# EchoLink vs Hearthen

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: EchoLink at none against Hearthen's 3. EchoLink also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). Hearthen's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs every 4 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Hearthen sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.49 per month. EchoLink asks for nothing beyond the download.

EchoLink ships an update every 4 months, Hearthen every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | EchoLink | Hearthen |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.9 (44 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/echolink/id350688562/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **44** | — |
| Positive reviews | 61.5% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 6 days** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 20 MB | 36 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Synergenics, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/350688565) | [Magic Grits LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/6796380813) |

## 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?


### Hearthen

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hearthen/id6796380811)

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Hearthen Premium | $2.49 | per month |
| Hearthen Premium | $19.99 | per year |
| Hearthen Premium Family | $49.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is EchoLink free?

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

### Is Hearthen free?

Hearthen is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do EchoLink or Hearthen have ads?

Neither EchoLink nor Hearthen shows ads.

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

EchoLink ships an update every 4 months, and Hearthen every 6 days. Most recently, EchoLink was updated on October 23, 2026 and Hearthen on October 29, 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.*