Packet Pad vs SWLog
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Packet Pad
Decode and view packet radio transmissions directly on your mobile device. Listen to packet frequencies or connect your radio for enhanced audio quality. Save received text for later review or transfer it to your computer.
- View packet radio transmissions
- Decode 1200 baud packet
- Display raw APRS packets
- Save received text
- Transfer data to computer
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Packet Pad lets you view Packet Radio transmissions on your iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. Just set it next to your radio, tune in a Packet frequency, and watch the decodes. Or for even better quality decodes, connect a patch cable from your radio's audio output to the microphone jack, or a USB sound device plugged into the USB-C port of your device. Raw APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) packets are also displayed. You can also save your received text to view later, or transfer to your computer via iTunes. Note: Only 1200 baud packet is decoded. The app is receive only, packets are not transmitted.
SWLog
Log amateur radio QSOs and broadcast transmissions on your mobile device. Supports QRZ lookups and various broadcast schedule queries for station identification. Features GPS integration and local log browsing, with the ability to upload to a main logging program.
- Log amateur radio QSOs
- Log broadcast transmissions
- QRZ lookups
- Broadcast schedule lookups
- GPS integration
- Upload logs to main program
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SWLog is a mobile companion application to the full SWLog suite or logging and radio control applications. SWLog allows amateur radio and broadcast (shortwave, AM/FM, and utility) transmissions to be logged locally and later uploaded to the main logging program. QRZ can be used for lookups for amateur radio logs. For broadcast logs, various program schedules from ADDX, AOKI, EIBI, FCC, HFCC, ILGRadio, and SWSkeds are queried to aid in identifying the station. Features of this app include: * Download a preset list of locations, radios, and broadcast program schedules * Add an amateur radio QSO * Supports QRZ lookups * Monitor POTA spots * Add a POTA spot * Add a broadcast log * Supports lookups to various program schedules * GPS integration including calculating the current grid square to 10 characters * View/Browse locally added logs * Upload logs to the main logging program
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: SWLog at Free against Packet Pad's $2.99. SWLog also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 13 months). Packet Pad's advantage is review sentiment (53% vs 25%) and chart position (#191 vs unranked). On 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
SWLog is free to download; Packet Pad costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Packet Pad ships an update every 13 months, SWLog fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Packet Pad | SWLog |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 3.8 (17 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 53.3% of reviews — better | 25.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 17 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 13 months | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | #191 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 16.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 2 MB | 305 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Black Cat Systems | Robert Sillett |
Customer experience
Packet Pad
SWLog
In-app purchases
Packet Pad
No in-app purchases
SWLog
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Packet Pad free?
Is SWLog free?
Do Packet Pad or SWLog have ads?
Which is updated more often, Packet Pad or SWLog?
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