Comparison

EchoLink vs DRM+ SDR

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

EchoLink

Connect to the EchoLink network using your iOS device. This application allows validated Amateur Radio operators to access the system from virtually anywhere. Registration with a valid Amateur Radio callsign is required.

Highlights
  • Connect to EchoLink network
  • Use on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch
  • Validated user access
  • Remote connectivity
Features
Read full description

Please note: This app is for licensed Amateur Radio operators only. See www.echolink.org for more information. EchoLink for iOS provides access to the EchoLink network for validated EchoLink users. You can use this app to connect to the EchoLink system from almost anywhere, using an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. If you are not already a validated EchoLink user, you will be required to register (using your Amateur Radio callsign and a password of your choice) the first time you run the app. Please see the iPhone FAQ at www.echolink.org. Please direct any bug reports or feature suggestions to the Web site at http://www.echolink.org/support.htm, since developers do not read app reviews. If you are interested in becoming a licensed Amateur Radio operator, see www.arrl.org for more information. EchoLink is a registered U.S. trademark of Synergenics, LLC.

About

DRM+ SDR

Features
Read full description

Decodes DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale) signals coming in through the external microphone input (LINE-IN) or DCP file input. (We need to supply DRM signal to microphone input.) The DRM+ SDR app is for DRM30 decoding with HE-AAC, OPUS and xHE-AAC. The paid DRM+ SDR app decodes sound, metadata, slideshow, web browsers. This app does not support decoding Journaline data in DRM signals. The DRM+ app requires a RC high pass filter audio line as well as a RF front-end module with antenna, tuner, modulator, IF mixer, AF amplifier. If a call is received while the app is running, please remove the audio line connected to the external microphone jack.

Screenshots

EchoLink3 screens
DRM+ SDR4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: EchoLink at Free against DRM+ SDR's $4.99. DRM+ SDR's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 4 months). On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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

EchoLink is free to download; DRM+ SDR costs $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

EchoLink ships an update every 4 months, DRM+ SDR every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
EchoLink versus DRM+ SDR: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEchoLinkDRM+ SDR
PriceFree — better$4.99
Rating4.0 (41 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews61.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings41 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS13.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSynergenics, LLCAlgorKorea Co., Ltd.

Bugs and requests

EchoLink

Reported bugs

13 issues
  • Latest version (2.19) could use some improvement
  • No way to reset password
  • Doesn't seem to be working on my phone, I enter call sign, password, and email. I click on login and nothing happens
  • Just updated EchoLink to find that it's now stuttering all the time
  • After the upgrade there are connection issues
Show 8 more
  • No support for passwords longer than 14 characters
  • The app won't allow me back in to validate my information
  • Doesn't work on iphone
  • Unable to Use; Password Too Long
  • Cannot connect to local reapeater
  • Can't close app
  • Latest update issues
  • Cannot connect

Requested features

13 requests
  • Bigger PTT please?
  • Add more to app
  • Password reset in app option
  • Almost There!
  • Bigger PTT please?
Show 8 more
  • Searching for call sign s
  • Not able to connect with 14.4 iOS upgrade
  • Mac version
  • Dark Mode Wonky
  • Missing Nodes
  • Echolink multitasking
  • Needs a help or tutorial
  • Needs full sysop node server capabilities

DRM+ SDR

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

EchoLink

No in-app purchases

None

DRM+ SDR

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is EchoLink free?
EchoLink is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is DRM+ SDR free?
DRM+ SDR costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do EchoLink or DRM+ SDR have ads?
Neither EchoLink nor DRM+ SDR shows ads.
Which is updated more often, EchoLink or DRM+ SDR?
EchoLink ships an update every 4 months, and DRM+ SDR every 2 months. Most recently, EchoLink was updated on October 17, 2026 and DRM+ SDR on October 8, 2026.

Other comparisons