Comparison

Radio ID vs SDR

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

Head to head
About

Radio ID

This utility decodes two-way radio transmissions using industry-standard formats like Motorola MDC-1200, GE STAR, and Kenwood FleetSync. It also supports QuickCall II signaling, making it an essential tool for radio technicians and scanner enthusiasts.

Highlights
  • Decodes Motorola MDC-1200
  • Decodes GE STAR
  • Decodes Kenwood FleetSync
  • Decodes QuickCall II signaling
  • Useful for radio technicians
  • Helpful for scanner listeners
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Identify two-way radio transmissions made using Motorola MDC-1200, GE STAR, or Kenwood FleetSync radio identifier formats. Also decodes QuickCall II signaling format. (All formats trademarks of their respective owners). Invaluable tool for the two-way radio technician and a helpful utility for the serious scanner listener.

About

SDR

Control your Icom transceiver remotely or locally from your iPhone. Operate in all modes, log QSOs, and utilize integrated digital modes like FT8/FT4 and SSTV. No extra hardware is needed for global access.

Highlights
  • Remote transceiver operation
  • All mode control
  • Auto logging logbook
  • Integrated FT8/FT4 tool
  • Integrated SSTV receiver
  • Integrated CW decoder and keyer
  • DX-Cluster integration
Currently charting
Read full description

Software Defined Radio Client for Icom Transceivers and your iPhone SDR-Control Mobile is a full featured iPhone App to operate your Icom Transceiver at home or from around the world without additional Hard- or Software. Important: This App requires one of the following Icom Transceivers: IC-705, IC-7610, IC-9700, IC-7760 or the IC-R8600 Receiver or the new IC-7300 MK2 FACTS AND FEATURES: ■ Native iOS 26 app, backward compatible to iOS 17 ■ Compatible with any iPhone ■ Complete operation of your Icom Transceiver in all modes ■ Use the App local or to remote access of your Transceiver from any place without additional Hard- or Software ■ Logbook with auto logging, ADIF Im-/Export ■ UDP Log submission when using external logging software ■ Integrated full featured FT8 / FT4 Tool ■ Integrated SSTV receiver (NEW) ■ Integrated CW Decoder ■ Integrated CW Keyer ■ DX-Cluster integration ■ Call sign lookup integrated ■ Displays Calls on Map with heading and distance information ■ And much more... WHAT YOU NEED: - An Icom IC-705, IC-7610, IC-9700 or IC-7760 Transceiver or IC-R8600 Receiver or the new IC-7300 MK2 - The Transceiver needs to be connected to your Network (WiFi or LAN) - No USB cable needed or supported - An iPhone that runs at least iOS 17 Find out more here: https://ham-radio-apps.com Read the Manual: http://go-to.me/sdrcontrol-mobile-manual

Screenshots

Radio ID4 screens
SDR4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Radio ID at $0.99 against SDR's $44.99. SDR's advantage is rating (4.5 vs 3.6) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 7 months). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and chart position 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

Radio ID costs $0.99 and SDR $44.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SDR holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 45 and 64 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of Radio ID's written reviews are positive against 84% of SDR's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Radio ID ships an update every 7 months, SDR every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 15, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Radio ID versus SDR: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRadio IDSDR
Price$0.99 — better$44.99
Rating3.6 (45 ratings)4.5 (64 ratings) — better
Positive reviews64.3% of reviews84.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings4564 — better
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
Best chart rank#183#145 — better
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB47 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMatthew KaufmanMarcus Roskosch

Customer experience

Radio ID

All ratings45 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral4.4%
Negative28.9%
Written reviews42 reviews
Positive64.3%
Neutral4.8%
Negative31.0%

SDR

All ratings64 ratings
Positive89.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative10.9%
Written reviews69 reviews
Positive84.1%
Neutral5.8%
Negative10.1%

Bugs and requests

Radio ID

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

SDR

Reported bugs

12 issues
  • Dialogs do not scale with larger text setting
  • Frequency display overlaps buttons
  • FT8 decoding issues (lower signal levels than WSJTX)
  • App crashes and leaves radio in transmit
  • Logbook export not functional after update
Show 7 more
  • Function button for horizontal scrolling not fully displayed
  • FT8 decode is useless and unreliable
  • Messed up radio, requiring reset
  • RX audio unusable outside home network (prior to 1.5.1)
  • Struggles with audio RX packets on remote cellular networks
  • Cannot work over mobile data with certain carriers (EE)
  • FT8 alerts sound but don't display

Requested features

14 requests
  • Develop for IC-7800
  • CarPlay support
  • Apple Watch add-on
  • Windows version
  • JS8call support
Show 9 more
  • More digital modes
  • Display memory bank names
  • Initiate memory scan from app
  • WSPR implementation
  • Tool for WSPR
  • More FT8/FT4 features (e.g., setting transmit frequency directly in FT8 view)
  • Send image to unit
  • KISS TNC support
  • Control digital modes (reflectors, etc.)

In-app purchases

None

Radio ID

No in-app purchases

None

SDR

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Radio ID free?
Radio ID costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is SDR free?
SDR costs $44.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Radio ID or SDR?
SDR is rated higher. Radio ID averages 3.6 out of 5 from 45 ratings, while SDR averages 4.5 from 64 ratings.
Do Radio ID or SDR have ads?
Neither Radio ID nor SDR shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Radio ID or SDR?
Radio ID ships an update every 7 months, and SDR every 2 weeks. Most recently, Radio ID was updated on October 15, 2026 and SDR on October 15, 2026.
Which is more popular, Radio ID or SDR?
Radio ID currently peaks at #183 in the App Store charts, and SDR at #145. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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