# EchoLink vs SAS Survival Guide

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: EchoLink at none against SAS Survival Guide's 2. EchoLink also leads on update cadence (every 4 months vs every 17 months) and rating (3.9 vs 3.6). SAS Survival Guide's advantage is review sentiment (78% vs 62%) and ratings volume (177 vs 44). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SAS Survival Guide sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. EchoLink asks for nothing beyond the download.

EchoLink holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 44 and 177 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 62% of EchoLink's written reviews are positive against 78% of SAS Survival Guide's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

EchoLink ships an update every 4 months, SAS Survival Guide every 17 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and November 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | EchoLink | SAS Survival Guide |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.9 (44 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/echolink/id350688562/reviews)** | [3.6 (177 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sas-survival-guide-lite/id363710835/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 44 | **177** |
| Positive reviews | 61.5% of reviews | **78.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 months** | Every 17 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 20 MB | 110 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Synergenics, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/350688565) | [Trellisys.net](https://appshunter.io/developer/327320942) |

## 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?


### SAS Survival Guide

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sas-survival-guide-lite/id363710835)

This app offers essential wilderness survival information, including fire building, water sourcing, and navigation techniques. It features photo galleries, instructional videos, and a quiz to test your knowledge. Prepare for outdoor adventures with this entry-level survival guide.

**Highlights:** Basic survival information, Fire building, Finding water, Navigation by stars, Survival kit checklist, Instructional videos

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Urban SAS | $3.99 | one-time |
| SAS Survival Guide | $5.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Helpful survival information
- 🔍 Detailed checklists and quizzes
- 🗺️ Useful for outdoor activities
- 💡 Portable survival guide

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and freezes
- 🔒 Restoration of previous purchases not working
- 🔍 Limited content in free version
- 🔋 Compatibility issues with newer devices

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to access full content beyond first few paragraphs
- Scrolling not working in certain sections
- Videos not playing or getting stuck
- Inconsistent app behavior across devices

**Requested features**

- More detailed survival content
- Video tutorials and demonstrations
- Offline access to full content
- Ability to save progress and notes


## Frequently asked questions

### Is EchoLink free?

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

### Is SAS Survival Guide free?

SAS Survival Guide is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, EchoLink or SAS Survival Guide?

EchoLink is rated higher. EchoLink averages 3.9 out of 5 from 44 ratings, while SAS Survival Guide averages 3.6 from 177 ratings.

### Do EchoLink or SAS Survival Guide have ads?

Neither EchoLink nor SAS Survival Guide shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, EchoLink or SAS Survival Guide?

EchoLink ships an update every 4 months, and SAS Survival Guide every 17 months. Most recently, EchoLink was updated on October 23, 2026 and SAS Survival Guide on November 1, 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.*