Feld Hellschreiber vs iFTx
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Feld Hellschreiber
This app decodes and transmits text messages using the historical Hellschreiber system, which sends characters as audio signals. It's ideal for amateur radio operators and enthusiasts interested in vintage communication methods. The app allows for both manual text entry and pre-set messages, with adjustable display contrast for optimal viewing.
- Decode Hellschreiber messages
- Transmit text messages
- Canned text message support
- Adjustable display contrast
- Real-time text scrolling
- Audio input/output via device mic/speaker
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Hellschreiber is a teleprinter system, developed in the 1920s, that transmits text via sound, much like an old facsimile (fax) system. Each pixel of a character is transmitted as a short burst of audio. It works even under very noisy and poor reception conditions, because your brain does the work of analyzing the received image to pick out the characters. It was used by the German military during World War II to send messages encrypted by ENIGMA machines. Today it is used by amateur (ham) radio operators around the world to send messages to each other via shortwave radio. Feld Hellschreiber literally means "bright field recorder". Hellschreiber is sometimes referred to as simply Hell. Feld Hellschreiber lets you decode and transmit Feld Hell messages. Decoded text is continuously scrolled across the top of the display. You can type in text to transmit, or press a button to easily send canned text messages, such as CQ calls. Sound is picked up from your radio's speaker via the internal mic in your device, and transmitted audio comes out the speaker - you can also connect a patch cable to your radio's mic input via the headphone jack on your device to transmit the audio, if you wish. The slider control adjusts the display contrast, and the indicator to the right shows the volume. Adjust the slider for the best display. To transmit text, touch on the text entry field, and start typing. Each character will be sent when possible. When sent, it will be taken off the left end of this field, and displayed on the right end of the transmitted text field, to the left of the entry field, in a scrolling fashion. Canned text buttons are also available, touch one to send the text stored for that button. To edit a button, touch the Setup button, and then select the button you wish to edit. You can edit the name of the button, as well as the text. To decode transmissions, you just need to run the app, and set it near the radio's speaker or headphones, and watch the decoded text appear. It's that easy!
iFTx
This app enables seamless communication using FT8 and FT4 digital modes directly from your iOS device. Enjoy portable digital connections, effortless operation with a user-friendly interface, and reliable performance for global contact.
- FT8 and FT4 digital modes
- Portable digital communication
- Global operator connections
- User-friendly interface
- Integrated QSO logging
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Introducing iFTx: The Essential iOS App for FT8 and FT4 Digital Modes! - Seamlessly Engage: iFTx brings FT8 and FT4 digital modes to your iOS device, enabling convenient and portable digital communication. - Anytime, Anywhere: Enjoy the flexibility to connect with operators globally from the comfort of your iOS device. - Effortless Operation: Navigate the user-friendly interface for quick setup and real-time messaging. - Reliable Performance: Experience clear signals and adapt to changing propagation conditions with ease. - Log Your Success: Keep track of your contacts effortlessly with integrated QSO logging.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: iFTx at 4.2 against Feld Hellschreiber's 2.8. iFTx also leads on ratings volume (70 vs 5) and price ($1.99 vs $2.99). Feld Hellschreiber's advantage is iOS requirement (6.0 vs 15.0). On review sentiment, update cadence, ads 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
Feld Hellschreiber costs $2.99 and iFTx $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
iFTx holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 2.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: iFTx has 70 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 75% of Feld Hellschreiber's written reviews are positive against 72% of iFTx's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Feld Hellschreiber ships an update every 13 months, iFTx every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Feld Hellschreiber | iFTx |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2.99 | $1.99 — better |
| Rating | 2.8 (5 ratings) | 4.2 (70 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 75.0% of reviews — better | 71.8% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 5 | 70 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 13 months | Every 6 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 6.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 4 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Black Cat Systems | Christoph Nadig |
Customer experience
Feld Hellschreiber
iFTx
In-app purchases
Feld Hellschreiber
No in-app purchases
iFTx
No in-app purchases









