Comparison

CB vs Motorola Talkabout

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

Head to head
About

CB

This app simulates a global Citizen's Band radio, allowing users to listen to and broadcast conversations over the internet. It offers a social networking experience focused on real-time voice chat, with privacy features that obscure exact user locations. Paid subscriptions unlock longer broadcast times and remove limitations.

Highlights
  • Global voice broadcasting
  • Simulated CB radio experience
  • Approximate location privacy
  • Real-time voice conversations
  • Subscription for extended broadcasts
  • Social networking for voice chat
Features
Read full description

CB allows you to listen to CB app broadcasters for free, anywhere in the world. At its core, the CB app is designed to function like an old-fashioned Citizen's Band radio, but with unlimited range. An in-app purchase unlocks broadcasting so you can get in on the fun! Your privacy and safety are very important to us at CB. Because of this, your exact location on the CB map will NEVER show up to other users. Users can only see an approximate location for others (red, green, gold, and purple pins). This is because we intentionally and randomly move your pin on the map, somewhere within 50-150 miles of your actual location. What CB is: • A fun way to meet new people and talk to friends all over the world. • A social network for people who enjoy the personal touch of real conversation. • An easy-to-use simulation of a ham radio, a CB radio, and a walkie-talkie, all in one. What CB is not: •CB does not use Citizen's Band radio frequencies. It uses the internet. •CB is not a police radio scanner. •CB can NOT show you another user’s exact location! How it works: 1. Download the app and open it. 2. Listen to what other people have to say. 3. Press and hold your finger anywhere on the screen to make your broadcast! 4. Free users can broadcast up to 10-seconds, with a 10-second delay between broadcasts. Purchase a subscription to remove the delay and allow longer broadcasts. See below for details about the in-app purchases of auto-renewing subscriptions. And there's much, much more! We would love to hear your feedback! The CB team regularly checks in on CB, and you can Tweet us at @TheCBApp or reach us on our Facebook page at http://facebook.com/TheCBApp. The free version allows for unlimited listening, and allows you to broadcast up to 10 seconds at a time with a 10-second delay between broadcasts. The free version also includes ad banners for other apps from this developer, and potentially other links to indie creators. All subscription options remove banner ads and all remove the delay between broadcasts, as well as... Basic - $0.99 for three months (about a penny a day) - Gives you 15-second broadcasts. Pro - $2.99 for three months (about a dollar a month) - Gives you 30-second broadcasts. Executive - $9.99 for six months (less than $2 a month) - Gives you 60-second broadcasts. Royal - $35.99 annually (about $3 a month) - Gives you broadcasts up to 60 minutes! When you subscribe, payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal. You can manage your subscriptions, and turn off auto-renewal by going to your Account Settings after purchase. At the moment, we're not offering a free trial, but if we add that, the way it works is that any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription. Please see our Terms of Use at https://www.thecbapp.com/terms.html Please see our privacy policy, including information about how your location data is used, at https://www.thecbapp.com/privacy.html

About

Motorola Talkabout

This app enhances two-way radio communication by enabling location sharing, messaging, and track recording without cell service. Connect your smartphone via Bluetooth to control radio settings and stay connected during off-grid adventures.

Highlights
  • Off-grid location sharing
  • Off-grid messaging
  • Record tracks and statistics
  • Control radio settings
  • Bluetooth connectivity
Features
Read full description

GO BEYOND PUSH-TO-TALK WITH THE TALKABOUT T8xx series AND FREE TALKABOUT APP The TALKABOUT T8xx series allow you to share and track locations with your travel companions. No cell service, no problem. Just download this app, connect your smartphone via Bluetooth and you now have the ability to locate a friend’s campsite, share your current location and send messages - all while exploring off-grid. You can also control your radio setting from the TALKABOUT app. Skiing, hiking, hunting or at a music festival, the T8xx series have an IP54 rating and a range of up to 35 miles* to keep you connected no matter where your adventures lead. HOW IT WORKS The T8xx series two-way radio work just like every other radio by sending information using radio frequencies to keep you connected while off-grid. The secret to the T8xx series is once your smartphone is connected to your radio over Bluetooth, the TALKABOUT smartphone app enables communication options beyond push-to-talk. The TALKABOUT app uses the T8xx series as modem to talk, send messages, locations and more over the radio frequencies to your fellow T8xx series users. With enhanced communication and more information you enjoy unrivaled connectivity for peace of mind off the cellular grid. APP FEATURES: • Location sharing off-grid with ///what3words capabilities • Messaging off-grid • Record tracks & statistics • Push-to-talk from phone (select radio models; T802 and T803 only) • Features enabled & settings controlled by TALKABOUT App • Bluetooth connectivity to audio accessory (select radio models; T802 and T803 only) * The communication and data ranges quoted are calculated under optimum conditions, with an unobstructed line of sight. Actual range will vary depending on terrain and conditions, and is often less than the maximum possible.

Screenshots

CB4 screens
Motorola Talkabout4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Motorola Talkabout at none against CB's 10. Motorola Talkabout also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 26.0). CB's advantage is rating (2.3 vs 1.8) and review sentiment (46% vs 17%). On price, ratings volume, 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

Both are free to download. CB sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 3 months. Motorola Talkabout asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

CB holds the better App Store score, 2.3 against 1.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 64 and 38 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 46% of CB's written reviews are positive against 17% of Motorola Talkabout's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CB ships an update every 3 weeks, Motorola Talkabout every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
CB versus Motorola Talkabout: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCBMotorola Talkabout
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.3 (64 ratings) — better1.8 (38 ratings)
Positive reviews46.0% of reviews — better16.7% of reviews
Number of ratings64 — better38
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS26.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB40 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperBenjamin CarrollMotorola Solutions, Inc

Customer experience

CB

All ratings64 ratings
Positive26.6%
Neutral10.9%
Negative62.5%
Written reviews126 reviews
Positive46.0%
Neutral4.0%
Negative50.0%

Motorola Talkabout

All ratings28 ratings
Positive14.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative85.7%
Written reviews42 reviews
Positive16.7%
Neutral7.1%
Negative76.2%

Bugs and requests

CB

Reported bugs

10 issues
  • App crashes on startup or during use
  • Audio not working or no voices heard
  • Headphones not recognized after app switch
  • Screen turns black and app won't open
  • App closes when phone display turns off
Show 5 more
  • Random routing to speaker instead of headphones
  • Paid status shows but app won't function
  • Restore purchases links not working
  • Button presses unresponsive
  • App freezes and jams frequently

Requested features

11 requests
  • Background audio playback without screen on
  • Better tutorial or FAQ documentation
  • User profile creation with persistent handle names
  • Screen scroll functionality during broadcast
  • CB time frame for unified time reference
Show 6 more
  • Language filtering for non-English channels
  • Improved headphone auto-detection
  • Screen lock prevention while app is active
  • Better moderation and community management tools
  • Real CB radio connection capability
  • Country-specific channel filtering

Motorola Talkabout

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

10 purchases

CB

Subscriptions2
  • Basic$0.993 Months
  • Pro$2.993 Months
One-time8
  • Unlock Talk and MoreFree
  • Try All CB Features for a Week$0.99
  • Buy Longer Broadcasts!$0.99
Show 5 more
  • One Month Trial!$0.99
  • Premium Broadcasts Only$2.99
  • Buy All Features Forever - DISCOUNTED!$4.99
  • CB Combo Pack 1$9.99
  • All Features Forever!$12.99
None

Motorola Talkabout

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is CB free?
CB is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Motorola Talkabout free?
Motorola Talkabout is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, CB or Motorola Talkabout?
CB is rated higher. CB averages 2.3 out of 5 from 64 ratings, while Motorola Talkabout averages 1.8 from 38 ratings.
Do CB or Motorola Talkabout have ads?
Neither CB nor Motorola Talkabout shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CB or Motorola Talkabout?
CB ships an update every 3 weeks, and Motorola Talkabout every 3 months. Most recently, CB was updated on November 6, 2026 and Motorola Talkabout on November 2, 2026.

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