# Grid Locator vs HamSat

The clearest difference is rating: HamSat at 4.5 against Grid Locator's 1.0. HamSat also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 10 days) and ratings volume (6 vs 1). Grid Locator's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (18.0 vs 26.4). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. HamSat sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Grid Locator asks for nothing beyond the download.

HamSat holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: HamSat has 6 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Grid Locator ships an update every 10 days, HamSat every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Grid Locator | HamSat |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/grid-locator/id6741041054/reviews) | **[4.5 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hamsat-ham-satellite-tracker/id6762450814/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **6** |
| Positive reviews | — | 66.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 10 days | **Every 2 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 2 MB | 11 MB |
| Requires iOS | **18.0** | 26.4 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [micro systems](https://appshunter.io/developer/1023315804) | [Vasco Barreiros](https://appshunter.io/developer/1451715392) |

## What reviewers say

### Grid Locator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/grid-locator/id6741041054)

This utility app determines your current Maidenhead grid square locator using your device's location services. It's designed for radio amateurs to easily identify their station's location and calculate distances and bearings to other stations. A companion watch app provides quick access to your locator.

**Highlights:** Calculates grid locator from current position, Uses device location services, Companion watch app included, Useful for radio amateurs, Shows distance and bearing to other stations

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### HamSat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hamsat-ham-satellite-tracker/id6762450814)

Track satellite passes with real-time azimuth, elevation, and Doppler-corrected frequencies. Features an Apple Watch companion for wrist-based aiming and pass tracking, and allows users to stamp photos with operational data.

**Highlights:** Apple Watch companion for pass tracking and antenna aiming, Live sky dome with real-time satellite arcs, Aim mode with phone compass and haptic feedback, Doppler-corrected frequencies for operating during passes, Photo stamping with callsign, grid, satellite, and UTC time, Offline satellite tracking and propagation, Geostationary satellite tracking

**Features:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| HamSat Pro | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Grid Locator free?

Grid Locator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is HamSat free?

HamSat is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Grid Locator or HamSat?

HamSat is rated higher. Grid Locator averages 1.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while HamSat averages 4.5 from 6 ratings.

### Do Grid Locator or HamSat have ads?

Neither Grid Locator nor HamSat shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Grid Locator or HamSat?

Grid Locator ships an update every 10 days, and HamSat every 2 days. Most recently, Grid Locator was updated on October 28, 2026 and HamSat on October 31, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*