Comparison

trx vs ShackPilot

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

Head to head
About

trx

Features
Read full description

trx-control is not a standalone app. It requires a trx-control(7) installation with a running trxd(8) daemon that has WebSockets enabled. The app connects to trxd(8) using a WebSockets and displays all transceivers and extensions that have been configured for client access. The trx-control app is mainly used by radio amateurs to operate transceivers and other hamradio related hardware. Please note that in order to use the callsign lookup feature, a valid QRZ.com subscription is needed.

About

ShackPilot

Control your ham radio transceiver remotely from your iPhone or iPad. Stream live audio, manage CAT controls, and utilize a real-time waterfall. Supports ten digital modes for receiving and transmitting without extra hardware.

Highlights
  • Wireless remote transceiver control
  • Full CAT control (frequency, mode, VFO, etc.)
  • Live audio streaming (RX/TX)
  • Real-time waterfall display
  • Ten built-in digital modes (FT8, JS8, SSTV, CW, RTTY, etc.)
  • On-screen PTT with haptic feedback
Features
Read full description

Your shack, in your pocket. ShackPilot turns your iPhone or iPad into a wireless remote head for your transceiver. Live audio, full CAT control, a real-time waterfall, and ten digital modes that receive and transmit. No network adapters, no Windows software, no extra hardware. Run ShackPilot on the Mac that's connected to your radio via USB, then operate from anywhere: check into your favorite net from the couch, work FT8 from the backyard, or chase DX from the other side of the world over VPN. SUPPORTED RADIOS - Yaesu, driven directly with no extra software. Fully supported: FT-710 (full CAT + wideband scope), FT-991A. Partial support: FTDX10, FTDX101D, FTDX101MP, FTX-1 - Hundreds more through hamlib: Icom, Yaesu, Kenwood, Elecraft, FlexRadio, Xiegu, Ten-Tec, Alinco and many others. Run the free rigctld alongside ShackPilot and that radio gets the same frequency, mode, VFO, split, PTT, level and meter control a Yaesu gets, plus its antenna tuner and, where the rig can report them, its memory channels. ShackPilot asks your rig what it can do and shows only the controls it really has. A guided setup screen writes the rigctld command for you, and it can run on this Mac or on a Raspberry Pi in the shack. - Generic mode, for a radio with no CAT at all: audio in, optional serial PTT, and every digital mode still transmits, CW included - More radios are on the way REMOTE CONTROL THAT FEELS LOCAL - Full CAT control: frequency, mode, VFO, split, TX power, filters, DSP - Low-latency RX and TX audio streaming with Opus compression - Live S-meter, power, SWR, and ALC readings - On-screen PTT with haptic feedback - Zero configuration: ShackPilot finds your shack Mac automatically on WiFi - Away from home? Connect over the free, secure VPN of your choice WATERFALL & SPECTRUM - Real-time audio-band waterfall with tap-to-tune, on every supported radio - Wideband spectrum scope on the FT-710 only - Customizable color maps DIGITAL MODES BUILT IN Ten modes, all of which receive and transmit. No external software. - FT8 & FT4: full QSO support with auto-sequencing, CQ calling, and auto-logging - JS8: keyboard-to-keyboard messaging on weak signals, with a heard-station list, CQ and heartbeat calling, and optional automation that answers SNR?, GRID?, INFO? and STATUS? on its own - WSPR: propagation reports every two minutes, with each station's grid and power. Send once, or beacon in a share of slots - CW: Morse decoded as scrolling text. Send with the radio's keyer, or as a generated tone with adjustable speed, pitch, and Farnsworth spacing - RTTY: automatic mark, space, and baud-rate detection on receive. Send at 45.45, 50, or 75 baud - Olivia: automatic configuration detection on receive. Send at any of the five standard presets - SSTV: receive with auto mode detection and a live progress view. Send a picture in any of 18 modes from Robot 8 to PD-290, cropped and scaled for you - Packet: AX.25, FX.25, and IL2P for VHF APRS and HF packet. Send as AFSK, or through a networked KISS TNC such as Direwolf - RADE: FreeDV digital voice. Hear it decoded live, replay any over, and transmit live or from a recorded clip QSO LOGGING - Built-in log with ADIF export - Direct upload to QRZ Logbook and Cloudlog - WSJT-X UDP broadcast for your favorite logging software HOW IT WORKS ShackPilot is one app for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Install it on the Mac in your shack and connect your radio. The Mac acts as the server. Your iPhone and iPad connect to it over WiFi or VPN. One subscription covers all your devices. Try everything free for 2 weeks. After the trial, ShackPilot is a simple monthly subscription which you can cancel anytime. Subscriptions fund ongoing development: new radios, new modes, and new features. Requires ShackPilot running on a Mac (macOS 15+) connected to your transceiver. 73, and see you on the bands! Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

trx2 screens
ShackPilot4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: trx at none against ShackPilot's 2. trx also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.0). ShackPilot's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 23 months). On price, ads and device support 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. ShackPilot sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. trx asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

trx ships an update every 23 months, ShackPilot weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
trx versus ShackPilot: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametertrxShackPilot
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 23 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS13.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developermicro systemsLukasz Skierkowski

In-app purchases

None

trx

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

ShackPilot

Subscriptions1
  • ShackPilot Monthly14 Days trial$4.991 Month
One-time1
  • ShackPilot Lifetime$49.99

Questions

Is trx free?
trx is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ShackPilot free?
ShackPilot is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do trx or ShackPilot have ads?
Neither trx nor ShackPilot shows ads.
Which is updated more often, trx or ShackPilot?
trx ships an update every 23 months, and ShackPilot weekly. Most recently, trx was updated on November 4, 2026 and ShackPilot on October 31, 2026.

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