Comparison

PocketPacket vs Handi

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

Handi

This app serves as a central hub for amateur radio operators, enabling them to connect their transceivers to mobile devices. It facilitates radio programming, messaging, mapping, and packet-radio communications.

Highlights
  • Radio channel management
  • APRS messaging
  • Winlink email
  • Packet terminal
  • Interactive map
  • File exchange
Features
Read full description

HTCommander is a comprehensive companion for amateur radio operators using EchoLink or supported Bluetooth-enabled transceivers. Connect your radio to your iPhone or iPad and manage programming, messaging, mapping, and packet-radio communications from one application. KEY FEATURES - Configure, organize, import, and export radio channels - Send and receive APRS messages - Inspect packet details and select APRS routing paths - Request weather reports and use supported APRS services - Display APRS stations and position reports on an interactive map - Compose, send, and receive Winlink email with attachments - Communicate through the packet terminal - Operate a built-in bulletin board system - Capture and decode received packets - Manage APRS, Winlink, and terminal contacts - Use supported radio GPS information - Exchange files over compatible packet-radio links SUPPORTED RADIOS HTCommander supports selected models from BTECH, Radioddity, Vero, and Radtel, including the UV-Pro, UV-50Pro, GA-5WB, DB50-B Mini, VR-N75, VR-N76, VR-N7500, VR-N7600, and RT-660. An amateur radio license is required to transmit. Operators are responsible for following local regulations, band plans, and licensing requirements.

Screenshots

PocketPacket3 screens
Handi4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Handi at Free against PocketPacket's $4.99. Handi also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.6) and update cadence (every 2 days vs every 4 months). PocketPacket's advantage is chart position (#142 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On ratings volume, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Handi is free to download; PocketPacket costs $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Handi holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 13 and 5 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 51% of PocketPacket's written reviews are positive against 67% of Handi's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PocketPacket ships an update every 4 months, Handi every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
PocketPacket versus Handi: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPocketPacketHandi
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating3.6 (13 ratings)5.0 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews51.0% of reviews66.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings13 — better5
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
Best chart rank#142 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB62 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKoomasiYlian Saint-Hilaire

Customer experience

PocketPacket

All ratings13 ratings
Positive69.2%
Neutral7.7%
Negative23.1%
Written reviews96 reviews
Positive51.0%
Neutral11.5%
Negative37.5%

Handi

All ratings5 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

None

PocketPacket

No in-app purchases

None

Handi

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PocketPacket free?
PocketPacket costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Handi free?
Handi is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, PocketPacket or Handi?
Handi is rated higher. PocketPacket averages 3.6 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while Handi averages 5.0 from 5 ratings.
Do PocketPacket or Handi have ads?
Neither PocketPacket nor Handi shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PocketPacket or Handi?
PocketPacket ships an update every 4 months, and Handi every 2 days. Most recently, PocketPacket was updated on October 26, 2026 and Handi on October 24, 2026.

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