KCMA vs qFT8
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side β with what reviewers say about each.
KCMA
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It is used to operate Kechuang instruments to realize non-contact viewing and operation of instruments. The source of operation of the upper computer of the instrument is expanded, and the popularity is improved.
qFT8
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qFT8 turns an iPhone or iPad into a digital-mode station for licensed radio amateurs. MODES: FT8, FT4, FT2, LQ8, JS8, WSPR, Morse (CW), RTTY, SSTV pictures, and voice (SSB). HOW IT CONNECTS TO YOUR RADIO - Audio: connect the radio's USB sound interface (or an audio cable). qFT8 listens to the radio and sends its tones to it; the radio switches to transmit by itself (VOX). - No CAT on iPhone and iPad: iOS and iPadOS do not let apps control a radio over a USB cable (CAT), so you set the frequency, mode and power on the radio itself. - qFT8 bridge: plug the radio into a computer on the same Wi-Fi and run the free qFT8 program there as a bridge. Then the iPhone controls the radio too (frequency, mode, transmit) and gets its audio over Wi-Fi. ON THE AIR - Waterfall and decoded messages, automatic QSO sequencing that runs only while you have TX on. - Your log, with ADIF export and import, and optional uploads to the services you use (QRZ, LoTW, eQSL, POTA and more). - Map of the stations you hear, band activity, POTA and SOTA activations. - Transmit is off until you press TX ON. qFT8 never changes your radio's power. On a Mac, use qFT8 for Mac (Mac App Store): it controls 70+ radios over USB (CAT). No account, no ads, no tracking. You need an amateur radio licence to transmit.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: qFT8 at every 2 days against KCMA's every 3 weeks. KCMA's advantage is iOS requirement (12.4 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
KCMA ships an update every 3 weeks, qFT8 every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | KCMA | qFT8 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 2 days β better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac β better |
| Requires iOS | 12.4 β better | 17.0 |
| Further details β not scored | ||
| Size | 19 MB | 79 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Chengdu KeChuang Institute of Science and Culture | Luis Quesada Torres |
In-app purchases
KCMA
No in-app purchases
qFT8
No in-app purchases





