EchoLink vs DX Toolbox
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.
DX Toolbox
This app provides real-time propagation forecasting and solar condition data for ham radio operators and shortwave listeners. It helps estimate HF propagation between any two locations, displays grayline maps, and offers detailed solar and geomagnetic readings.
- Propagation forecasting tools
- Grayline map
- Great circle path plotting
- Solar and geomagnetic readings
- Aurora prediction maps
- Ionosonde plot maps
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Are you a ham radio operator or shortwave listener, in need of up to date propagation information and solar conditions? DX Toolbox features several propagation forecasting tools, allowing you to quickly and easily estimate current HF (Shortwave) propagation conditions between any two locations in the world, and is ideal for the ham radio operator, shortwave listener, or other radio enthusiast. Radio propagation conditions can also be estimated between any two points on the Earth. Graphs of these conditions can be generated for a given frequency or time, and MUF/LUF graphs can also be displayed. A grayline map of the world is also available. Radio propagation between locations within the grayline region of the world is often greatly enhanced. DX Toolbox's grayline map makes it easy for you to determine where those locations are. Grayline propagation has been used by expert radio operators and DXers for years to catch elusive stations. A plot the great circle (both short and long) path between your location and another station is also displayed, as well as the beam heading and distance. The location of the currently transmitting NCDXF/IARU beacon can be displayed on the map as well. The propagation map displays the areas of the world where your signal can be heard (or a signal can be heard from), based on the frequency, transmitter power, and current solar flux, date, and time. Maps showing ionosonde plots of foF2, foEs, and hmF2 data from various locations around the world are available. The MUF and skip zone can be calculated based on foF2 and hmF2 values. Aurora prediction maps for the northern and southern hemisphere are available. DX Toolbox displays the following important solar and geomagnetic readings: Solar Flux A-Index K-Index Sun Spot Number X-Ray Flux levels X-Ray flares Solar Wind Earth's Magnetic Field Proton and Electron Flux levels Radio Blackout conditions Geomagnetic Storm conditions Solar Radiation Storm conditions Graphs of x-ray flux readings from the GOES satellites may also be displayed. The following radio propagation reports and forecasts are available: WWV Geophysical Alert 27 Day Space Outlook 45 Day AP Forecast Geomagnetic Data Daily Geomagnetic Data Daily Particle Data Daily Solar Data GEOALERT Daily Magnetometer Analysis Reports Hourly Magnetometer Analysis Reports Predicted Sunspot Numbers and Radio Flux Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity Solar and Geophysical Activity Summary Solar Region Summary Weekly Highlights and Forecasts Current Space Weather Indices Space Weather Event Reports Daily Space Weather Indices Summary of Space Weather Observations 3-day Space Weather Predictions SEC Space Weather Alerts In addition, 21 maps of current D Layer Absorption levels are available for display. Full documentation on how to use the app is available here: http://www.blackcatsystems.com/iphone/dx_toolbox_faq.html Get your copy of DX Toolbox now, and you’ll always be up to date on current radio propagation conditions.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: EchoLink at Free against DX Toolbox's $3.99. EchoLink also leads on update cadence (every 4 months vs every 9 months). DX Toolbox's advantage is rating (4.4 vs 4.0) and iOS requirement (6.0 vs 13.0). On review sentiment, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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
EchoLink is free to download; DX Toolbox costs $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
DX Toolbox holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 41 and 68 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 62% and 62% positive.
EchoLink ships an update every 4 months, DX Toolbox every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | EchoLink | DX Toolbox |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $3.99 |
| Rating | 4.0 (41 ratings) | 4.4 (68 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 61.7% of reviews | 61.8% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 41 | 68 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months — better | Every 9 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 6.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 20 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Synergenics, LLC | Black Cat Systems |
Customer experience
EchoLink
DX Toolbox
User reviews
EchoLink
From 41 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Wonderful System
- 🚀 Great for ham travelers
- 🚀 Amazing App
- 🚀 Great tool for Hams
- 🚀 Excellent System
Room to improve
- 🐛 EchoLink does not work
- 🐛 Can't find stations!
- 🐛 Not working on ios26 iPhone pro max
- 🐛 Mic gain
- 🐛 Connectivity problems lately
DX Toolbox
From 68 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Useful for learning
- 👍 Handy for DXing
- 👍 Comprehensive propagation data
- 👍 Good for planning contacts
- 👍 Accurate propagation map
Room to improve
- 🐛 Many broken links
- 🐛 Missing functionality
- 🐛 Slow data download
- 🐛 Small, hard-to-see graphs/pictures
- 🐛 Uninformative link labels
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
DX Toolbox
Reported bugs
18 issues- Missing calculations
- No images where they should be
- Dead links
- Missing information behind menus
- Half of info links don't download
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- Some downloaded data pages display only half
- Some graphs' X and Y axis are not labeled
- None of the maps work
- Solar images no longer work
- Graphs do not show values in the x-axis
- App crashes repeatedly
- Doesn't all work with iOS 15.1
- Propagation for Time calculation crashes the app
- Global maps show no change and remain black
- D layer maps show 0 MHz maximum frequency
- App returns to home screen repeatedly
- Setup menu requires manual lat/long entry
- Buttons under gray line map have unclear purpose
Requested features
11 requests- Add tips and definitions for parameters
- Implement dark mode
- Allow location entry by grid square
- More informative link labels
- Provide more detailed tutorial
Show 6 moreShow fewer
- Add option to display kilometers or miles
- Develop a Windows App
- Add VOAAREA functionality
- Use call sign prefixes instead of lat/long
- Improve user interface
- Better integration into iOS environment
In-app purchases
EchoLink
No in-app purchases
DX Toolbox
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is EchoLink free?
Is DX Toolbox free?
Which has better reviews, EchoLink or DX Toolbox?
Do EchoLink or DX Toolbox have ads?
Which is updated more often, EchoLink or DX Toolbox?
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