EchoLink vs 3CQ
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Connect to EchoLink network
- Use on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch
- Validated user access
- Remote connectivity
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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.
3CQ
This app serves as a social network and study tool for aspiring or current radio amateurs. It offers multiple-choice questions to help users prepare for their technical, general, or extra amateur radio licenses. A library provides quick answers to improve skills.
- Social network for radio amateurs
- MCQ study for licenses
- Technical, general, extra license prep
- Quick answer library
- Skill improvement tools
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3CQ is a handy & easy social network app for future or current radio amateur. It will help you to study and get your technical, general or extra amateur radio license with some well done MCQ. You will find a quick answer in the library and could improve any of your skills through several tools. 73 everyone!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: 3CQ at 5.0 against EchoLink's 4.0. EchoLink's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ratings volume (41 vs 1). On price, 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
Both are free to download. 3CQ sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. EchoLink asks for nothing beyond the download.
3CQ holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: EchoLink has 41 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
EchoLink ships an update every 4 months, 3CQ every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | EchoLink | 3CQ |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.0 (41 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 61.7% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 41 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months — better | Every 6 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 20 MB | 46 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Synergenics, LLC | Christophe Vichery |
Customer experience
EchoLink
3CQ
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
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- 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?
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- 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
3CQ
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
EchoLink
No in-app purchases
3CQ
- Contribution $1$0.99
- Contribution $2$1.99
- Contribution $4$3.99
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- Contribution $8$7.99
