ACARS vs RUMlogNG2Go
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ACARS
View ACARS aircraft transmissions on your iOS device without a bulky computer. Requires a radio scanner tuned to the aircraft band. Save decodes to a file or transfer to your computer.
- View ACARS transmissions on iOS
- Save decoded packets to a file
- Transfer data to computer via iTunes
- Built-in aircraft model database
- Add custom plane information
- Color-coded packet fields
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Want to display ACARS transmissions, without using a bulky computer? ACARS lets you view ACARS aircraft transmissions on your iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch. A radio/scanner capable of tuning the 118-136 MHz aircraft band is required. Just set it next to the radio's speaker, tune in an ACARS frequency, and watch the decodes. Or, for even better reception, use a pair of earbuds, plugged into the radio’s headphone jack, rather than the internal speaker. You can save decoded ACARS packets to a file to view later, or transfer to your computer via iTunes. Aircraft model information for many planes in a built in database is displayed along with the decoded packets. You can also add your own plane information to the database. Packet fields are color coded on iOS 6 and later. Buy your copy right now, and start decoding and displaying ACARS transmissions in minutes.
RUMlogNG2Go
This application serves as a contact logging tool for amateur radio enthusiasts. It allows users to manage their QSO logs, import and export data in ADIF format, and integrate with various online services for QSL confirmation and log uploads. Features include DXCC tracking, sunrise/sunset calculations, and DX cluster integration.
- Contact logging for amateur radio
- ADIF file import and export
- DXCC, heading, and distance calculations
- eQSL and LoTW user identification
- Integrated telnet DX cluster
- Real-time Grayline Map
- Transceiver data exchange
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RUMlog is a contact logging tool for amateur radio, very similar and log file compatible to the Mac logger RUMlogNG. * Use the same log file on your Mac computer * 4 user definable logging fields * Exchange the logs via iTunes Filesharing, iCloud or Files * Import ADIF files via email, clipboard, iCloud or Files * Export ADIF files via email, clipboard, iCloud or Files * Log your QSOs up to 3cm * Logging includes DXCC, heading and distance calculations * eQSL and/or LoTW users will be identified during logging * Can save your current position into the Note field, useful for portable or mobile operation * Sunset and sunrise calculations * RUMlog keeps track of your worked and confirmed countries * Direct log upload to eQSL (iPad only) * Direct QSL download from eQSL * Direct QSL download from LoTW * Direct log/QSO upload to Club Log * Integrated telnet DX cluster, including a spot collector * DX cluster command macros * LoTW ans eQSL users are marked in a dx spot * Real Time Grayline Map, showing short and log path to the station * HamQTH.com and qrz.com integration * Basic data exchange with Elecraft, Icom, Kenwood and Yaesu transceivers using the Pigtail hardware (http://pignology.net) or a Bluetooth LE interface (iPad and few TRX only) * Full control panel for Elecraft K3, KX3 and KX2 (iPad only) * Direct IC-705 control over Bluetooth LE for iPad and iPhone * Work RTTY, PSK and CW using the Elecraft transceivers built in functions (iPad only) * DXCC table with counter (including Deleted DXCCs)
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: RUMlogNG2Go at 4.7 against ACARS's 3.0. RUMlogNG2Go also leads on review sentiment (74% vs 41%) and update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 12 months). ACARS's advantage is price ($2.99 vs $4.99) and iOS requirement (6.0 vs 16.4). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model 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
ACARS costs $2.99 and RUMlogNG2Go $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
RUMlogNG2Go holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RUMlogNG2Go has 251 ratings behind it against 14, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 41% of ACARS's written reviews are positive against 74% of RUMlogNG2Go's.
ACARS ships an update every 12 months, RUMlogNG2Go every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | ACARS | RUMlogNG2Go |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2.99 — better | $4.99 |
| Rating | 3.0 (14 ratings) | 4.7 (251 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 41.4% of reviews | 73.5% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 14 | 251 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 12 months | Every 4 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | #172 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 6.0 — better | 16.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 2 MB | 15 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Black Cat Systems | Thomas Lindner, DL2RUM |
Customer experience
ACARS
RUMlogNG2Go
In-app purchases
ACARS
No in-app purchases
RUMlogNG2Go
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is ACARS free?
Is RUMlogNG2Go free?
Which has better reviews, ACARS or RUMlogNG2Go?
Do ACARS or RUMlogNG2Go have ads?
Which is updated more often, ACARS or RUMlogNG2Go?
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