Comparison

SWLtools vs BT Control

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

Head to head
About

SWLtools

Read full description

SWLtools: The Companion for Shortwave Listening Enthusiasts SWLtools is an app designed specifically for Shortwave Listening (SWL) enthusiasts who want to enhance their listening experience. It records what you hear, shows you the band, and reads the digital modes that carry text on the air. Whether you are a hobbyist or a dedicated DXer, SWLtools supports your activity from the antenna to the logbook. DECODING THE ON-AIR TEXT MODES Point the app at a signal and it turns it into readable text. - Morse (CW). The app follows the tone by itself and measures the sending speed from the signal, so it keeps up with hand-sent Morse as well as machine-sent. A side panel collects the callsigns it has heard, and each transmission starts on its own line when the operator hands over. - RTTY, in both ITA2 and SITOR-B. - Weather fax (WEFAX). The chart builds up line by line as it arrives, and can be saved straight to your photo library. - ACARS aircraft messages, with the ones carrying a position shown on a map. Decoded text can be saved, reopened later and shared. All times, on screen and in the saved files, are UTC โ€” the way radio logs are kept. SPECTRUM AND WATERFALL If your receiver provides an IQ output, SWLtools displays the real-time spectrum and spectrogram. Visually explore the bands and gain deeper insight into the signals you are receiving. Where the two channels of a USB adapter do not arrive perfectly in step โ€” a common trait of audio codecs โ€” a sample-delay correction removes the mirror image that would otherwise appear beside every signal. AUDIO RECORDING AND STORAGE Easily record and store audio directly from your receiver. Capture signals from around the world and listen to them again whenever you want, or turn a recording into a video to share. OPTIMIZED FOR THE BELKA RECEIVER SWLtools was designed to work seamlessly with the Belka receiver. It is the perfect companion for outdoor listening sessions, letting you record your DX, explore frequencies with the spectrum view, or read a weather fax from the field. The app is optimized for low power consumption when displaying the spectrum and waterfall, making it ideal for portable use. REQUIREMENTS To use SWLtools you need an inexpensive USB audio adapter (ADC/DAC) connected to your iOS device. These affordable dongles typically provide a microphone input and a headphone output, which is enough to record, to decode, and to show a single-channel spectrum. A two-channel audio interface does more: it carries a true I/Q pair, so the spectrum shows the full band above and below the tuned frequency, and it is the only kind that can play the receiver's audio through the iPhone speaker while you listen. The app tells you which class of device you have connected and what it allows, and an audio diagnostics panel shows exactly what iOS is doing with the signal if something does not sound right. Note: please make sure your receiver is compatible with the app's features and that you have the required accessories for optimal performance.

About

BT Control

Features
Read full description

BT Control is an application designed for configuration and management of radio receivers equipped with Bluetooth interface, manufactured by DTM System. The simple and intuitive interface allows for quick preparation of the receiver for operation. REMOTE CONTROL MANAGEMENT - Add new remote controls to receiver memory - Edit descriptions and button configurations - Remove remote controls from memory - Import remote controls from backup files - Filter and search remote controls OUTPUT CHANNEL CONFIGURATION - Set operating mode (bistable, monostable, momentary) - Configure activation time - Test output channels - Channel descriptions RECEIVER SETTINGS - Change device name - Set date and time - Configure PIN code - Galactic code settings - Automatic daylight saving time - Turn off Bluetooth when not in use EVENT LOG - Browse event history - Filter by date and event type - Search events - Information about used remote controls BACKUP - Create configuration backup - Restore settings from file - Export and import data FIRMWARE UPDATE - Check for available updates - Wireless receiver firmware update OFFLINE MODE - Work with configuration files without connection to receiver - Create and edit .mbd files The application requires a Max BT radio receiver with Bluetooth interface manufactured by DTM System. Contact: maxbt@dtm.pl

Screenshots

SWLtools4 screens
BT Control4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: BT Control at Free against SWLtools's $3.99. On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

BT Control is free to download; SWLtools costs $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SWLtools ships an update every 3 months, BT Control every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference ยท 5 level
SWLtools versus BT Control: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSWLtoolsBT Control
Price$3.99Free โ€” better
Update frequencyEvery 3 months โ€” betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhone, iPad โ€” betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.0 โ€” better17.6
Further details โ€” not scored
Size5 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperStefano RampazzoDTM System

In-app purchases

None

SWLtools

No in-app purchases

None

BT Control

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SWLtools free?
SWLtools costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is BT Control free?
BT Control is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do SWLtools or BT Control have ads?
Neither SWLtools nor BT Control shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SWLtools or BT Control?
SWLtools ships an update every 3 months, and BT Control every 4 months. Most recently, SWLtools was updated on September 25, 2026 and BT Control on September 14, 2026.

Other comparisons