Morster vs Shortwave Guide
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Morster
This tool allows users to encode and decode Morse code using various input methods like a graphical key, camera light, or microphone sound. It offers features for learning Morse code, including references, charts, and interactive elements. Users can also communicate Morse code visually or audibly with others.
- Graphical interactive Morse key
- Translate text to/from Morse code
- Visual and audio Morse decoding via camera/microphone
- Morse code reference and learning aids
- Visual Morse communication with screen/flash
- Multiplayer Morse communication via Wi-Fi/Bluetooth
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Morster is the ultimate morse code tool for iOS devices. Morster can interpret morse code that is created using the key, light from the camera or sounds from the microphone. Playback morse code with configurable sound or lighting effects. Morster is rich with features for learning morse code. Feature List: Graphical Interactive Morse Key Includes short circuit lever Translate Mode - Translate text to and from morse code Morse Code reference, several forms of morse code reference Prosign Ready - Recognize or reference prosign codes QCode Ready - Recognize or reference QCodes Dichotomic View - Morse code relationship chart, great for learning Sticky Note - Display a list of morse code sequences for reference Playback morse code once or in a loop Visual Morse Decoder - Use the camera(s) to analyze morse code signals Audio Morse Decoder - Use the microphone to analyze morse code signals Visual Morse Communication Using screen effect or camera flash Notepad to display morse code Invert morse key function Game Center Ready - Morse with friends! Wifi / Blue Tooth - Morse with friends over Blue Tooth or local wifi network Configurable audio tone In depth help file included Visual Morse Decoder Morster can use the live camera feed to decipher morse code that is being signaled with light. The light source could be coming from a light, mirror or another version of Morster. Use the view finder to focus on the light source, adjust the sensitivity and the morse code will be translated and displayed in the notepad. This feature is only available on devices that have a camera and running iOS 4 or later. Speed tests using an iPhone 4 to signal an iPad 2, both running iOS 5, demonstrate decoding speeds upwards of 30 WPM. Audio Morse Decoder Morster can use the live audio feed to decipher morse code that is being generated using sound. The amplitude of the sound is used to trigger the morse key. When the sound is below the threshold, the key is released. The sound can be any sound, but must have a distinct beginning and end. Currently, Morster does not decipher morse code taps, where there is only the beginning of the signal and not the end. Speed tests using iPhone 4 to signal iPad 2, both running iOS 5, demonstrate decoding speeds upwards of 13 WPM. For faster decoding of morse code, we suggest professional hardware. This feature is processor intensive and performance will vary between devices. Morse Decoding Morster will analyze the speed that morse code is keyed and automatically adjust to interpret the code. This allows for slight variances in speed that will still be properly analyzed. Visual Morse Feature Devices that have a camera flash can use it to signal with morse code. When enabled pressing the morse key will also turn on the flash. When morse code is played back, the camera flash will be used in conjunction with the tone. A Visual Morse screen can be configured to use the screen to signal with morse code. The visual feature can use an image of a light bulb or a color. The shape can be circular or rectangular. Shutters can be used, with a modifiable shutter count and speed. This feature is only activated for morse playback. On supported devices, it is possible to use either feature or both at the same time. Translate Mode It is possible to enter text into the notepad and then convert it to morse code. It is also possible to use the morse code keyboard and enter morse code that can be translated to characters. Morse Code / Prosign / QCode / Dichotomomic View A list of morse code characters is provided in list form or as a sticky near the morse key. A list of Prosigns and QCodes are included. These are sequences of letters that have special meaning in different morse code applications. For example SOS = ...---... = Distress Message. A dichotomic view of morse code shows the relationship between characters of the alphabet.
Shortwave Guide
This application displays a real-time schedule of shortwave radio broadcasts worldwide, sourced from the EiBi database. Users can rescan for updates, view specific frequencies, and update the entire broadcast schedule database.
- Worldwide shortwave broadcast schedule
- Real-time station listings
- Frequency viewing
- Database updates
- EiBi database integration
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The app shows a schedule of shortwave radio broadcasting. Information taken from EiBi database. When you run the application, you will see a list of radio stations, broadcasting currently worldwide. To update the scanning time in the menu, click "Rescan". To view all the selected radio frequency specifically, use a right button. When you first launch the app, or to update the schedule database, choose "Update Database".
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Morster at $3.99 against Shortwave Guide's $8.99. Morster also leads on review sentiment (42% vs 20%) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 15.6). Shortwave Guide's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 10 months). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model 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
Morster costs $3.99 and Shortwave Guide $8.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Morster ships an update every 10 months, Shortwave Guide every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Morster | Shortwave Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3.99 — better | $8.99 |
| Rating | 3.6 (5 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 42.3% of reviews — better | 20.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 5 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 10 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 8.0 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 78 MB | 26 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Sunshine Valley Systems | Vladyslav Haliuk |
Customer experience
Morster
Shortwave Guide
In-app purchases
Morster
No in-app purchases
Shortwave Guide
No in-app purchases









