EchoLink vs PatchScan
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.
PatchScan
Access detailed information about officially licensed Boy Scouts of America patches by scanning their unique codes. Discover issuance numbers, issuing organizations, manufacturing details, and view scans from the same production run to verify authenticity. Enhance your patch trading and collection with this free tool.
- Scan officially licensed BSA patches
- View patch issuance numbers
- Identify issuing organizations
- Access manufacturing details
- Verify patch authenticity with production scans
- Enhance patch trading
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Use PatchScan to get important information about Boy Scouts of America® Officially Licensed patches that have a special PatchScan code on the back! With an internet connection, you can quickly access how many of each patch were really issued, which organization issued them, and manufacturing details. You'll even see a scan of a patch from the same production run so you can verify that the patch in your hand is legit. Make better patch trades and get PatchScan today for FREE! PatchScan's official launch party is at the 2013 National Scout Jamboree. Official Jamboree Shoulder Patches are required to have a PatchScan code on the back. PatchScan is a project of the Boy Scouts of America's licensing programs. Boy Scouts of America®, the Universal Emblem, BSA®, are either registered trademarks or trademarks of the Boy Scouts of America in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: EchoLink at 4.0 against PatchScan's 2.6. EchoLink also leads on review sentiment (62% vs 30%) and update cadence (every 4 months vs every 25 months). PatchScan's advantage is iOS requirement (9.0 vs 13.0). On price, 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
EchoLink holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 2.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 41 and 34 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 62% of EchoLink's written reviews are positive against 30% of PatchScan's.
EchoLink ships an update every 4 months, PatchScan every 25 months. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | EchoLink | PatchScan |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.0 (41 ratings) — better | 2.6 (34 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 61.7% of reviews — better | 30.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 41 — better | 34 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months — better | Every 25 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 9.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 20 MB | 28 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Synergenics, LLC | Boy Scouts of America |
Customer experience
EchoLink
PatchScan
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
PatchScan
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
EchoLink
No in-app purchases
PatchScan
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is EchoLink free?
Is PatchScan free?
Which has better reviews, EchoLink or PatchScan?
Do EchoLink or PatchScan have ads?
Which is updated more often, EchoLink or PatchScan?
Other comparisons
