ACARS vs DxQSO
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.
DxQSO
Access and manage your amateur radio logbook from any mobile device. This app synchronizes with your PC/Mac logbook software, providing real-time updates, filtering options, and QSL alert notifications. Upload and download log data easily for various operations.
- Real-time logbook synchronization
- Mobile access to logbook data
- QSL alert notifications
- Filter log entries by various criteria
- Upload and download log data in ADIF format
- Support for multiple stations
- Bidirectional integration with LoTW
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DxQSO puts your entire operating life in your pocket — and instead of making you check, it tells you. When QSOs are confirmed or when you get a new confirmed DXCC, state (overall or band based) DxQSO let's you know with either in-app alerts or an email (your choice). Let your friends or club members also know. Find our what they are working on. It works with the logging software you already use — Log4OM, N1MM+, Ham Radio Deluxe, WSJT-X, SmartSDR, SDR Control, the POTA app, and more. Nothing to relearn. DxQSO connects to all of it and brings it together into one living record you carry everywhere. 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. At the dinner table, on the commute, or in the field, your shack is always with you. QSL ALERTS Any logging app shows the QSOs you have worked — that is just a list. What matters is when they become confirmed QSLs. When LoTW® or QRZ confirms one, DxQSO pushes an alert to your phone. No more opening your logging app to check. No more waiting to get back to the shack. ACHIEVEMENT ALERTS DxQSO knows what you are chasing. The moment a confirmed QSL earns you a new DXCC entity, a new state toward Worked All States or a new grid your phone tells you — with the award it counts toward. Your progress comes to you, in real time. DxSOCIAL — YOUR CLUB AND FRIENDS, LIVE DxSocial is private space for your club, team, and friends, built right into DxQSO. Your club or contest team gets a private area with group messaging, shared files, and forums to plan activations, contests, and Field Day. Follow your friends to see their real time operating activity and achievements as they happen — and share your own. It comes alive during Field Day, major contests, and DX expeditions. ONE RECORD ACROSS EVERY LOG Run a single logbook at home, or juggle 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 real-time pipeline to LoTW and QRZ. Upload your ADIF on the spot and DxQSO submits it immediately, or let the Network Listener sync every QSO as you log it. When hunters confirm your contacts, your phone tells you the moment they are credited — 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 price: DxQSO at Free against ACARS's $2.99. DxQSO also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.0) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 12 months). ACARS's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (14 vs 1). 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; ACARS costs $2.99 up front. DxQSO sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $29.99 per year. ACARS asks for nothing beyond the download.
DxQSO holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ACARS has 14 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
ACARS ships an update every 12 months, DxQSO every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 15, 2026.
| Parameter | ACARS | DxQSO |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 3.0 (14 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 41.4% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 14 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 12 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Freemium — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 6.0 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 2 MB | 56 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Black Cat Systems | DX Development Corporation |
Customer experience
ACARS
DxQSO
In-app purchases
ACARS
No in-app purchases
DxQSO
- DxQSO Annually$29.991 Year









