Comparison

Radio Messenger vs AllStar Node Control

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

AllStar Node Control

This app offers a streamlined way to manage your local AllStar node, replacing complex web interfaces with a modern mobile experience. It allows for quick links, directory searches, favorites, maintenance, and macro configuration. The app automatically scans your network and configures nodes for easy setup.

Highlights
  • One-touch quick links
  • Global AllStar and EchoLink directory search
  • Favorite node setup
  • Node maintenance tasks
  • Command macro configuration
  • Automatic local network scanning
  • One-time purchase
Features
Read full description

AllStar Node Control replaces heavyweight web apps and outdated mobile apps with a clean, modern approach to managing your local AllStar node. Save one-touch quick links, search the entire AllStar and EchoLink global directories, set up favorites, run node maintenance tasks and configure command macros. Node Control scans your local network for AllStarLink nodes and configures them automatically - just add your manager credentials and you're on the air! Your one time purchase helps support software made by a ham, for hams. No ads, no subscriptions, no surprises. Check out my other mobile apps for other great ham radio goodness. I also make the most capable mobile FT8/FT4 station anywhere. AllStar Node Control is not affiliated with or endorsed by AllStarLink, Inc.

Screenshots

Radio Messenger4 screens
AllStar Node Control2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Radio Messenger at Free against AllStar Node Control's $0.99. Radio Messenger also leads on ratings volume (13 vs 1) and iOS requirement (18.6 vs 26.5). AllStar Node Control's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). On rating, review sentiment, update cadence and ads 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

Radio Messenger is free to download; AllStar Node Control costs $0.99 up front. Radio Messenger sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. AllStar Node Control asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Radio Messenger against 5.0 for AllStar Node Control. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Radio Messenger has 13 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Radio Messenger ships an update every 3 weeks, AllStar Node Control fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Radio Messenger versus AllStar Node Control: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRadio MessengerAllStar Node Control
PriceFree — better$0.99
Rating5.0 (13 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings13 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.6 — better26.5
Further details — not scored
Size39 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIsland Magic Co.JONATHAN MARK SCHULMAN

Customer experience

Radio Messenger

All ratings6 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

AllStar Node Control

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

AllStar Node Control

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Radio Messenger free?
Radio Messenger is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is AllStar Node Control free?
AllStar Node Control costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Radio Messenger or AllStar Node Control?
Radio Messenger and AllStar Node Control are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 13 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do Radio Messenger or AllStar Node Control have ads?
Neither Radio Messenger nor AllStar Node Control shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Radio Messenger or AllStar Node Control?
Radio Messenger ships an update every 3 weeks, and AllStar Node Control fortnightly. Most recently, Radio Messenger was updated on November 4, 2026 and AllStar Node Control on November 6, 2026.

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