DX Toolbox vs DxQSO
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
Read full descriptionHide full description
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.
DxQSO
Access and manage your amateur radio logbook from any mobile device. This app synchronizes with your PC/Mac logbook software, providing real-time updates, filtering options, and QSL alert notifications. Upload and download log data easily for various operations.
- Real-time logbook synchronization
- Mobile access to logbook data
- QSL alert notifications
- Filter log entries by various criteria
- Upload and download log data in ADIF format
- Support for multiple stations
- Bidirectional integration with LoTW
Read full descriptionHide full description
DxQSO puts your entire operating life in your pocket — and instead of making you check, it tells you. When QSOs are confirmed or when you get a new confirmed DXCC, state (overall or band based) DxQSO let's you know with either in-app alerts or an email (your choice). Let your friends or club members also know. Find our what they are working on. It works with the logging software you already use — Log4OM, N1MM+, Ham Radio Deluxe, WSJT-X, SmartSDR, SDR Control, the POTA app, and more. Nothing to relearn. DxQSO connects to all of it and brings it together into one living record you carry everywhere. YOUR LOGBOOK, IN YOUR POCKET Your complete operating history — every contact, across every log and every station — on your phone. Browse, search, and filter by call sign, band, mode, country, or DXCC entity, and see at a glance which contacts are confirmed and which are still pending. At the dinner table, on the commute, or in the field, your shack is always with you. QSL ALERTS Any logging app shows the QSOs you have worked — that is just a list. What matters is when they become confirmed QSLs. When LoTW® or QRZ confirms one, DxQSO pushes an alert to your phone. No more opening your logging app to check. No more waiting to get back to the shack. ACHIEVEMENT ALERTS DxQSO knows what you are chasing. The moment a confirmed QSL earns you a new DXCC entity, a new state toward Worked All States or a new grid your phone tells you — with the award it counts toward. Your progress comes to you, in real time. DxSOCIAL — YOUR CLUB AND FRIENDS, LIVE DxSocial is private space for your club, team, and friends, built right into DxQSO. Your club or contest team gets a private area with group messaging, shared files, and forums to plan activations, contests, and Field Day. Follow your friends to see their real time operating activity and achievements as they happen — and share your own. It comes alive during Field Day, major contests, and DX expeditions. ONE RECORD ACROSS EVERY LOG Run a single logbook at home, or juggle a home shack, contest station, remote rig, and POTA field kit — DxQSO accepts ADIF from any source and consolidates everything into one searchable, always-current record. Keep the software you love; DxQSO does the bringing-together. REAL-TIME LOG CAPTURE The Network Listener captures QSOs automatically from SmartSDR, SDR Control, and any app that supports the N1MM UDP broadcast protocol. Log a contact at your radio and it is in DxQSO instantly — no export, no waiting. BUILT FOR POTA, SOTA & PORTABLE OPS In the field, DxQSO is your real-time pipeline to LoTW and QRZ. Upload your ADIF on the spot and DxQSO submits it immediately, or let the Network Listener sync every QSO as you log it. When hunters confirm your contacts, your phone tells you the moment they are credited — so you go home already knowing. DX-TQSL integration keeps your full QSO history with you whether or not you use LoTW. Sign up at dxqso.net and bring every one of your logs with you. 73 de DX Development Corporation If you choose to upgrade to a Member subscription of DxQSO, you will be charged $29.99 US each year as a "DxQSO" subscription in your Apple App Store account. The subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You may cancel at any time (by turning off auto renewal) using your Apple Store account prior to the day of the annual renewal. Please see our Terms and Conditions at: https://dxqso.org/terms and our Privacy Policy at https://dxqso.org/privacy. Logbook of The World and LoTW are registered trademarks of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). QRZ and QRZ.com are trademarks of QRZ, LLC. DxQSO is not affiliated with or endorsed by the ARRL or QRZ, LLC.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: DxQSO at Free against DX Toolbox's $3.99. DxQSO also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.4) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 9 months). DX Toolbox's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (68 vs 1). On 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
DxQSO is free to download; DX Toolbox costs $3.99 up front. DxQSO sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $29.99 per year. DX Toolbox asks for nothing beyond the download.
DxQSO holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: DX Toolbox has 68 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
DX Toolbox ships an update every 9 months, DxQSO every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 15, 2026.
| Parameter | DX Toolbox | DxQSO |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.4 (68 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 61.8% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 68 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Freemium — better |
| Best chart rank | #184 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 6.0 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 2 MB | 56 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Black Cat Systems | DX Development Corporation |
Customer experience
DX Toolbox
DxQSO
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
Show 13 moreShow fewer
- 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
DxQSO
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
DX Toolbox
No in-app purchases
DxQSO
- DxQSO Annually$29.991 Year
Questions
Is DX Toolbox free?
Is DxQSO free?
Which has better reviews, DX Toolbox or DxQSO?
Do DX Toolbox or DxQSO have ads?
Which is updated more often, DX Toolbox or DxQSO?
Other comparisons















