Comparison

Valiance Backbone for CW vs Wifi Rig CTRL

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

Head to head
About

Valiance Backbone for CW

Decode Morse code signals in real-time using your device's microphone. This app employs advanced FFT technology to accurately distinguish transceiver signals from noise, offering a high success rate for radio communications. It features a range of tools for signal analysis and log management.

Highlights
  • Real-time Morse code decoding via microphone
  • Advanced FFT technology for signal detection
  • Minimizes false decodes from noise
  • Morse Sound Recorder & Player
  • Export text logs and audio data
  • Predictive decoding for difficult codes
  • Tone and sound pressure measurement
Features
Read full description

Morse Decoder: Valiance Backbone for CW (VBC) VBC is the No. 1 Morse code decoder in the Japanese market, encompassing both paid and free categories. This app allows you to decode Morse code using the built-in microphone of your iPhone or iPod touch. VBC utilizes the world's fastest FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) technology to detect and decode carriers. It is specifically designed to minimize false decodes from atmospheric noise, voices, or beep sounds (square or trapezoidal waves). While it will not decode vocalized "dit-dah" sounds, it offers an extremely high success rate for decoding actual transceiver signals. (Please check our videos of real DX station communications). We believe its decoding capability surpasses that of many expensive dedicated hardware units and PC software. The carrier detection mode is highly effective, making it a truly practical tool for active hunting and pouncing in real-world radio operations. The default settings are optimized for the best performance balance. We recommend testing it with an actual radio (800Hz tone) at a short distance using the default configuration. Key Features: Morse Sound Recorder & Player Export text logs, audio data, and history via email Timestamp and cancel stamp insertion in logs Predictive decoding for difficult or connected Morse codes Zero-in Tone Indicator / Shift-in Indicator Tone frequency measurement (±5Hz) Sound pressure measurement (dB) Audio frequency response measurement & automatic correction Peak search / Manual frequency setting (double-tap screen) Automatic speed tracking / Manual speed setting (double-tap screen) Auto Level / Auto Threshold / Manual Threshold (double-tap screen) Noise reduction & waveform shaping via carrier detection Japanese (Wabun) Morse support Signal level adjustment Input Level Over-Range Indicator When the input level exceeds the range (Over-Range), the waveform becomes distorted, leading to poor decoding accuracy. If this happens, please move your device further away from the radio. (Avoid placing the device directly on a vibrating radio; maintain a sufficient distance. The app is designed to decode accurately even from a significant distance.)Supports decoding speeds from 5 to 40 WPM For more information and to see the app in action, please visit our YouTube channel for Real-DX videos and more: http://goo.gl/ALXAqH http://goo.gl/yEu3d1 http://goo.gl/7gp4yw Note: Due to scrolling issues on the decode screen since iOS 8, we utilize the following library for text display. Our sincere thanks to the developer: SECoreTextView Created by kishikawa katsumi on 2015/03/25. Copyright (c) 2013-2015 kishikawa katsumi. All rights reserved.

About

Wifi Rig CTRL

Features
Read full description

WifiRigCTRL is an iPhone / iPad app for remotely operating your amateur-radio transceiver via a Raspberry Pi or ICOM CI-V (Wi-Fi / Bluetooth). Features: - Real-time RX frequency, mode and S-meter display - Change frequency, mode, power, squelch and filter width - RX audio playback through the speaker (with noise reduction) - PTT on/off and microphone transmit - CW Morse send and receive-decode (BLE / USB-NCM keyers) - RTTY AFSK transmit/receive (on-device software modem or via the Raspberry Pi's minimodem, with spectrum display) - FT8 / FT4 receive-decode and transmit - Automatic FT8 all-decode log to ~/ALL.TXT (WSJT-X compatible) - Band Scope (CAT single-sweep / native ICOM CI-V scope, with POTA/SOTA spots overlaid) - APRS beacon transmit (GPS) - QSO log (ADIF export, POTA/SOTA references) - Operating-location (JCC/JGC, grid) registration and operating sessions - eQSL auto-upload, Smart Ham Log integration, PSKReporter spotting - Band memory, POTA/SOTA spot integration (SP2ALART) - Multiple profiles, API-key auth, WireGuard VPN - Direct Wi-Fi / Bluetooth CI-V to Icom IC-705 / IC-9700 - One-tap Raspberry Pi SSH setup ■ Requirements (Important) This app does not work on its own. You need one of the following, owned by you: A Raspberry Pi Zero 2W that is already set up (connected to your radio, with Hamlib/FastAPI installed), or An IC-705 or IC-9700 (for a direct CI-V connection) Connect either one to the same Wi-Fi network as your iPhone. Setup instructions and firmware for the Raspberry Pi are available on GitHub: https://github.com/ji1ore/M5CoreHamCAT ■ Intended Users This app is for licensed amateur radio operators who have a compatible radio setup. *This app contains no ads and no usage tracking. All data it collects is used only on your device and is never sent to an external server.

Screenshots

Valiance Backbone for CW4 screens
Wifi Rig CTRL4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Wifi Rig CTRL at Free against Valiance Backbone for CW's $3.99. Wifi Rig CTRL also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 4) and update cadence (every 2 days vs every 11 months). Valiance Backbone for CW's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 17.0). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Wifi Rig CTRL is free to download; Valiance Backbone for CW costs $3.99 up front. Valiance Backbone for CW sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Wifi Rig CTRL asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Valiance Backbone for CW ships an update every 11 months, Wifi Rig CTRL every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Valiance Backbone for CW versus Wifi Rig CTRL: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterValiance Backbone for CWWifi Rig CTRL
Price$3.99Free — better
Rating2.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews72.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 11 monthsEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS11.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size28 MB17 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNobJIRO UENO

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Valiance Backbone for CW

One-time4
  • Tip for the Developer$0.99
  • Standard Support$4.99
  • Premium$9.99
Show 1 more
  • Ultimate Supporter$29.99
None

Wifi Rig CTRL

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Valiance Backbone for CW free?
Valiance Backbone for CW costs $3.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Wifi Rig CTRL free?
Wifi Rig CTRL is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Valiance Backbone for CW or Wifi Rig CTRL have ads?
Neither Valiance Backbone for CW nor Wifi Rig CTRL shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Valiance Backbone for CW or Wifi Rig CTRL?
Valiance Backbone for CW ships an update every 11 months, and Wifi Rig CTRL every 2 days. Most recently, Valiance Backbone for CW was updated on November 1, 2026 and Wifi Rig CTRL on October 31, 2026.

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