Comparison

Morse Elmer vs Morse Decoder Pro

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

Head to head
About

Morse Elmer

Learn Morse Code effectively with this app. It utilizes proven methods like the Koch Method and Farnsworth spacing to accelerate your learning. Track your progress with detailed graphs and train anytime to become proficient.

Highlights
  • Learn Morse Code
  • Koch Method training
  • Farnsworth spacing
  • Progress tracking
  • Graphical results
  • On-the-go training
Features
Read full description

Morse Elmer is an app to help you learn Morse Code. Morse Elmer uses two well established methods to help you learn: The Koch Method and Farnsworth spacing. As you train Morse Elmer keeps track of your results, graphing them so you can monitor your progress. With Morse Elmer on your iOS device you'll have the tools to train whenever you want and the more frequently you train the quicker you'll become proficient. Learn more at: http://morseelmer.blogspot.com/

About

Morse Decoder Pro

This app translates Morse code audio into text. It offers automatic decoding for clear signals and manual controls for challenging audio, including adjustable frequency filters, speed settings, and noise thresholds. A built-in spectrogram aids in identifying tone frequencies.

Highlights
  • Morse code to text translation
  • Automatic and manual decoding modes
  • Adjustable audio frequency filter
  • Variable WPM speed control
  • Background noise threshold adjustment
  • Built-in spectrogram
  • Replay function for previous audio
Features
Read full description

Translate Morse Code or CW audio to text. The HotPaw Morse Code Decoder takes audio input from the microphone or headset input on your iPhone or iPad, decodes Morse Code, and displays the results in text form. It includes both automatic decoding of longer clean signals and manual controls to allow the decoding of more difficult signals in QRM. Decoding parameters that can be manually adjusted include the audio frequency of an optional narrow-band DSP filter, the WPM dot/dash speed used for detecting characters, the threshold level of background noise, and whether Farnsworth timing is to be used for detecting spaces between individual characters. The Morse Code Decoder includes a built-in spectrogram to help determine the audio frequency of the Morse Code tones. You can then use the optional narrow-band audio filter to help filter out background noise. If the audio filter is enabled (frequency lock icon locked), it can be set for frequencies in the range of 400 to 1400 Hz. The filter can also be left off in a wide-band mode (frequency lock icon unlocked). Tap the spectrogram to set the audio filter to the frequency of a selected frequency peak. On the iPhone, tap the lock button to the right of the spectrum graph to toggle the filter off and on. The Morse code WPM (words per minute) detection speed is automatically adaptive from about 8 to 40 WPM, and can be locked to the current estimated WPM dot speed (WPM lock icon locked). One the iPhone, tap the lock button to the right of the waveform graph to lock and unlock automatic WPM detection. You can also manually set the WPM code speed using the plus and minus symbols that appear in the waveform graph, or the slider control on an iPad. There is a QRQ High Speed WPM Mode which will work better for code speeds in the range of 30 to 80 WPM. (QRQ mode also supports higher frequency dot-dash tones.) Please note that it is easy to mis-aim an iPhone's microphone so that its noise cancelling microphone will cancel out any Morse Code tones. So make sure to aim your iPhone so the the tones show up in the spectrum display. Also, please use the manual settings if automatic decoding does not adjust to the frequency, WPM or background noise threshold level. By default, the threshold (the signal level above any background noise required to detect a dot or dash) is set automatically by the AGC. But you can also manually control the threshold setting. On the iPhone or iPod Touch, tap to the left of the waveform graph to switch the manual threshold slider on and off. The iPad version also includes a switch to enable manual threshold control. A Histogram of the tone signal levels with a marker for the detection threshold level are displayed next to the waveform graph. In addition to the features of the regular HotPaw Morse Code Decoder, this Pro vesion of the HotPaw Morse Code Decoder also includes a RePlay function, which pauses recording and re-decodes tha previous 1 minute of audio input using the current manual settings. This is useful if you miss some code because the settings (audio frequency, WPM, and level) were not yet set for the signal you desire to decode. This Pro version also includes support for some International alphabet characters.

Screenshots

Morse Elmer4 screens
Morse Decoder Pro1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Morse Elmer at 81% against Morse Decoder Pro's 25%. Morse Elmer also leads on price ($0.99 vs $9.99) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 5 months). Morse Decoder Pro's advantage is iOS requirement (13.4 vs 17.6). On ads, in-app purchases 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 Elmer costs $0.99 and Morse Decoder Pro $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Morse Elmer ships an update every 2 months, Morse Decoder Pro every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Morse Elmer versus Morse Decoder Pro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMorse ElmerMorse Decoder Pro
Price$0.99 — better$9.99
Rating4.8 (187 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews81.2% of reviews — better25.0% of reviews
Number of ratings187 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.613.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMorgan JonesHotPaw Productions

Customer experience

Morse Elmer

All ratings187 ratings
Positive94.7%
Neutral2.1%
Negative3.2%
Written reviews85 reviews
Positive81.2%
Neutral5.9%
Negative12.9%

Morse Decoder Pro

Written reviews4 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative75.0%

Bugs and requests

Morse Elmer

Reported bugs

7 issues
  • Incorrect Morse code for some letters
  • Missing option to add letters (iOS 15+)
  • Text not displaying in settings dialog (iPad Air)
  • Drops last character in sequence reporting
  • Volume extremely low on headphone/Bluetooth
Show 2 more
  • App compatibility issues with current iOS versions
  • Support link missing from app

Requested features

13 requests
  • Higher speed support (beyond current limits)
  • Keyboard input mode for automatic scoring
  • Sending/keying practice capability
  • Extended session duration (30+ minutes)
  • Morse code reference chart in-app
Show 8 more
  • Variable temperature numbers in QSO mode
  • More diverse QTH locations
  • Standard iOS file picker integration
  • File deletion and organization options
  • Error-based scoring option
  • Practice timer reset functionality
  • Head copy practice mode
  • Custom word list creation

Morse Decoder Pro

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Morse Elmer

No in-app purchases

None

Morse Decoder Pro

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Morse Elmer free?
Morse Elmer costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Morse Decoder Pro free?
Morse Decoder Pro costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Morse Elmer or Morse Decoder Pro have ads?
Neither Morse Elmer nor Morse Decoder Pro shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Morse Elmer or Morse Decoder Pro?
Morse Elmer ships an update every 2 months, and Morse Decoder Pro every 5 months. Most recently, Morse Elmer was updated on September 23, 2026 and Morse Decoder Pro on September 21, 2026.

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