# SharkRF Link vs PacketMessage

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | SharkRF Link | PacketMessage |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.4 (30 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sharkrf-link/id6444303804/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/packetmessage/id6758742785/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **30** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 19.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 18 MB | 1 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [SharkRF OU](https://appshunter.io/developer/1653736857) | [Lukasz Skierkowski](https://appshunter.io/developer/1280847319) |

## What reviewers say

### SharkRF Link

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sharkrf-link/id6444303804)

Access the management web interface for your SharkRF devices using their unique identifiers. This application also functions as a transceiver for compatible devices.

**Highlights:** Open device web interface, Use device UIDs, Transceiver functionality, Beta version access

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### PacketMessage

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/packetmessage/id6758742785)

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.

**Highlights:** FX.25 forward error correction, AX.25 bit-flip error correction, Software TNC or KISS TNC interface support, Direct RF message transmission, Decentralized communication

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Small Tip | $1.99 | one-time |
| Medium Tip | $4.99 | one-time |
| Large Tip | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SharkRF Link free?

SharkRF Link is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is PacketMessage free?

PacketMessage is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, SharkRF Link or PacketMessage?

PacketMessage is rated higher. SharkRF Link averages 2.4 out of 5 from 30 ratings, while PacketMessage averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do SharkRF Link or PacketMessage have ads?

Neither SharkRF Link nor PacketMessage shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SharkRF Link or PacketMessage?

SharkRF Link ships an update every 3 weeks, and PacketMessage weekly. Most recently, SharkRF Link was updated on October 21, 2026 and PacketMessage on October 14, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*