Comparison

NAVTEX Pad vs ClearNode

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

NAVTEX Pad

Decode NAVTEX and RTTY marine weather transmissions on your iOS device. View safety messages and weather reports without a dedicated receiver. Save and transfer decoded text for later use.

Highlights
  • Decodes NAVTEX transmissions
  • Decodes RTTY (BAUDOT & ASCII)
  • Saves received text
  • Transfers text to computer
  • Displays NAVTEX schedules
  • No dedicated receiver needed
Features
Read full description

NAVTEX Pad lets you view NAVTEX and Radio Teletype (RTTY) marine weather transmissions on your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad. Just set it near a radio (or for better quality decoding, connect a cable from the radio's audio output jack to the microphone jack), tune in a NAVTEX frequency (usually 518 kHz), and watch the transmissions. NAVTEX weather and marine safety messages are transmitted from dozens of sites around the world. Now you can display these messages without buying a dedicated NAVTEX receiver. Both BAUDOT and ASCII RTTY can also be decoded. The shift and baud can can be selected from the standard values. You can also save your received text to view later, or transfer to your computer via iTunes. Schedules of upcoming NAVTEX transmissions are available within the app, so you'll never miss one. Visit the support page for step by step instructions for using the app: http://www.blackcatsystems.com/ipad/iPad_NAVTEX_Pad_FAQ.html Buy your copy of NAVTEX pad today, and never be without up to date marine weather information again.

About

ClearNode

This app provides remote control and management for ClearNode devices, enabling users to configure settings, connect to nodes, and control integrated radio functions. It also allows for audio stream playback and monitoring of multiple devices.

Highlights
  • Configure AllStar, Echolink, and DMR credentials
  • Control radio parameters (frequency, CTCSS, volume)
  • Connect/disconnect from remote nodes
  • Catalog and search active node lists
  • Monitor and control multiple devices
  • Play delayed audio streams
  • Power down or reboot device
Features
Read full description

The ClearNode App allows you to: - Set up your ClearNode with your AllStar, Echolink and DMR credentials and settings - Configure important parameters for Asterisk and USB Audio - Connect and disconnect your ClearNode device from remote nodes and servers - Keep a catalog of the nodes you have connected to - Search the AllStar, Echolink and DMR active node lists - Control the integrated radio: Tx/Rx frequency, CTCSS codes, Squelch, Volume, Emphasis, High Pass and Low Pass, bandwidth - Power down or reboot your ClearNode Device - Play a delayed stream (~20 sec) of the audio traffic on your ClearNode (Tx and Rx), also play the stream to your public Broadcastify account - The ClearNode App detects and displays your ClearNode's current IP Addresses - If you have multiple ClearNode devices you can monitor and control them all from a single ClearNode Mobile App This application is a support/remote control utility for ClearNode devices built by Gerry Filby/W6WNG.

Screenshots

NAVTEX Pad3 screens
ClearNode4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: ClearNode at 100% against NAVTEX Pad's 27%. ClearNode also leads on price (Free vs $2.99) and rating (4.8 vs 1.9). NAVTEX Pad's advantage is iOS requirement (9.0 vs 26.0). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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

ClearNode is free to download; NAVTEX Pad costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ClearNode holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 1.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 12 and 32 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 27% of NAVTEX Pad's written reviews are positive against 100% of ClearNode's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NAVTEX Pad ships an update every 17 months, ClearNode every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
NAVTEX Pad versus ClearNode: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNAVTEX PadClearNode
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating1.9 (12 ratings)4.8 (32 ratings) — better
Positive reviews27.3% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1232 — better
Update frequencyEvery 17 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS9.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBlack Cat SystemsGerry Filby

Customer experience

NAVTEX Pad

All ratings12 ratings
Positive25.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative75.0%
Written reviews44 reviews
Positive27.3%
Neutral9.1%
Negative63.6%

ClearNode

All ratings32 ratings
Positive96.9%
Neutral3.1%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

NAVTEX Pad

No in-app purchases

None

ClearNode

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is NAVTEX Pad free?
NAVTEX Pad costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is ClearNode free?
ClearNode is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, NAVTEX Pad or ClearNode?
ClearNode is rated higher. NAVTEX Pad averages 1.9 out of 5 from 12 ratings, while ClearNode averages 4.8 from 32 ratings.
Do NAVTEX Pad or ClearNode have ads?
Neither NAVTEX Pad nor ClearNode shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NAVTEX Pad or ClearNode?
NAVTEX Pad ships an update every 17 months, and ClearNode every 3 weeks. Most recently, NAVTEX Pad was updated on October 17, 2026 and ClearNode on October 14, 2026.

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