# EchoLink vs SideCar

The clearest difference is review sentiment: EchoLink at 62% against SideCar's 0%. EchoLink also leads on rating (4.0 vs 2.4) and update cadence (every 4 months vs every 10 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 2.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: EchoLink has 41 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 62% of EchoLink's written reviews are positive against 0% of SideCar's.

EchoLink ships an update every 4 months, SideCar every 10 months. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | EchoLink | SideCar |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.0 (41 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/echolink/id350688562/reviews)** | [2.4 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sidecar/id6476240552/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **41** | 5 |
| Positive reviews | **61.7% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 months** | Every 10 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 20 MB | 11 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Synergenics, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/350688565) | [Epilog Imaging Systems, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1068615902) |

## 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?


### SideCar

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sidecar/id6476240552)

This application allows users to set up and manage their SideCar device directly from their smartphone. It provides a streamlined interface for configuration and ongoing control of the device's features.

**Highlights:** Device setup, Device management, Smartphone control, Streamlined interface

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is EchoLink free?

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

### Is SideCar free?

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

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

EchoLink is rated higher. EchoLink averages 4.0 out of 5 from 41 ratings, while SideCar averages 2.4 from 5 ratings.

### Do EchoLink or SideCar have ads?

Neither EchoLink nor SideCar shows ads.

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

EchoLink ships an update every 4 months, and SideCar every 10 months. Most recently, EchoLink was updated on October 7, 2026 and SideCar on October 1, 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.*