Comparison

RS vs RadioMail

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

Head to head
About

RS

This app expands D-STAR transceiver capabilities over the internet using Terminal or Access Point modes. It allows communication even outside of repeater range by routing signals through your device via cellular or Wi-Fi networks.

Highlights
  • Terminal mode for internet-based transceiver communication
  • Access Point mode to function as a Wireless LAN access point
  • Expands D-STAR capabilities beyond repeater range
  • Utilizes internet, LTE, or 5G networks for signal transmission
  • Requires public IP address for gateway operation
Features
Read full description

[Features] The RS-MS3I is an iPhone or iPad application designed to expand the DV mode capability of a D-STAR transceiver using a Terminal or an Access Point mode. These modes enable D-STAR operations by sending signals from the D-STAR transceiver over the Internet, even when that transceiver is out of the range of a D-STAR repeater. The transceiver sends your voice signals using an Internet, LTE, or 5G network, through an iPhone or iPad. 1. Terminal mode By operating the D-STAR transceiver through the iPhone or iPad, you can contact other D-STAR transceivers. In the Terminal mode, the transceiver will not transmit an RF signal, even if [PTT] is held down, because the microphone audio signal is transmitted through an Internet, LTE, or 5G network. 2. Access Point mode In this mode, the D-STAR transceiver functions as a Wireless LAN access point. The D-STAR transceiver repeats the received signal from the iPhone or iPad, to other D-STAR transceivers. Refer to the instruction manual (PDF) for setting details. The instruction manual can be downloaded from the ICOM website. (URL: https://www.icomjapan.com/support/manual/) [Device requirements] iOS15 or later [Usable transceivers] (As of March 2026) - ID-52A PLUS or ID-52E PLUS Note: - This application operates on iPhone or iPad as a gateway server on the D-STAR system. Therefore, a public IP address must be set on either the iPhone, iPad, or the Wireless LAN router. - Ask your mobile carrier or ISP for a public IP address. According to the contract, communication charges and/or communication packet limits may occur. - Ask your mobile carrier, ISP, or manufacturer of your iPhone, iPad, or router about public IP setting details. - Icom does not guarantee that the RS-MS3I works on all iPhone and iPad. It may not work properly, depending on the OS version, installed applications, or other reasons. - When a Bluetooth headset is connected to the transceiver, depending on the combination of your iPhone or iPad and the Bluetooth headset, sound may be interrupted, and communication may not be possible. In such cases, please disconnect the Bluetooth headset before use. - Turn OFF the Wireless LAN function when communicating through an LTE or 5G network. - Operate your transceiver with the RS-MS3I in compliance with appropriate regulations. - Icom recommends that you operate them with a club station license.

About

RadioMail

Access the Winlink amateur radio email system from your Apple devices. Send and receive messages over the internet or amateur radio, manage your inbox, and stay connected off-grid. Requires a valid amateur radio license.

Highlights
  • Send/receive email over internet or radio
  • Background message checking
  • Connect via Packet, ARDOP, VARA FM/HF
  • Peer-to-peer email exchange
  • Winlink station directory with best path prediction
  • Smart mailboxes for organization
  • Send resized photos over radio
  • Compose and view Winlink forms
Features
Read full description

RadioMail gives you access to the Winlink amateur radio email system from your iPhone, iPad, and Apple Silicon Mac. Send and receive email over the internet or amateur radio, manage your messages, and stay connected when you’re away from traditional communications. A valid amateur radio license is required. SEND YOUR WAY Send and receive email over Wi-Fi or cellular when you’re online, or hold messages for your next radio session. RadioMail can also check for new messages in the background and notify you when they arrive. GET ON THE AIR Connect to Winlink stations using Packet, ARDOP, or VARA FM and HF. RadioMail works with a growing range of radios, TNCs, and software modems, and lets you save multiple devices so they’re ready when you need them. Supported radios: * BTECH UV-PRO, UV-50PRO * VERO VR-N76, VR-N7600 * RADIODITY GA-5WB, DB50-B * Kenwood TH-D74 and TH-D75 with B.B. Link adapter * Icom IC-705 over Bluetooth + USB, or Wi-Fi * PicoAPRS V4 Supported KISS TNCs and software modems: * Mobilinkd * DigiPi * Dire Wolf * LiNK500 VARA FM and HF require a VARA modem running on a separate computer. Packet and VARA FM also support configurable digipeaters. PACKET AND ARDOP BUILT IN No separate modem is needed for supported setups. RadioMail includes built-in 1200 baud Packet and ARDOP modems that work with: * Digirig Lite * AIOC (All-In-One Cable) * Icom IC-705 PEER-TO-PEER EMAIL Exchange email directly with another station using Packet or ARDOP. RadioMail can listen for incoming peer-to-peer connections, making it easy for another station to reach you. FIND THE BEST STATION Browse the Winlink station directory and use Best Path Prediction to find stations you’re most likely to reach. Save favorites for quick access or add your own stations for peer-to-peer operation. KEEP EMAIL ORGANIZED Search your mail, flag important messages, and quickly find unread messages, attachments, forms, and today’s email with Smart Mailboxes. Select multiple messages at once when it’s time to clean up. SEND PHOTOS OVER RADIO Take a photo or choose one from your library. RadioMail can resize it to reduce transfer time over radio. Received attachments can be previewed, saved, or shared with other apps. USE WINLINK FORMS Compose and view standard Winlink forms without leaving RadioMail. Forms update automatically, and location fields can use your current GPS position. Search the Forms Library to find the form you need, or import your own custom forms from ZIP files. On iPhone, an experimental mobile layout makes supported forms easier to fill out on a smaller screen. SHARE YOUR POSITION Send your current location as a Winlink position report for publication on the APRS network. USE YOUR CONTACTS Send mail from your primary Winlink callsign or tactical addresses, and address messages to Winlink or Internet email recipients. RadioMail suggests people and lists from your Contacts as you type. MADE FOR IPHONE, IPAD, AND MAC Use RadioMail on the device that works best for you. On iPad, a three-column layout makes the most of the larger screen, and compose windows can open separately with Windowed Apps. RadioMail for iPad also runs on Apple Silicon Macs. STAY IN SYNC WITH ICLOUD Your messages, stations, and account information stay in sync through iCloud, so you can move between your devices and continue where you left off. RadioMail is independently developed and is not affiliated with the Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc. (ARSFI), which supports the Winlink Global Radio Email system. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

RS4 screens
RadioMail4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: RadioMail at 75% against RS's 14%. RadioMail also leads on rating (4.7 vs 2.4) and update cadence (every 9 days vs every 4 months). RS's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.5). 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. RadioMail sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $11.99 per year. RS asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

RadioMail holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 16 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 14% of RS's written reviews are positive against 75% of RadioMail's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RS ships an update every 4 months, RadioMail every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
RS versus RadioMail: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRSRadioMail
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.4 (5 ratings)4.7 (16 ratings) — better
Positive reviews14.3% of reviews75.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings516 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.5
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB16 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperICOM INCORPORATEDIsland Magic Co.

Customer experience

RS

All ratings3 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral33.3%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive14.3%
Neutral14.3%
Negative71.4%

RadioMail

All ratings10 ratings
Positive90.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative10.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

In-app purchases

None

RS

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

RadioMail

Subscriptions1
  • Yearly Subscription$11.991 Year
One-time1
  • One-Time Purchase$49.99

Questions

Is RS free?
RS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is RadioMail free?
RadioMail is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, RS or RadioMail?
RadioMail is rated higher. RS averages 2.4 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while RadioMail averages 4.7 from 16 ratings.
Do RS or RadioMail have ads?
Neither RS nor RadioMail shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RS or RadioMail?
RS ships an update every 4 months, and RadioMail every 9 days. Most recently, RS was updated on November 4, 2026 and RadioMail on November 5, 2026.

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