships an update every 4 months, and Max Calc every 9 days. Most recently, PocketPacket was updated on September 18, 2026 and Max Calc on June 4, 2026.

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