Comparison

Global Skywave vs Cadence

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

Head to head
About

Global Skywave

Discover and connect with radio operators worldwide on a real-time map. Communicate directly with others, receive custom alerts, and utilize built-in calculation tools for radio operations. This app makes global radio communication accessible and engaging.

Highlights
  • Real-time operator map
  • Direct operator messaging
  • Customizable alerts
  • Built-in calculation tools
  • Detailed station profiles
Features
Read full description

Step into the world of radio like never before. Global Skywave is the ultimate companion for radio operators - whether you're a licensed ham veteran, an aspiring enthusiast, or active military. Discover operators around the globe, establish communication, and grow within a vibrant international community, all from the palm of your hand. Real-Time Operator Map Explore an interactive, live-updating map of radio stations worldwide. Tap any pin to view detailed station profiles, including call signs, frequency details, and more. Operator Messaging Chat directly with fellow operators. Coordinate frequencies, exchange insights, or just strike up a global conversation - wherever, whenever. Custom Alerts Get notified the moment a station operator messages you, or when new stations are available in your area. Never miss an opportunity to connect. Built-In Calculation Tools Need to calculate wavelength or LOS distance? Leave it to Global Skywave’s built-in tools to calculate all the important information you need, with the click of a button. Whether you’re logging contacts or just tuning in, Global Skywave bridges the distance between hobby and connection. Built with a modern, intuitive design, it makes global communication easier, smarter, and more engaging than ever before.

About

Cadence

Features
Read full description

Cadence is a quiet, single-screen focus timer. Open it, press start, and it runs your whole working session — focus, break, focus, break, four times over, then a long break — and starts again until you stop it. Buy it once and it is yours. No subscription, no account, no ads, no analytics. Nothing leaves your phone. KEEPS TIME, WHATEVER YOU DO The timer is anchored to the clock, not to a ticking counter. Lock your phone, switch apps, or force-quit — when you come back, it is exactly where it should be. Alerts for every phase change are scheduled the moment you press start, so they arrive on time with the app closed. ON YOUR LOCK SCREEN AND IN STANDBY A Live Activity shows the countdown and progress ring on the Lock Screen and in the Dynamic Island. Put the phone on a charger on its side and StandBy turns it into a full-screen desk clock for the session. MADE YOUR WAY • Set each phase length — focus 5 to 90 minutes, short break 1 to 30, long break 5 to 60 • Pick an accent colour for each phase from eight curated tones; the whole screen follows it • Choose a glyph for each phase from a set chosen to suit it • Two tidy settings tabs: Timer and Appearance IN CONTROL, ALWAYS • Pause and resume with a tap anywhere on the dial • Restart just the current phase when a session gets interrupted • Skip ahead to the next phase • Stop and return to the top of the cycle • A cycle track shows all eight segments to scale, so you always know where you are HANDS-FREE Start, pause or stop from Siri or the Shortcuts app. Assign "Start or Pause Cadence" to the Action Button and begin a focus session without unlocking your phone. THOUGHTFUL DETAILS • Alerts can be marked time-sensitive so they arrive during a Focus • Optional alert sound, and an option to keep the screen awake while running • A proper landscape layout, not a stretched portrait one • Dark by design, easy on the eyes at night Cadence does not collect, transmit, or share any data.

Screenshots

Global Skywave4 screens
Cadence4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Global Skywave at Free against Cadence's $0.99. Global Skywave also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). Cadence's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On update cadence and in-app purchases 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

Global Skywave is free to download; Cadence costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Global Skywave ships an update daily, Cadence every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 5 level
Global Skywave versus Cadence: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGlobal SkywaveCadence
PriceFree — better$0.99
Rating5.0 (11 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings11 — better—
Update frequencyDaily — betterEvery 2 days
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationAd-supported—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.6 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size79 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNoah ClarkJoshua Eastman

In-app purchases

None

Global Skywave

No in-app purchases

None

Cadence

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Global Skywave free?
Global Skywave is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Cadence free?
Cadence costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Global Skywave or Cadence have ads?
Global Skywave shows ads; Cadence does not.
Which is updated more often, Global Skywave or Cadence?
Global Skywave ships an update daily, and Cadence every 2 days. Most recently, Global Skywave was updated on October 30, 2026 and Cadence on November 10, 2026.

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