Comparison

Radio ID vs Packet Commander

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

Packet Commander

This app provides a classic terminal experience for packet radio communication on mobile devices. It offers powerful terminal features, smart connection management, and real-time over-the-air traffic monitoring. It's designed for amateur radio operators to connect with nodes, BBS, and decode traffic.

Highlights
  • Full-screen terminal for packet nodes and BBS
  • Classic color themes and adjustable layout
  • YAPP protocol support for file transfers
  • Location-aware digipeater routing
  • Seamless iCloud sync
  • Over-the-air traffic decoding
  • Auto-discovery of TNCs
Read full description

Packet Commander brings a classic terminal experience for packet radio to your iPhone or iPad. Try it free. The download includes 5 full connection sessions so you can explore the features and confirm compatibility before purchasing. After that, a purchase is required to continue connecting. Note: An amateur radio license is required to operate on the air. Powerful Terminal • Full-screen terminal for interacting with packet nodes and BBS over amateur radio • Classic color themes inspired by iconic computers • Adjustable fonts and layout for readability and screen efficiency • YAPP protocol support for file transfers • Dictation-ready for composing messages hands-free • Smart filename selection — double tap to highlight and copy Smarter Packet Connections • Location-aware digipeater routing: automatically recalls the last-used path at each location • Seamless iCloud sync for nodes and digipeaters across all your devices • Compatible with popular packet node software including BPQ32, URONode, and others Over-the-Air Monitor Connect to your radio and decode over-the-air traffic in real time. AX.25 frames are decoded and presented in an easy-to-read format. • Filter traffic to display exactly what you’re looking for • Search by address or content • Export the log to a file for later analysis Works with the Gear You Love • Auto-discovery of Bluetooth and TCP TNCs, including Dire Wolf on DigiPi • Automatic frequency set/restore on supported radios • Built-in, high-performance 1200 baud AFSK software modem • Optimized for VHF/UHF packet at both 1200 and 9600 baud Compatible with the Following Radios and TNCs: Radios with Built-in TNCs (Auto-sets and restores frequency on those radios) · BTECH UV-PRO, UV-50PRO · VERO VR-N76, VR-N7600 · RADIODITY GA-5WB, DB50-B · Kenwood TH-D74*, TH-D75* · PicoAPRS V4 *Requires B.B. Link Bluetooth adapter Portable KISS TNCs · Mobilinkd TNC3, TNC4 · LiNK500 TNC · DigiPi · Dire Wolf Software TNC Audio Interfaces (Using built-in software modem) · Digirig Lite · Digirig VOX PTT Cable · AIOC (All-In-One Cable) Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Radio ID4 screens
Packet Commander4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Packet Commander at Free against Radio ID's $0.99. Packet Commander also leads on rating (4.9 vs 3.6) and review sentiment (100% vs 64%). Radio ID's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and chart position (#183 vs unranked). On 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

Packet Commander is free to download; Radio ID costs $0.99 up front. Packet Commander sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per year. Radio ID asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Packet Commander holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 45 and 44 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of Radio ID's written reviews are positive against 100% of Packet Commander's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Radio ID ships an update every 7 months, Packet Commander every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Radio ID versus Packet Commander: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRadio IDPacket Commander
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating3.6 (45 ratings)4.9 (44 ratings) — better
Positive reviews64.3% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings45 — better44
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#183 — better—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS16.0 — better18.2
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMatthew KaufmanIsland Magic Co.

Customer experience

Radio ID

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

Packet Commander

All ratings44 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Radio ID

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Packet Commander

Subscriptions1
  • Yearly Subscription$8.991 Year
One-time1
  • One-Time Purchase$24.99

Questions

Is Radio ID free?
Radio ID costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Packet Commander free?
Packet Commander is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Radio ID or Packet Commander?
Packet Commander is rated higher. Radio ID averages 3.6 out of 5 from 45 ratings, while Packet Commander averages 4.9 from 44 ratings.
Do Radio ID or Packet Commander have ads?
Neither Radio ID nor Packet Commander shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Radio ID or Packet Commander?
Radio ID ships an update every 7 months, and Packet Commander every 2 months. Most recently, Radio ID was updated on October 15, 2026 and Packet Commander on September 21, 2026.

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