Packet Pad vs DxQSO
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.
DxQSO
This app consolidates your ham radio operating history from various logging software into a single, portable record. It features an AI assistant that suggests valuable contacts and alerts you to QSL confirmations and achievements.
- Consolidated logbook from multiple sources
- AI-powered contact suggestions
- Real-time QSO capture
- QSL and achievement alerts
- Private club and friend messaging
- Portable operations support
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HAM RADIO THAT KNOWS YOU. DxQSO puts your entire operating life in your pocket — and instead of making you check, it tells you. Now with Co-Operator, your AI operating assistant, it also tells you what is worth working next. It works with the logging software you already use — N3FJP, Log4OM, N1MM+, Ham Radio Deluxe, WSJT-X, SmartSDR, SDR Control, the POTA app, and more. Nothing to relearn. DxQSO brings it all together into one living record you carry everywhere. CO-OPERATOR — YOUR AI OPERATING ASSISTANT Co-Operator learns how you operate from your own log: your bands, your modes and the hours you are usually on the air. It knows what you still need from your LoTW® and QRZ confirmations, and it watches the DX spots around the clock from your part of the world. When something you need is on the air and workable from your location, Co-Operator tells you. • Guidance: what to work right now, ranked for how you operate — new DXCC entities, new bands and modes, CQ zones, grids and more. • Alerts: in the app and by email, written in the language you choose, inside the hours you set. One switch pauses everything. Co-Operator is included with DxQSO Membership. YOUR LOGBOOK, IN YOUR POCKET Your complete operating history — every contact, across every log and every station — on your phone. Browse, search, and filter by call sign, band, mode, country, or DXCC entity, and see at a glance which contacts are confirmed and which are still pending. QSL AND ACHIEVEMENT ALERTS When LoTW or QRZ confirms a QSO, DxQSO lets you know. The moment a confirmed QSL earns you a new DXCC entity, a new state toward Worked All States (overall or by band) or a new grid, your phone tells you — with the award it counts toward. Choose in-app alerts, email, or both. DXSOCIAL — YOUR CLUB AND FRIENDS, LIVE DxSocial is a private space for your club, team, and friends, built right into DxQSO. Your club or contest team gets group messaging, shared files, and forums to plan activations, contests, and Field Day. Follow your friends to see their operating activity and achievements as they happen, find out what they are working, and share your own. ONE RECORD ACROSS EVERY LOG Run a single logbook at home, or a home shack, contest station, remote rig, and POTA field kit — DxQSO accepts ADIF from any source and consolidates everything into one searchable, always-current record. Keep the software you love; DxQSO does the bringing-together. REAL-TIME LOG CAPTURE The Network Listener captures QSOs automatically from SmartSDR, SDR Control, and any app that supports the N1MM UDP broadcast protocol. Log a contact at your radio and it is in DxQSO instantly — no export, no waiting. BUILT FOR POTA, SOTA & PORTABLE OPS In the field, DxQSO is your pipeline to LoTW and QRZ. Upload your ADIF on the spot, or let the Network Listener capture every QSO as you log it. When hunters confirm your contacts, your phone tells you — so you go home already knowing. DX-TQSL integration keeps your full QSO history with you whether or not you use LoTW. Sign up at dxqso.net and bring every one of your logs with you. 73 de DX Development Corporation If you choose to upgrade to a Member subscription of DxQSO, you will be charged $29.99 US each year as a "DxQSO" subscription in your Apple App Store account. The subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You may cancel at any time (by turning off auto renewal) using your Apple Store account prior to the day of the annual renewal. Please see our Terms and Conditions at: https://dxqso.org/terms and our Privacy Policy at https://dxqso.org/privacy. Logbook of The World and LoTW are registered trademarks of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). QRZ and QRZ.com are trademarks of QRZ, LLC. DxQSO is not affiliated with or endorsed by the ARRL or QRZ, LLC.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: DxQSO at 100% against Packet Pad's 53%. DxQSO also leads on price (Free vs $2.99) and rating (5.0 vs 3.8). Packet Pad's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and chart position (#194 vs unranked). On 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
DxQSO is free to download; Packet Pad costs $2.99 up front. DxQSO sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $29.99 per year. Packet Pad asks for nothing beyond the download.
DxQSO holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Packet Pad has 18 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 53% of Packet Pad's written reviews are positive against 100% of DxQSO's.
Packet Pad ships an update every 13 months, DxQSO every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Packet Pad | DxQSO |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 3.8 (18 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 53.3% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 18 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 13 months | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Freemium — better |
| Best chart rank | #194 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 2 MB | 57 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Black Cat Systems | DX Development Corporation |
Customer experience
Packet Pad
DxQSO
In-app purchases
Packet Pad
No in-app purchases
DxQSO
- DxQSO Annually$29.991 Year
Questions
Is Packet Pad free?
Is DxQSO free?
Which has better reviews, Packet Pad or DxQSO?
Do Packet Pad or DxQSO have ads?
Which is updated more often, Packet Pad or DxQSO?
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