EchoLink vs American Bee Journal
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.
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.
- How-to articles for all beekeeping levels
- Reader Q&A section
- Honey market outlook
- Beekeeping event listings
- Nationwide beekeeping news
- Offline access to issues
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
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.
| Parameter | EchoLink | American Bee Journal |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.9 (44 ratings) — better | 1.3 (26 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 61.5% of reviews — better | 40.9% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 44 — better | 26 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months — better | Every 6 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Subscription |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 12.2 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 20 MB | 66 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Synergenics, LLC | Dadant & Sons Inc |
Customer experience
EchoLink
American Bee Journal
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 moreShow fewer
- 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 moreShow fewer
- 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
EchoLink
No in-app purchases
American Bee Journal
- American Bee Journal$3.993 Months
Questions
Is EchoLink free?
Is American Bee Journal free?
Which has better reviews, EchoLink or American Bee Journal?
Do EchoLink or American Bee Journal have ads?
Which is updated more often, EchoLink or American Bee Journal?
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