Comparison

EchoLink vs American Bee Journal

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

American Bee Journal

This app provides comprehensive beekeeping information for hobbyists and commercial keepers. It features how-to articles, reader Q&A, market outlooks, and event listings. Access the digital version online or offline.

Highlights
  • How-to articles for all beekeeping levels
  • Reader Q&A section
  • Honey market outlook
  • Beekeeping event listings
  • Nationwide beekeeping news
  • Offline access to issues
Features
Read full description

The American Bee Journal is dedicated to providing information about Beekeeping to everyone from the individual who keep bees for a hobby to the commercial beekeeper with thousands of colonies. We are the oldest continuous English language Beekeeping Journal in print. We have how to articles for all levels of beekeepers. Our Classroom section answers questions submitted by our readers. We list the honey market outlook for the nation. We have an events section that list beekeeping events for those who wish to attend seminars on beekeeping. We also provide up to date information on the state of beekeeping nationwide. The digital version is the same as the printed version. You will be able to read the magazine when connected to the internet or download the issue to your mobile device to take it with you for access anytime. You may purchase a paid subscription for 3 issues for $3.99 to be delivered directly to your mobile device. We have an automatic renewal feature that will automatically charge your credit card for another subscription unless you change your subscription preferences in your account setting so you won’t miss an issue. Many of our printed subscribers have years of the journal in their library and take great pride in their collection of The American Bee Journal.

Screenshots

EchoLink3 screens
American Bee Journal4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: EchoLink at 3.9 against American Bee Journal's 1.3. EchoLink also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and review sentiment (62% vs 41%). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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

Both are free to download. American Bee Journal sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $3.99 per 3 months. EchoLink asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

EchoLink holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 1.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 44 and 26 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 62% of EchoLink's written reviews are positive against 41% of American Bee Journal's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

EchoLink ships an update every 4 months, American Bee Journal every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
EchoLink versus American Bee Journal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEchoLinkAmerican Bee Journal
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (44 ratings) — better1.3 (26 ratings)
Positive reviews61.5% of reviews — better40.9% of reviews
Number of ratings44 — better26
Update frequencyEvery 4 months — betterEvery 6 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.012.2 — better
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB66 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSynergenics, LLCDadant & Sons Inc

Customer experience

EchoLink

All ratings41 ratings
Positive68.3%
Neutral12.2%
Negative19.5%
Written reviews382 reviews
Positive61.5%
Neutral12.0%
Negative26.4%

American Bee Journal

All ratings26 ratings
Positive7.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative92.3%
Written reviews44 reviews
Positive40.9%
Neutral6.8%
Negative52.3%

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

American Bee Journal

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

EchoLink

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

American Bee Journal

Subscriptions1
  • American Bee Journal$3.993 Months

Questions

Is EchoLink free?
EchoLink is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is American Bee Journal free?
American Bee Journal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, EchoLink or American Bee Journal?
EchoLink is rated higher. EchoLink averages 3.9 out of 5 from 44 ratings, while American Bee Journal averages 1.3 from 26 ratings.
Do EchoLink or American Bee Journal have ads?
Neither EchoLink nor American Bee Journal shows ads.
Which is updated more often, EchoLink or American Bee Journal?
EchoLink ships an update every 4 months, and American Bee Journal every 6 months. Most recently, EchoLink was updated on October 23, 2026 and American Bee Journal on October 24, 2026.

Other comparisons