Comparison

Koch Trainer vs SDR

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

Head to head
About

Koch Trainer

Learn Morse code efficiently using the Koch Method. This app trains your reflexes to receive code at a faster speed, enabling quicker mastery of the language.

Highlights
  • Koch Method training
  • Learn at receiving speed
  • Faster reflex training
  • Morse code practice
  • 20 WPM training speed
Features
Read full description

Koch Trainer is a morse code trainer that uses the Koch Method developed by the German psychologist Ludwig Koch in the 1930's. The method basically states that you should learn morse code at the speed you expect to receive, by training your reflexes to respond to code sent at 20 WPM you'll learn the code much faster. Thank you and 73, Nick N3WG

About

SDR

Control compatible Icom transceivers remotely or locally from your iPad. Offers full operation, dual VFO, a logbook, and integrated digital modes like FT8/FT4, SSTV, and CW decoding.

Highlights
  • Remote transceiver operation
  • Dual VFO and DualWatch
  • Integrated logbook with ADIF support
  • FT8/FT4, SSTV, and CW decoder tools
  • DX-Cluster integration
  • Call sign lookup and map display
Read full description

Your Icom radio on your iPad: at home over Wi-Fi or from anywhere over the internet. Made by a ham, for hams, with personal support included. SDR-Control shows the spectrum scope and waterfall of your Icom radio with all its controls on the large iPad screen. No extra hardware or software needed. WORKS WITH ■ IC-705 (Wi-Fi) ■ IC-7610, IC-7760, IC-9700, IC-7300 MK2 and the IC-R8600 receiver (radio on your network by cable) The app connects over the network only. The older IC-7300 (without MK2) has no network connection and can't be used. OPERATE ■ Spectrum scope and waterfall with band plan, DX Cluster and FT8 spots ■ Two VFOs, filters, preamp, attenuator, NB, NR, notch, AGC and more ■ Compact floating panels: tuning, PTT, CW, memories, macros, Command Bar, DTMF, RIT / ∆TX, D-Star ■ Your iPad as microphone and speaker; the radio keeps playing in the background, also with the cover closed MODES ■ FT8-Improved with AutoAnswer and AutoCQ, plus the classic FT8 ■ JS8 keyboard chat ■ CW with decoder, keyer and CW keyboard ■ Speech: incoming voice transcribed and translated, your typed text sent as speech ■ SSTV, HF-Fax, APRS and WSPR FT8-Improved, JS8, Speech and WSPR need iPadOS 26. TOOLS ■ Logbook with ADIF import and export, shared via iCloud with SmartSDR, FT-Control, TS-Control and K4-Control, on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Vision Pro ■ DX Cluster, POTA, PSK Reporter, Call Lookup, Band Plan, Network Stats, Memories, Scanning, S.A.T. ■ Controllers: MIDI, CTR2, HaliKey, Pryme, Flic ■ 4O3A Genius devices and Ultra Beam antennas MADE BY A HAM Made by Marcus, DL8MRE, who has been developing apps for Apple devices since 2009 and uses this app every day in his own shack, where all supported radios are on the desk. Personal online support and a detailed manual are included. Updates with new modes and features are free: no subscription, no in-app purchases. WHAT YOU NEED ■ One of the radios above, connected to your network ■ An iPad with iPadOS 18 or later ■ For use over the internet: access to your home network from outside (see the manual) Manual: https://go-to.me/sdrcontrol-ios-manual More apps: https://ham-radio-apps.com

Screenshots

Koch Trainer3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Koch Trainer at $0.99 against SDR's $49.99. Koch Trainer also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (6.0 vs 17.6). SDR's advantage is rating (4.2 vs 3.2) and review sentiment (78% vs 50%). On ads and in-app purchases 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

Koch Trainer costs $0.99 and SDR $49.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SDR holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 18 and 70 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Koch Trainer's written reviews are positive against 78% of SDR's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Koch Trainer ships an update every 2 months, SDR every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Koch Trainer versus SDR: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKoch TrainerSDR
Price$0.99 — better$49.99
Rating3.2 (18 ratings)4.2 (70 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews78.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1870 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad
Requires iOS6.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB55 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPignology, LLCMarcus Roskosch

Customer experience

Koch Trainer

All ratings18 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral5.6%
Negative44.4%
Written reviews52 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral11.5%
Negative38.5%

SDR

All ratings70 ratings
Positive78.6%
Neutral2.9%
Negative18.6%
Written reviews82 reviews
Positive78.0%
Neutral3.7%
Negative18.3%

In-app purchases

None

Koch Trainer

No in-app purchases

None

SDR

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Koch Trainer free?
Koch Trainer costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is SDR free?
SDR costs $49.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Koch Trainer or SDR?
SDR is rated higher. Koch Trainer averages 3.2 out of 5 from 18 ratings, while SDR averages 4.2 from 70 ratings.
Do Koch Trainer or SDR have ads?
Neither Koch Trainer nor SDR shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Koch Trainer or SDR?
Koch Trainer ships an update every 2 months, and SDR every 2 weeks. Most recently, Koch Trainer was updated on October 23, 2026 and SDR on October 27, 2026.

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