PocketPacket vs Packet Commander
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
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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
Packet Commander
This app provides a classic terminal experience for packet radio communication on mobile devices. It offers powerful terminal features, smart connection management, and real-time over-the-air traffic monitoring. It's designed for amateur radio operators to connect with nodes, BBS, and decode traffic.
- Full-screen terminal for packet nodes and BBS
- Classic color themes and adjustable layout
- YAPP protocol support for file transfers
- Location-aware digipeater routing
- Seamless iCloud sync
- Over-the-air traffic decoding
- Auto-discovery of TNCs
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Packet Commander brings a classic terminal experience for packet radio to your iPhone or iPad. Try it free. The download includes 5 full connection sessions so you can explore the features and confirm compatibility before purchasing. After that, a purchase is required to continue connecting. Note: An amateur radio license is required to operate on the air. Powerful Terminal • Full-screen terminal for interacting with packet nodes and BBS over amateur radio • Classic color themes inspired by iconic computers • Adjustable fonts and layout for readability and screen efficiency • YAPP protocol support for file transfers • Dictation-ready for composing messages hands-free • Smart filename selection — double tap to highlight and copy Smarter Packet Connections • Location-aware digipeater routing: automatically recalls the last-used path at each location • Seamless iCloud sync for nodes and digipeaters across all your devices • Compatible with popular packet node software including BPQ32, URONode, and others Over-the-Air Monitor Connect to your radio and decode over-the-air traffic in real time. AX.25 frames are decoded and presented in an easy-to-read format. • Filter traffic to display exactly what you’re looking for • Search by address or content • Export the log to a file for later analysis Works with the Gear You Love • Auto-discovery of Bluetooth and TCP TNCs, including Dire Wolf on DigiPi • Automatic frequency set/restore on supported radios • Built-in, high-performance 1200 baud AFSK software modem • Optimized for VHF/UHF packet at both 1200 and 9600 baud Compatible with the Following Radios and TNCs: Radios with Built-in TNCs (Auto-sets and restores frequency on those radios) · BTECH UV-PRO, UV-50PRO · VERO VR-N76, VR-N7600 · RADIODITY GA-5WB, DB50-B · Kenwood TH-D74*, TH-D75* · PicoAPRS V4 *Requires B.B. Link Bluetooth adapter Portable KISS TNCs · Mobilinkd TNC3, TNC4 · LiNK500 TNC · DigiPi · Dire Wolf Software TNC Audio Interfaces (Using built-in software modem) · Digirig Lite · Digirig VOX PTT Cable · AIOC (All-In-One Cable) Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Packet Commander at 100% against PocketPacket's 51%. Packet Commander also leads on price (Free vs $4.99) and rating (4.9 vs 3.6). PocketPacket's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and chart position (#184 vs unranked). On update cadence, ads 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
Packet Commander is free to download; PocketPacket costs $4.99 up front. Packet Commander sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per year. PocketPacket asks for nothing beyond the download.
Packet Commander holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 13 and 44 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 51% of PocketPacket's written reviews are positive against 100% of Packet Commander's.
PocketPacket ships an update every 4 months, Packet Commander every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | PocketPacket | Packet Commander |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 3.6 (13 ratings) | 4.9 (44 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 50.5% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 13 | 44 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #184 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 18.2 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 19 MB | 10 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Koomasi | Island Magic Co. |
Customer experience
PocketPacket
Packet Commander
In-app purchases
PocketPacket
No in-app purchases
Packet Commander
- Yearly Subscription$8.991 Year
- One-Time Purchase$24.99
Questions
Is PocketPacket free?
Is Packet Commander free?
Which has better reviews, PocketPacket or Packet Commander?
Do PocketPacket or Packet Commander have ads?
Which is updated more often, PocketPacket or Packet Commander?
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