DX Toolbox vs SWLog
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
DX Toolbox
This app provides real-time propagation forecasting and solar condition data for ham radio operators and shortwave listeners. It helps estimate HF propagation between any two locations, displays grayline maps, and offers detailed solar and geomagnetic readings.
- Propagation forecasting tools
- Grayline map
- Great circle path plotting
- Solar and geomagnetic readings
- Aurora prediction maps
- Ionosonde plot maps
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Are you a ham radio operator or shortwave listener, in need of up to date propagation information and solar conditions? DX Toolbox features several propagation forecasting tools, allowing you to quickly and easily estimate current HF (Shortwave) propagation conditions between any two locations in the world, and is ideal for the ham radio operator, shortwave listener, or other radio enthusiast. Radio propagation conditions can also be estimated between any two points on the Earth. Graphs of these conditions can be generated for a given frequency or time, and MUF/LUF graphs can also be displayed. A grayline map of the world is also available. Radio propagation between locations within the grayline region of the world is often greatly enhanced. DX Toolbox's grayline map makes it easy for you to determine where those locations are. Grayline propagation has been used by expert radio operators and DXers for years to catch elusive stations. A plot the great circle (both short and long) path between your location and another station is also displayed, as well as the beam heading and distance. The location of the currently transmitting NCDXF/IARU beacon can be displayed on the map as well. The propagation map displays the areas of the world where your signal can be heard (or a signal can be heard from), based on the frequency, transmitter power, and current solar flux, date, and time. Maps showing ionosonde plots of foF2, foEs, and hmF2 data from various locations around the world are available. The MUF and skip zone can be calculated based on foF2 and hmF2 values. Aurora prediction maps for the northern and southern hemisphere are available. DX Toolbox displays the following important solar and geomagnetic readings: Solar Flux A-Index K-Index Sun Spot Number X-Ray Flux levels X-Ray flares Solar Wind Earth's Magnetic Field Proton and Electron Flux levels Radio Blackout conditions Geomagnetic Storm conditions Solar Radiation Storm conditions Graphs of x-ray flux readings from the GOES satellites may also be displayed. The following radio propagation reports and forecasts are available: WWV Geophysical Alert 27 Day Space Outlook 45 Day AP Forecast Geomagnetic Data Daily Geomagnetic Data Daily Particle Data Daily Solar Data GEOALERT Daily Magnetometer Analysis Reports Hourly Magnetometer Analysis Reports Predicted Sunspot Numbers and Radio Flux Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity Solar and Geophysical Activity Summary Solar Region Summary Weekly Highlights and Forecasts Current Space Weather Indices Space Weather Event Reports Daily Space Weather Indices Summary of Space Weather Observations 3-day Space Weather Predictions SEC Space Weather Alerts In addition, 21 maps of current D Layer Absorption levels are available for display. Full documentation on how to use the app is available here: http://www.blackcatsystems.com/iphone/dx_toolbox_faq.html Get your copy of DX Toolbox now, and you’ll always be up to date on current radio propagation conditions.
SWLog
Log amateur radio QSOs and broadcast transmissions on your mobile device. Supports QRZ lookups and various broadcast schedule queries for station identification. Features GPS integration and local log browsing, with the ability to upload to a main logging program.
- Log amateur radio QSOs
- Log broadcast transmissions
- QRZ lookups
- Broadcast schedule lookups
- GPS integration
- Upload logs to main program
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SWLog is a mobile companion application to the full SWLog suite or logging and radio control applications. SWLog allows amateur radio and broadcast (shortwave, AM/FM, and utility) transmissions to be logged locally and later uploaded to the main logging program. QRZ can be used for lookups for amateur radio logs. For broadcast logs, various program schedules from ADDX, AOKI, EIBI, FCC, HFCC, ILGRadio, and SWSkeds are queried to aid in identifying the station. Features of this app include: * Download a preset list of locations, radios, and broadcast program schedules * Add an amateur radio QSO * Supports QRZ lookups * Monitor POTA spots * Add a POTA spot * Add a broadcast log * Supports lookups to various program schedules * GPS integration including calculating the current grid square to 10 characters * View/Browse locally added logs * Upload logs to the main logging program
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: SWLog at Free against DX Toolbox's $3.99. SWLog also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 9 months). DX Toolbox's advantage is review sentiment (62% vs 25%) and iOS requirement (6.0 vs 16.1). 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
SWLog is free to download; DX Toolbox costs $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
DX Toolbox ships an update every 9 months, SWLog fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | DX Toolbox | SWLog |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.4 (68 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 61.8% of reviews — better | 25.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 68 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 6.0 — better | 16.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 2 MB | 305 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Black Cat Systems | Robert Sillett |
Customer experience
DX Toolbox
SWLog
Bugs and requests
DX Toolbox
Reported bugs
18 issues- Missing calculations
- No images where they should be
- Dead links
- Missing information behind menus
- Half of info links don't download
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- Some downloaded data pages display only half
- Some graphs' X and Y axis are not labeled
- None of the maps work
- Solar images no longer work
- Graphs do not show values in the x-axis
- App crashes repeatedly
- Doesn't all work with iOS 15.1
- Propagation for Time calculation crashes the app
- Global maps show no change and remain black
- D layer maps show 0 MHz maximum frequency
- App returns to home screen repeatedly
- Setup menu requires manual lat/long entry
- Buttons under gray line map have unclear purpose
Requested features
11 requests- Add tips and definitions for parameters
- Implement dark mode
- Allow location entry by grid square
- More informative link labels
- Provide more detailed tutorial
Show 6 moreShow fewer
- Add option to display kilometers or miles
- Develop a Windows App
- Add VOAAREA functionality
- Use call sign prefixes instead of lat/long
- Improve user interface
- Better integration into iOS environment
SWLog
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
DX Toolbox
No in-app purchases
SWLog
No in-app purchases







