Comparison

PineTool 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

PineTool

This app connects to a specific soldering iron model via Bluetooth to display real-time temperature, power, and other operational data. Users can also adjust the iron's temperature set point directly from their device.

Highlights
  • Real-time tip temperature display
  • Live power value visualization
  • Temperature set point configuration
  • Voltage and handle temperature monitoring
  • Uptime and power source parameter display
  • Live charting of temperature and power
Features
Read full description

PineTool is a Bluetooth companion app for the Pinecil soldering iron. With it, you can: - See realtime tip temperature and power values - Visualise live tip temperature and power charts - Configure your iron's temperature set point - See realtime voltage, handle temperature, uptime, and power source parameters Please note that this app is only compatible with Pinecil V2 (green handle) running IronOS 2.21 or greater. --- This product is not endorsed, sponsored by or associated with PINE64 or Pine Store Ltd.

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

PineTool2 screens
Packet Commander4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PineTool at none against Packet Commander's 2. PineTool also leads on iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.2). Packet Commander's advantage is ratings volume (44 vs 11). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads 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

Both are free to download. Packet Commander sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per year. PineTool asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for PineTool against 4.9 for Packet Commander. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 11 and 44 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
PineTool versus Packet Commander: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPineToolPacket Commander
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (11 ratings) — better4.9 (44 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1144 — better
Update frequency—Every 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS16.0 — better18.2
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLachlan BellIsland Magic Co.

Customer experience

PineTool

All ratings11 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Packet Commander

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

In-app purchases

None

PineTool

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Packet Commander

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

Questions

Is PineTool free?
PineTool is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Packet Commander free?
Packet Commander is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PineTool or Packet Commander?
PineTool is rated higher. PineTool averages 5.0 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while Packet Commander averages 4.9 from 44 ratings.
Do PineTool or Packet Commander have ads?
Neither PineTool nor Packet Commander shows ads.

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