Comparison

ACARS vs Morse Maven

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
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

Morse Maven

Master Morse code with a comprehensive suite of tools. Learn progressively from beginner to advanced levels, practice receiving by ear, and decode messages automatically. Customize your learning experience with adjustable speeds and spacing.

Highlights
  • Progressive learning modules
  • Customizable speed and spacing
  • Audio Morse code training
  • Automatic decoding tool
  • Morse code sending tool
  • Reference guide
Features
Read full description

Morse Maven offers a complete suite of tools to help you learn and master Morse code at your own pace. Learn, practice, and perfect your Morse code skills with our comprehensive app designed for everyone from beginners to advanced operators. Whether you're just starting out or aiming for high-speed copying, Morse Maven offers a complete suite of tools to help you learn and master Morse code at your own pace. Key Features: Beginner to Advanced Learning: The app provides progressive lessons for every skill level. The beginner's training course specifically uses the Koch method to teach the International Morse Code alphabet, numbers, punctuation, and common prosigns. With consistent practice using Morse Maven, beginners can learn to recognise all characters in about 1-2 months, and the app guides you through developing speed and fluency. Customizable Settings: Adjust character speed (WPM), Farnsworth spacing, and tone frequency to match your preferences. Farnsworth spacing is a method where individual characters are sent at a higher speed but with extra spacing between characters and words, which helps beginners recognise sound patterns while giving them time to process. Audio Morse Training: Practice receiving Morse code by ear with clear, adjustable audio tones. Morse tones are "shaped" with a raised cosine filter for easy listening. Morse Decoding Tool: Automatically decode received audio or flashlight Morse code messages using a Goertzel decoding algorithm. This tool also helps you check your sending accuracy. Sending Tool: Type text to send messages in Morse code by sound or flashlight. Reference: Access a complete listing of International Morse Code characters for quick reference. The Morse sending, decoding the reference features are free, always. You get three hours of complimentary access to our Learning & Improving features. To unlock unlimited access to everything, you can purchase a one-time upgrade for a small fee directly in the app. This helps us keep the app running smoothly and develop even more great features.

Screenshots

ACARS3 screens
Morse Maven4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Morse Maven at Free against ACARS's $2.99. Morse Maven also leads on rating (4.5 vs 3.0) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 12 months). ACARS's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (6.0 vs 15.6). On ratings volume, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Morse Maven is free to download; ACARS costs $2.99 up front. Morse Maven sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. ACARS asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Morse Maven holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 14 and 6 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 41% of ACARS's written reviews are positive against 50% of Morse Maven's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ACARS ships an update every 12 months, Morse Maven every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and August 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
ACARS versus Morse Maven: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterACARSMorse Maven
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating3.0 (14 ratings)4.5 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews41.4% of reviews50.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings14 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 12 monthsEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS6.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB46 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBlack Cat SystemsDragon Technology Ltd

Customer experience

ACARS

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

Morse Maven

All ratings6 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

None

ACARS

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Morse Maven

One-time1
  • Morse Maven Learning Upgrade$4.99

Questions

Is ACARS free?
ACARS costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Morse Maven free?
Morse Maven is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, ACARS or Morse Maven?
Morse Maven is rated higher. ACARS averages 3.0 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while Morse Maven averages 4.5 from 6 ratings.
Do ACARS or Morse Maven have ads?
Neither ACARS nor Morse Maven shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ACARS or Morse Maven?
ACARS ships an update every 12 months, and Morse Maven every 4 days. Most recently, ACARS was updated on September 23, 2026 and Morse Maven on August 23, 2026.

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