PocketPacket vs Vantij
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
Vantij
Visualize nearby public safety infrastructure like traffic cameras and environmental sensors on an interactive radar map. Selectable radii allow you to see fixed observation systems within your chosen range. An Apple Watch companion app offers widget support.
- Real-time GPS positioning
- Radar-style infrastructure visualization
- Selectable radius display (1-10 miles)
- Interactive map with device markers
- Apple Watch companion app with widgets
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App displays nearby public safety infrastructure such as traffic cameras, roadway monitoring devices, environmental acoustic sensors, and other publicly placed observation systems. These locations are shown on an interactive radar-style interface that visualizes nearby fixed public infrastructure within a selected radius. Features: - Real-time GPS positioning with status indicator - Radar-style visualization showing nearby fixed infrastructure - Selectable 1, 3, 5, or 10-mile radius for map display - Interactive map view with device markers - Apple Watch companion app with widget support Subscription Required: Full access requires a Vantij subscription. Start with a 1-day free trial, then $9.99/year (or your regional equivalent). Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. This app uses your location to provide navigation or mapping information. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.gridbase.net/pages/privacy-policy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Vantij at Free against PocketPacket's $4.99. Vantij also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.6) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 4 months). PocketPacket's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and chart position (#184 vs unranked). On review sentiment, 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
Vantij is free to download; PocketPacket costs $4.99 up front. Vantij sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per year. PocketPacket asks for nothing beyond the download.
Vantij 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 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 51% and 50% positive.
PocketPacket ships an update every 4 months, Vantij every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | PocketPacket | Vantij |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 3.6 (13 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 50.5% of reviews — better | 50.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 13 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | #184 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 16.2 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 19 MB | 24 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Koomasi | Jacob Knight |
Customer experience
PocketPacket
Vantij
In-app purchases
PocketPacket
No in-app purchases
Vantij
- yearly$4.991 Year









