Comparison

Morse Pad vs SWLog

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

Head to head
About

Morse Pad

Decode Morse code transmissions directly on your iPad or iPhone. Simply place your device near a radio, tune into a Morse code signal, and see the decoded text appear in real-time. Adjust for transmission speed and frequency for optimal decoding.

Highlights
  • Real-time Morse code decoding
  • Adjustable WPM (Words Per Minute)
  • Auto WPM detection
  • Center frequency input
  • Automatic Frequency Control (AFC)
  • Spectrum display for tuning aid
Features
Read full description

Want to monitor morse code transmissions, without using a bulky computer? Morse Pad lets you decode morse code on your iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch. Just set your device near a radio, tune in a morse code transmission, and watch the decoded text. Enter in the morse code speed in WPM. Or you can turn on Auto WPM mode, and Morse Pad will try to determine the sending speed. Note that it may take take a moment for the app to determine the speed, or to adjust to changes in speed. You also need to enter the center frequency of the morse code audio, in Hz. Morse Pad has an AFC (Automatic Frequency Control) option, it will automatically track frequency changes and lock on to the strongest signal found. The spectrum display in the upper left corner shows the audio spectrum, with a red line drawn over the center frequency. This can be used as a tuning aid. Buy your copy of Morse Pad right now, and start decoding and displaying morse code transmissions in minutes.

About

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.

Highlights
  • Log amateur radio QSOs
  • Log broadcast transmissions
  • QRZ lookups
  • Broadcast schedule lookups
  • GPS integration
  • Upload logs to main program
Features
Read full description

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

Morse Pad2 screens
SWLog4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: SWLog at Free against Morse Pad's $2.99. SWLog also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 20 months). Morse Pad's advantage is review sentiment (49% vs 25%) and iOS requirement (6.0 vs 16.1). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Morse Pad ships an update every 20 months, SWLog fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Morse Pad versus SWLog: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMorse PadSWLog
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating3.9 (28 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews48.9% of reviews — better25.0% of reviews
Number of ratings28 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 20 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS6.0 — better16.1
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB305 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBlack Cat SystemsRobert Sillett

Customer experience

Morse Pad

All ratings28 ratings
Positive71.4%
Neutral10.7%
Negative17.9%
Written reviews45 reviews
Positive48.9%
Neutral15.6%
Negative35.6%

SWLog

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative75.0%

In-app purchases

None

Morse Pad

No in-app purchases

None

SWLog

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Morse Pad free?
Morse Pad costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is SWLog free?
SWLog is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Morse Pad or SWLog have ads?
Neither Morse Pad nor SWLog shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Morse Pad or SWLog?
Morse Pad ships an update every 20 months, and SWLog fortnightly. Most recently, Morse Pad was updated on October 15, 2026 and SWLog on October 9, 2026.

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