Comparison

KCMA vs qFT8

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

Head to head
About

KCMA

Features
Read full description

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.

About

qFT8

Features
Read full description

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

KCMA4 screens
qFT84 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard2 real differences Β· 4 level
KCMA versus qFT8: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKCMAqFT8
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 2 days β€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac β€” better
Requires iOS12.4 β€” better17.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size19 MB79 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChengdu KeChuang Institute of Science and CultureLuis Quesada Torres

In-app purchases

None

KCMA

No in-app purchases

None

qFT8

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is KCMA free?
KCMA is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is qFT8 free?
qFT8 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do KCMA or qFT8 have ads?
Neither KCMA nor qFT8 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, KCMA or qFT8?
KCMA ships an update every 3 weeks, and qFT8 every 2 days. Most recently, KCMA was updated on November 7, 2026 and qFT8 on November 10, 2026.

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