SharkRF Link vs PacketMessage
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SharkRF Link
Access the management web interface for your SharkRF devices using their unique identifiers. This application also functions as a transceiver for compatible devices.
- Open device web interface
- Use device UIDs
- Transceiver functionality
- Beta version access
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The SharkRF Link app lets you open the management web interface of your SharkRF devices based on their UIDs. You can also use the app as a transceiver in case the connected device supports this. Note: beta version, provided “AS IS” without any warranty of any kind.
PacketMessage
This app enables licensed amateur radio operators to send reliable messages directly over RF using their radio and a compatible TNC interface. It leverages advanced error correction protocols for robust communication in a decentralized network.
- FX.25 forward error correction
- AX.25 bit-flip error correction
- Software TNC or KISS TNC interface support
- Direct RF message transmission
- Decentralized communication
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PacketMessage fully supports FX.25 forward error correction and AX.25 bit-flip error correction. Send reliable messages over software TNC or KISS TNC interfaces. Decentralized solution, messages travel directly over RF via your radio. PacketMessage is intended to be used by licensed amateur radio operators. A valid amateur radio license, assigned callsign, and a compatible radio are required to send and receive messages. This app does not function as a standalone messenger.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: PacketMessage at 5.0 against SharkRF Link's 2.4. PacketMessage also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). SharkRF Link's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ratings volume (30 vs 1). On price, 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
Both are free to download. PacketMessage sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. SharkRF Link asks for nothing beyond the download.
PacketMessage holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SharkRF Link has 30 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
SharkRF Link ships an update every 3 weeks, PacketMessage weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SharkRF Link | PacketMessage |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.4 (30 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 19.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 30 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 18 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | SharkRF OU | Lukasz Skierkowski |
Customer experience
SharkRF Link
PacketMessage
In-app purchases
SharkRF Link
No in-app purchases
PacketMessage
- Small Tip$1.99
- Medium Tip$4.99
- Large Tip$9.99
