ThinLine Radio Scanner vs DispatchLink
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ThinLine Radio Scanner
Listen to live public safety radio transmissions from scanner networks worldwide. This app connects you to third-party servers broadcasting police, fire, EMS, and emergency communications. Customize your listening with talkgroup management, favorites, and advanced controls.
- Real-time audio streaming
- Multi-scanner support
- Talkgroup management
- Favorites system
- Transmission history
- Alert system
Read full descriptionHide full description
ThinLine Radio: Police Scanner Listen to live public safety radio transmissions from scanner networks around the world. This police radio app connects you to third-party radio scanner servers broadcasting police, fire, EMS, and other emergency communications. IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER ThinLine Radio connects to third-party scanner feed providers and does not supply radio feeds directly. • Feed availability varies by location and provider • Some feeds may require separate third-party subscriptions • Feed quality and uptime depend on server operators • Not for emergency use or emergency response • Always call local emergency services in an emergency CORE FEATURES • Live Scanner Audio Stream public safety communications in real time with reliable background playback • Monitor Multiple Scanners Connect to multiple scanner sources and switch between active feeds instantly • Customize What You Hear Enable or disable talkgroups and systems to focus on the traffic that matters most • Quick Favorites Access Save frequently used talkgroups and return to them with a single tap • Review Recent Activity Browse transmission history with timestamps, systems, and talkgroup details • Advanced Scanner Controls Pause scanning, skip transmissions, hold channels, and avoid unwanted traffic • Professional Scanner Experience Enjoy a clean, dark-themed interface inspired by traditional radio scanners • Replay Missed Transmissions Catch up on important activity with playback support when available • Smart Alert Notifications Receive custom alerts for keywords and talkgroups when supported by the server SUBSCRIPTION BENEFITS ThinLine Radio offers optional in-app subscriptions: • Ad-Free Experience ($1.59/month) Remove advertisements for uninterrupted listening • AI Alert Summaries ($2.99/month) Receive AI-generated summaries of important alert activity • Support Ongoing Development Help maintain and improve ThinLine Radio Subscriptions automatically renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current billing period. Manage subscriptions through your Account Settings. IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT SERVER ACCESS ThinLine Radio connects to third-party radio scanner servers operated independently by server owners. The app does not provide scanner feeds directly. • Server access is managed by third-party operators • Some servers are free while others require separate subscriptions • Available systems and coverage vary by region • Third-party server subscriptions are separate from app subscriptions • ThinLine Radio is not responsible for server availability, reliability, or subscription management The app subscription provides ad-free listening and app features only. It does not grant access to scanner servers or radio feeds. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS • iOS 15.1 or later • Internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular) • Access to compatible scanner servers LEGAL & PRIVACY • Monitors publicly accessible radio communications only • Audio feeds are provided by independent third-party operators • Not affiliated with law enforcement, emergency services, or government agencies • Listening history is not stored on our servers • Subscription data is secured through Apple and RevenueCat FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q: Does this police radio app provide scanner feeds directly? A: No. ThinLine Radio connects to third-party scanner feed providers and servers. Q: Are all scanner feeds free? A: No. Some third-party providers may require separate subscriptions. Q: Can I use ThinLine Radio during emergencies? A: No. ThinLine Radio is for informational and listening purposes only and should never be relied upon during emergencies. Perfect for public safety professionals, amateur radio enthusiasts, news reporters, and community members interested in local emergency communications.
DispatchLink
Listen to live public-safety radio channels across Utah, with real-time incident summaries and mapping. Understand what you're hearing with plain-English explanations and track events as they unfold.
- Live police, fire, and EMS radio streams
- Real-time incident summaries
- Interactive incident map
- Aviation radio monitoring
- Unit tracking
- Transmission console
Read full descriptionHide full description
DispatchLink brings Utah's public-safety radio to your phone, live, and explains what you're hearing. LISTEN LIVE • Nearly 50 police, fire and EMS channels across Utah, Salt Lake, Davis and Wasatch counties • Tiles light up the moment a channel is talking • Tap the (i) on any channel to see the towns it covers, how busy it is, and when it's usually busiest AVIATION RADIO • Salt Lake airband: tower, ground, ATIS and more, free THE MAP (PLUS) • Every incident heard on the radio, on one map • Pick live now, the last hour, today or the week • One tap shows every crash, and tap any pin to play its radio calls SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING • Incidents: calls turned into clear, plain-English summaries, grouped by town • Just in: what's happened in the last 15 minutes • Today's majors: fires, serious crashes and pursuits in one place WATCH LIKE A DISPATCHER • Console: every transmission as it happens, live • Follow any unit to see where it works and when it's busiest Built in Utah by radio enthusiasts. DISPATCHLINK PLUS Live radio is free. DispatchLink Plus unlocks the Map, Incidents and Today's majors. Plus is an auto-renewing subscription, billed monthly or yearly to your Apple ID, and includes a free trial for new subscribers. It renews automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel anytime in your Apple ID settings. DispatchLink is not an emergency service. In an emergency, call 911. Privacy: https://dispatchlink.org/privacy Terms: https://dispatchlink.org/terms License (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: DispatchLink at none against ThinLine Radio Scanner's shown. DispatchLink also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.5). ThinLine Radio Scanner's advantage is ratings volume (327 vs 2) and update cadence (weekly vs monthly). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model 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
Both are free to download. ThinLine Radio Scanner sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and DispatchLink sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
DispatchLink holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ThinLine Radio Scanner has 327 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 68% of ThinLine Radio Scanner's written reviews are positive against 50% of DispatchLink's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
ThinLine Radio Scanner ships an update weekly, DispatchLink monthly. Both last shipped on October 30, 2026.
| Parameter | ThinLine Radio Scanner | DispatchLink |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (327 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 68.4% of reviews — better | 50.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 327 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Monthly |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 89 MB | 8 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Thinline Dynamic Solutions | Nathan Hayes |
Customer experience
ThinLine Radio Scanner
DispatchLink
In-app purchases
ThinLine Radio Scanner
- Thinline Radio Ad Free$1.991 Month
- Thinline Radio Ad Free+Alerts$1.991 Month
- Ai Alert Summary Digest$2.991 Month
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- Scanner and Alerts7 Days trial$6.991 Month
DispatchLink
- Monthly Premium Access7 Days trial$9.991 Month
- Annual Premium Access7 Days trial$79.991 Year
Questions
Is ThinLine Radio Scanner free?
Is DispatchLink free?
Which has better reviews, ThinLine Radio Scanner or DispatchLink?
Do ThinLine Radio Scanner or DispatchLink have ads?
Which is updated more often, ThinLine Radio Scanner or DispatchLink?
Other comparisons















