Comparison

NAVTEX Pad vs DigiDecoder

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

DigiDecoder

This application decodes and encodes various ham radio digital modes in real-time. It automatically recognizes signals, displays them with an animated waterfall, and supports sending SSTV images, CW, FT8, and Packet messages.

Highlights
  • Real-time digital mode decoding
  • Automatic signal recognition
  • Animated waterfall display
  • SSTV image encoding
  • CW, FT8, and Packet message encoding
  • Bluetooth and network TNC support
Read full description

DigiDecoder is a universal ham radio digital modes decoder and encoder. Use the built-in microphone or connect an audio cable directly for better input quality. One app for all the signals! The correct digital mode is automatically recognized and decoded in real time with an animated waterfall display. Quickly encode and send beautiful SSTV images, plus CW, FT8, and Packet messages. Bluetooth and network TNCs for Packet are supported as well. Try DigiDecoder free for 7 days. After the trial, continue with an affordable monthly subscription, or unlock lifetime access with a one-time purchase (a few months' worth). Nothing is charged during the trial and you can cancel anytime. Currently supported modes (more to come): SSTV: Robot 8 BW - 160×120 Robot 12 BW - 160×120 Robot 24 Color - 160×120 YCrCb Robot 24 BW - 320×240 Robot 36 - 320×240 YCrCb Robot 72 - 320×240 YCrCb Scottie S1 - 320×256 RGB Scottie S2 - 320×256 RGB Scottie DX - 320×256 RGB Martin M1 - 320×256 RGB Martin M2 - 320×256 RGB PD50 - 320×256 YCrCb PD90 - 320×256 YCrCb PD120 - 640×496 YCrCb PD180 - 640×496 YCrCb PD240 - 640×496 YCrCb PD160 - 512×400 YCrCb PD290 - 800×616 YCrCb Packet: AX.25 1200 - AFSK Bell 202, 1200/2200 Hz FX.25 1200 - AX.25 + Reed-Solomon FEC AX.25 300 - AFSK 1600/1800 Hz FX.25 300 - AX.25 300 + Reed-Solomon FEC IL2P 1200 AFSK - Bell 202 + RS FEC IL2P 300 AFSK - 1600/1800 Hz + RS FEC IL2P 300 BPSK - 1500 Hz DBPSK + RS FEC Weak Signal: FT8 - 8-tone GFSK, 15s periods FT4 - 4-tone GFSK, 7.5s periods JS8 - Keyboard-to-keyboard, FT8-based modulation WSPR - 4-FSK beacons, 2 min periods Narrowband: RTTY - 45.45/50/75 Bd CW/Morse - 5-55 WPM Olivia - 8/250, 8/500, 16/500, 16/1000, 32/1000 Voice: RADE - neural OFDM digital voice Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

NAVTEX Pad3 screens
DigiDecoder4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: DigiDecoder at Free against NAVTEX Pad's $2.99. DigiDecoder also leads on rating (4.5 vs 1.9) and update cadence (every 6 days vs every 17 months). NAVTEX Pad's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 17.0). On ratings volume, ads 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

DigiDecoder is free to download; NAVTEX Pad costs $2.99 up front. DigiDecoder sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. NAVTEX Pad asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

DigiDecoder holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 1.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 12 and 8 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 27% of NAVTEX Pad's written reviews are positive against 50% of DigiDecoder's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NAVTEX Pad ships an update every 17 months, DigiDecoder every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
NAVTEX Pad versus DigiDecoder: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNAVTEX PadDigiDecoder
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating1.9 (12 ratings)4.5 (8 ratings) — better
Positive reviews27.3% of reviews50.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings12 — better8
Update frequencyEvery 17 monthsEvery 6 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS9.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB16 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBlack Cat SystemsLukasz Skierkowski

Customer experience

NAVTEX Pad

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

DigiDecoder

All ratings8 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative25.0%

In-app purchases

None

NAVTEX Pad

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

DigiDecoder

Subscriptions1
  • DigiDecoder Monthly7 Days trial$2.991 Month
One-time2
  • DigiDecoder TrialFree
  • DigiDecoder Lifetime$8.99

Questions

Is NAVTEX Pad free?
NAVTEX Pad costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is DigiDecoder free?
DigiDecoder is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, NAVTEX Pad or DigiDecoder?
DigiDecoder is rated higher. NAVTEX Pad averages 1.9 out of 5 from 12 ratings, while DigiDecoder averages 4.5 from 8 ratings.
Do NAVTEX Pad or DigiDecoder have ads?
Neither NAVTEX Pad nor DigiDecoder shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NAVTEX Pad or DigiDecoder?
NAVTEX Pad ships an update every 17 months, and DigiDecoder every 6 days. Most recently, NAVTEX Pad was updated on October 29, 2026 and DigiDecoder on October 28, 2026.

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