# EchoLink vs 3CQ

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | EchoLink | 3CQ |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (41 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/echolink/id350688562/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/3cq/id1558401543/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **41** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 61.7% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 months** | Every 6 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 20 MB | 46 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Synergenics, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/350688565) | [Christophe Vichery](https://appshunter.io/developer/593787209) |

## What reviewers say

### EchoLink

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/echolink/id350688562)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Wonderful System
- 🚀 Great for ham travelers
- 🚀 Amazing App
- 🚀 Great tool for Hams
- 🚀 Excellent System

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 EchoLink does not work
- 🐛 Can't find stations!
- 🐛 Not working on ios26 iPhone pro max
- 🐛 Mic gain
- 🐛 Connectivity problems lately

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- Bigger PTT please?
- Add more to app
- Password reset in app option
- Almost There!
- Bigger PTT please?


### 3CQ

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/3cq/id1558401543)

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.

**Highlights:** Social network for radio amateurs, MCQ study for licenses, Technical, general, extra license prep, Quick answer library, Skill improvement tools

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Contribution $1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Contribution $2 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Contribution $4 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Contribution $8 | $7.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is EchoLink free?

EchoLink is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is 3CQ free?

3CQ is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, EchoLink or 3CQ?

3CQ is rated higher. EchoLink averages 4.0 out of 5 from 41 ratings, while 3CQ averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do EchoLink or 3CQ have ads?

Neither EchoLink nor 3CQ shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, EchoLink or 3CQ?

EchoLink ships an update every 4 months, and 3CQ every 6 months. Most recently, EchoLink was updated on October 17, 2026 and 3CQ on October 8, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*