# EchoLink vs PatchScan

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | EchoLink | PatchScan |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.0 (41 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/echolink/id350688562/reviews)** | [2.6 (34 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/patchscan/id645573864/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **41** | 34 |
| Positive reviews | **61.7% of reviews** | 30.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 months** | Every 25 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 20 MB | 28 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | **9.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Synergenics, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/350688565) | [Boy Scouts of America](https://appshunter.io/developer/327240448) |

## What reviewers say

### EchoLink

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/echolink/id350688562)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Wonderful System
- 🚀 Great for ham travelers
- 🚀 Amazing App
- 🚀 Great tool for Hams
- 🚀 Excellent System

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 EchoLink does not work
- 🐛 Can't find stations!
- 🐛 Not working on ios26 iPhone pro max
- 🐛 Mic gain
- 🐛 Connectivity problems lately

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- Bigger PTT please?
- Add more to app
- Password reset in app option
- Almost There!
- Bigger PTT please?


### PatchScan

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/patchscan/id645573864)

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.

**Highlights:** Scan officially licensed BSA patches, View patch issuance numbers, Identify issuing organizations, Access manufacturing details, Verify patch authenticity with production scans, Enhance patch trading

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is EchoLink free?

EchoLink is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is PatchScan free?

PatchScan is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, EchoLink or PatchScan?

EchoLink is rated higher. EchoLink averages 4.0 out of 5 from 41 ratings, while PatchScan averages 2.6 from 34 ratings.

### Do EchoLink or PatchScan have ads?

Neither EchoLink nor PatchScan shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, EchoLink or PatchScan?

EchoLink ships an update every 4 months, and PatchScan every 25 months. Most recently, EchoLink was updated on October 7, 2026 and PatchScan on October 10, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*