# Packet Pad vs DxQSO

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Packet Pad | DxQSO |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $2.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [3.8 (18 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/packet-pad/id385609173/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dxqso/id6680187988/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **18** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 53.3% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 13 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Freemium** |
| Best chart rank | **#194** | — |
| Size | 2 MB | 57 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Black Cat Systems](https://appshunter.io/developer/301047032) | [DX Development Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/1768237525) |

## What reviewers say

### Packet Pad

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/packet-pad/id385609173)

**Currently charting:** #194 Top Paid · Lifestyle (US App Store)

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.

**Highlights:** View packet radio transmissions, Decode 1200 baud packet, Display raw APRS packets, Save received text, Transfer data to computer

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### DxQSO

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dxqso/id6680187988)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| DxQSO Annually | $29.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Packet Pad free?

Packet Pad costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is DxQSO free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Packet Pad or DxQSO?

DxQSO is rated higher. Packet Pad averages 3.8 out of 5 from 18 ratings, while DxQSO averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do Packet Pad or DxQSO have ads?

Neither Packet Pad nor DxQSO shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Packet Pad or DxQSO?

Packet Pad ships an update every 13 months, and DxQSO every 2 weeks. Most recently, Packet Pad was updated on November 1, 2026 and DxQSO on November 6, 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.*