# SWLtools vs Network Lab

The clearest difference is price: Network Lab at Free against SWLtools's $3.99. SWLtools's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 9 months). On ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Network Lab is free to download; SWLtools costs $3.99 up front. Network Lab sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. SWLtools asks for nothing beyond the download.

SWLtools ships an update every 2 months, Network Lab every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SWLtools | Network Lab |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $3.99 | **Free** |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 9 months |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Size | 5 MB | 40 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Stefano Rampazzo](https://appshunter.io/developer/396660919) | [Michael Lauer](https://appshunter.io/developer/300205595) |

## What reviewers say

### SWLtools

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swltools/id6618146941)

Enhance your shortwave listening with this app that decodes on-air text modes like Morse, RTTY, and WEFAX. It also features spectrum analysis, audio recording, and is optimized for portable use with specific receivers.

**Highlights:** Decode Morse, RTTY, WEFAX, and ACARS, Real-time spectrum and spectrogram display, Audio recording and storage, Save and share decoded text, Optimized for Belka receiver, ACARS position mapping

**In-app purchases:** none


### Network Lab

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/network-lab/id6737435505)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unbegrenzte Benutzung | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SWLtools free?

SWLtools costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Network Lab free?

Network Lab is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do SWLtools or Network Lab have ads?

Neither SWLtools nor Network Lab shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SWLtools or Network Lab?

SWLtools ships an update every 2 months, and Network Lab every 9 months. Most recently, SWLtools was updated on October 12, 2026 and Network Lab on October 4, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*