Comparison

Radio Messenger vs HAMmade GRID

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

Head to head
About

Radio Messenger

Communicate off-grid using amateur radio frequencies. Send messages, files, photos, and locations without cellular service. Supports APRS and enhanced direct messaging modes.

Highlights
  • Off-grid messaging
  • APRS messaging
  • Enhanced messaging
  • Location sharing
  • Offline maps
  • File and image sharing
  • Identity verification
Features
Read full description

Send messages, files, photos, and locations over amateur radio using your iPhone or iPad. Radio Messenger brings modern conversation to packet radio. Whether you are using APRS or experimenting on a local frequency, the app is built around messaging first, not beacons and maps. Use Radio Messenger with supported Bluetooth radios, KISS TNCs, or integrated modem with an audio adapter to stay connected when cell coverage is unavailable or simply not the point. Two messaging modes. One app. APRS Messaging Works with the existing APRS ecosystem. Send messages with acknowledgements, retries, delivery tracking, and optional Message Continuity tap into store and forward and internet delivery to help messages reach you even when you are away from the radio. Enhanced Messaging A modern radio-only messaging mode for direct conversations. Includes verifiable identity, delivery acknowledgements, read receipts, reactions, and support for longer messages. Features • Messaging focused Conversations, contacts, and multi-device sync designed to feel familiar and easy to use. • Location sharing Share your location or drop a labeled pin directly in a conversation. No automatic beaconing. You choose when and what to share. • Offline maps Maps are cached automatically so shared locations remain visible when you are off-grid. • Presence & On Air See who is active and recently heard. Share a short status and emoji so others know you are around. • File & image sharing Send photos and documents in Enhanced Messaging conversations. Recipients can accept or decline transfers. • Identity & verification Verify who sent a message and manage trusted identities for more confident communication. • Search & inbox tools Find conversations by name, callsign, or message content. Pin threads, mute alerts, and manage your inbox with ease. • Radio native Built for Bluetooth radios and external TNCs, with frequency control available on supported hardware. Radio Messenger is designed for licensed amateur radio operators and requires compatible radio. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

HAMmade GRID

Features
Read full description

Designed specifically for Amateur Radio Operators (Hams), HAMmade Grid is your ultimate companion for DXing, contesting, and field operations. The app now supports 6, 8, and 10 character Maidenhead Grid Locators, allowing more precise location information for advanced radio operations. Whether you are operating from your home QTH or working portable/rover; instantly find your Maidenhead Grid Locator, visualize the target station on the map, and point your antenna with precision. Key Features: -Precise Location & Grid: Instantly calculates your 6-character Maidenhead Grid Locator using real-time GPS data.  -Callsign Lookup: Enter any callsign to automatically fetch location, name, and station details. (requires paid QRZ.com membership) -QRZ.com & HamDB Integration: Log in with your QRZ.com account to access detailed profiles and station photos. No account? No problem. The app automatically falls back to HamDB public data for seamless lookups.  Band Availability Insight The app can now display the radio bands that are usable between two selected Maidenhead grid locators. This helps operators quickly evaluate which bands are likely to work at a given moment, making it easier to plan contacts, portable operations, and DX activities. -Smart Compass & Bearing: Calculates the exact Heading and Distance to the target station. The integrated live compass overlay helps you align your antenna directly to the signal source.  -Advanced Mapping: Visualize the target Grid square with Standard, Satellite, and Hybrid map modes.  -Unit Support: Switch between Kilometers (km) and Miles (mi) effortlessly.  -Dark Mode: Eye-friendly interface optimized for night operations.  -Multi-Language: Supports English, Turkish, Spanish, German, French, and more.

Screenshots

Radio Messenger4 screens
HAMmade GRID4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: HAMmade GRID at none against Radio Messenger's 2. HAMmade GRID also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 3 weeks) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.6). 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. Radio Messenger sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. HAMmade GRID asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Radio Messenger ships an update every 3 weeks, HAMmade GRID every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 5, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Radio Messenger versus HAMmade GRID: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRadio MessengerHAMmade GRID
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (6 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings6 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS18.615.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size39 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIsland Magic Co.Oguz Agceli

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Radio Messenger

Subscriptions2
  • Radio Messenger Plus Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Radio Messenger Plus Yearly1 Year trial$14.991 Year
None

HAMmade GRID

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Radio Messenger free?
Radio Messenger is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is HAMmade GRID free?
HAMmade GRID is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Radio Messenger or HAMmade GRID have ads?
Neither Radio Messenger nor HAMmade GRID shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Radio Messenger or HAMmade GRID?
Radio Messenger ships an update every 3 weeks, and HAMmade GRID every 4 days. Most recently, Radio Messenger was updated on September 5, 2026 and HAMmade GRID on September 18, 2026.

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