Comparison

ACARS vs RUMlogNG2Go

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

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.

About

RUMlogNG2Go

This amateur radio contact logging tool offers comprehensive QSO logging, DXCC tracking, and integration with various online services. It supports file exchange via iCloud and iTunes, and can exchange data with select transceivers.

Highlights
  • QSO logging with DXCC, heading, and distance calculations
  • Log file compatibility with Mac RUMlogNG
  • Exchange logs via iCloud, iTunes Filesharing, or Files
  • Import/Export ADIF files
  • eQSL and LoTW user identification
  • Integrated telnet DX cluster
  • Real-time Grayline Map
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

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

ACARS3 screens
RUMlogNG2Go4 screens

Verdict

The call

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 17.6). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and chart position 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

ACARS costs $2.99 and RUMlogNG2Go $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

RUMlogNG2Go holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RUMlogNG2Go has 253 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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ACARS ships an update every 12 months, RUMlogNG2Go every 4 weeks. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
ACARS versus RUMlogNG2Go: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterACARSRUMlogNG2Go
Price$2.99 — better$4.99
Rating3.0 (14 ratings)4.7 (253 ratings) — better
Positive reviews41.4% of reviews73.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings14253 — better
Update frequencyEvery 12 monthsEvery 4 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank#120#81 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS6.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB16 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBlack Cat SystemsThomas Lindner, DL2RUM

Customer experience

ACARS

All ratings14 ratings
Positive42.9%
Neutral21.4%
Negative35.7%
Written reviews29 reviews
Positive41.4%
Neutral27.6%
Negative31.0%

RUMlogNG2Go

All ratings253 ratings
Positive91.7%
Neutral4.0%
Negative4.3%
Written reviews34 reviews
Positive73.5%
Neutral8.8%
Negative17.6%

Bugs and requests

ACARS

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

RUMlogNG2Go

Reported bugs

17 issues
  • Date and time (UTC) fields not functioning properly
  • eQSL not working, incorrect password message
  • DX-CLUSTER without function, no response from Sysop
  • Will not download ADIF logs from onecloud
  • Local Time and UTC mixed, data converted to UTC
Show 12 more
  • Date display removed in recent updates
  • App crashes permanently (initially)
  • Logbook will not download ADIF logs
  • Cannot transfer log from iPad to QRZ.com
  • Cannot search logbook by other criteria
  • Does not flash up first name when adding call sign
  • Sync with RumLog NG on Mac requires copy-paste
  • ADIF import difficult, requires file type change and copy-paste
  • ADIF export option not available
  • Import from Dropbox does not import ADIF
  • Map not zoomable
  • Stopped working after update

Requested features

12 requests
  • Add K4D as rig option for TRX Control
  • Add AMP KPA1500
  • Add RT21-D Rotor Control
  • Search logbook by first name or town
  • Flash first name when adding call sign
Show 7 more
  • Auto-populate name and locator from QRZ
  • Pileup mode for iPad
  • Sync with RumLog NG on Mac without copy-paste
  • Integration with Hamlog.online
  • Export to iCloud Drive and/or MS OneDrive
  • Generic file import using file extension
  • Make map zoomable

In-app purchases

None

ACARS

No in-app purchases

None

RUMlogNG2Go

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ACARS free?
ACARS costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is RUMlogNG2Go free?
RUMlogNG2Go costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, ACARS or RUMlogNG2Go?
RUMlogNG2Go is rated higher. ACARS averages 3.0 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while RUMlogNG2Go averages 4.7 from 253 ratings.
Do ACARS or RUMlogNG2Go have ads?
Neither ACARS nor RUMlogNG2Go shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ACARS or RUMlogNG2Go?
ACARS ships an update every 12 months, and RUMlogNG2Go every 4 weeks. Most recently, ACARS was updated on November 1, 2026 and RUMlogNG2Go on November 1, 2026.
Which is more popular, ACARS or RUMlogNG2Go?
ACARS currently peaks at #120 in the App Store charts, and RUMlogNG2Go at #81. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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