Comparison

EchoLink vs SWLog

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

SWLog

Log amateur radio QSOs and broadcast transmissions on your mobile device. Supports QRZ lookups and various broadcast schedule queries for station identification. Features GPS integration and local log browsing, with the ability to upload to a main logging program.

Highlights
  • Log amateur radio QSOs
  • Log broadcast transmissions
  • QRZ lookups
  • Broadcast schedule lookups
  • GPS integration
  • Upload logs to main program
Features
Read full description

SWLog is a mobile companion application to the full SWLog suite or logging and radio control applications. SWLog allows amateur radio and broadcast (shortwave, AM/FM, and utility) transmissions to be logged locally and later uploaded to the main logging program. QRZ can be used for lookups for amateur radio logs. For broadcast logs, various program schedules from ADDX, AOKI, EIBI, FCC, HFCC, ILGRadio, and SWSkeds are queried to aid in identifying the station. Features of this app include: * Download a preset list of locations, radios, and broadcast program schedules * Add an amateur radio QSO * Supports QRZ lookups * Monitor POTA spots * Add a POTA spot * Add a broadcast log * Supports lookups to various program schedules * GPS integration including calculating the current grid square to 10 characters * View/Browse locally added logs * Upload logs to the main logging program

Screenshots

EchoLink3 screens
SWLog4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: EchoLink at 62% against SWLog's 25%. EchoLink also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.1). SWLog's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 4 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

EchoLink ships an update every 4 months, SWLog fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
EchoLink versus SWLog: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEchoLinkSWLog
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (41 ratings) — better
Positive reviews61.7% of reviews — better25.0% of reviews
Number of ratings41 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.1
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB305 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSynergenics, LLCRobert Sillett

Customer experience

EchoLink

All ratings41 ratings
Positive68.3%
Neutral12.2%
Negative19.5%
Written reviews381 reviews
Positive61.7%
Neutral12.1%
Negative26.2%

SWLog

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative75.0%

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

SWLog

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

EchoLink

No in-app purchases

None

SWLog

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is EchoLink free?
EchoLink is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SWLog free?
SWLog is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do EchoLink or SWLog have ads?
Neither EchoLink nor SWLog shows ads.
Which is updated more often, EchoLink or SWLog?
EchoLink ships an update every 4 months, and SWLog fortnightly. Most recently, EchoLink was updated on September 22, 2026 and SWLog on September 3, 2026.

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