Comparison

iFTx vs RS

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

Head to head
About

iFTx

This app enables seamless communication using FT8 and FT4 digital modes directly from your iOS device. Enjoy portable digital connections, effortless operation with a user-friendly interface, and reliable performance for global contact.

Highlights
  • FT8 and FT4 digital modes
  • Portable digital communication
  • Global operator connections
  • User-friendly interface
  • Integrated QSO logging
Features
Read full description

Introducing iFTx: The Essential iOS App for FT8 and FT4 Digital Modes! - Seamlessly Engage: iFTx brings FT8 and FT4 digital modes to your iOS device, enabling convenient and portable digital communication. - Anytime, Anywhere: Enjoy the flexibility to connect with operators globally from the comfort of your iOS device. - Effortless Operation: Navigate the user-friendly interface for quick setup and real-time messaging. - Reliable Performance: Experience clear signals and adapt to changing propagation conditions with ease. - Log Your Success: Keep track of your contacts effortlessly with integrated QSO logging.

About

RS

This app expands D-STAR transceiver capabilities over the internet using Terminal or Access Point modes. It allows communication even outside of repeater range by routing signals through your device via cellular or Wi-Fi networks.

Highlights
  • Terminal mode for internet-based transceiver communication
  • Access Point mode to function as a Wireless LAN access point
  • Expands D-STAR capabilities beyond repeater range
  • Utilizes internet, LTE, or 5G networks for signal transmission
  • Requires public IP address for gateway operation
Features
Read full description

[Features] The RS-MS3I is an iPhone or iPad application designed to expand the DV mode capability of a D-STAR transceiver using a Terminal or an Access Point mode. These modes enable D-STAR operations by sending signals from the D-STAR transceiver over the Internet, even when that transceiver is out of the range of a D-STAR repeater. The transceiver sends your voice signals using an Internet, LTE, or 5G network, through an iPhone or iPad. 1. Terminal mode By operating the D-STAR transceiver through the iPhone or iPad, you can contact other D-STAR transceivers. In the Terminal mode, the transceiver will not transmit an RF signal, even if [PTT] is held down, because the microphone audio signal is transmitted through an Internet, LTE, or 5G network. 2. Access Point mode In this mode, the D-STAR transceiver functions as a Wireless LAN access point. The D-STAR transceiver repeats the received signal from the iPhone or iPad, to other D-STAR transceivers. Refer to the instruction manual (PDF) for setting details. The instruction manual can be downloaded from the ICOM website. (URL: https://www.icomjapan.com/support/manual/) [Device requirements] iOS15 or later [Usable transceivers] (As of March 2026) - ID-52A PLUS or ID-52E PLUS Note: - This application operates on iPhone or iPad as a gateway server on the D-STAR system. Therefore, a public IP address must be set on either the iPhone, iPad, or the Wireless LAN router. - Ask your mobile carrier or ISP for a public IP address. According to the contract, communication charges and/or communication packet limits may occur. - Ask your mobile carrier, ISP, or manufacturer of your iPhone, iPad, or router about public IP setting details. - Icom does not guarantee that the RS-MS3I works on all iPhone and iPad. It may not work properly, depending on the OS version, installed applications, or other reasons. - When a Bluetooth headset is connected to the transceiver, depending on the combination of your iPhone or iPad and the Bluetooth headset, sound may be interrupted, and communication may not be possible. In such cases, please disconnect the Bluetooth headset before use. - Turn OFF the Wireless LAN function when communicating through an LTE or 5G network. - Operate your transceiver with the RS-MS3I in compliance with appropriate regulations. - Icom recommends that you operate them with a club station license.

Screenshots

iFTx4 screens
RS4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: iFTx at 72% against RS's 14%. iFTx also leads on rating (4.2 vs 3.0) and ratings volume (70 vs 3). RS's advantage is price (Free vs $1.99). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

RS is free to download; iFTx costs $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

iFTx holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: iFTx has 70 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 72% of iFTx's written reviews are positive against 14% of RS's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iFTx ships an update every 6 months, RS every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
iFTx versus RS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriFTxRS
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating4.2 (70 ratings) — better3.0 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews71.8% of reviews — better14.3% of reviews
Number of ratings70 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsEvery 4 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChristoph NadigICOM INCORPORATED

Customer experience

iFTx

All ratings70 ratings
Positive75.7%
Neutral18.6%
Negative5.7%
Written reviews85 reviews
Positive71.8%
Neutral18.8%
Negative9.4%

RS

All ratings3 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral33.3%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive14.3%
Neutral14.3%
Negative71.4%

In-app purchases

None

iFTx

No in-app purchases

None

RS

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is iFTx free?
iFTx costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is RS free?
RS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, iFTx or RS?
iFTx is rated higher. iFTx averages 4.2 out of 5 from 70 ratings, while RS averages 3.0 from 3 ratings.
Do iFTx or RS have ads?
Neither iFTx nor RS shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iFTx or RS?
iFTx ships an update every 6 months, and RS every 4 months. Most recently, iFTx was updated on October 16, 2026 and RS on October 3, 2026.

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