Comparison

Packet Commander vs Ham Radio Net Control

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

Head to head
About

Packet Commander

This app provides a classic terminal experience for packet radio communication on mobile devices. It offers powerful terminal features, smart connection management, and real-time over-the-air traffic monitoring. It's designed for amateur radio operators to connect with nodes, BBS, and decode traffic.

Highlights
  • Full-screen terminal for packet nodes and BBS
  • Classic color themes and adjustable layout
  • YAPP protocol support for file transfers
  • Location-aware digipeater routing
  • Seamless iCloud sync
  • Over-the-air traffic decoding
  • Auto-discovery of TNCs
Read full description

Packet Commander brings a classic terminal experience for packet radio to your iPhone or iPad. Try it free. The download includes 5 full connection sessions so you can explore the features and confirm compatibility before purchasing. After that, a purchase is required to continue connecting. Note: An amateur radio license is required to operate on the air. Powerful Terminal • Full-screen terminal for interacting with packet nodes and BBS over amateur radio • Classic color themes inspired by iconic computers • Adjustable fonts and layout for readability and screen efficiency • YAPP protocol support for file transfers • Dictation-ready for composing messages hands-free • Smart filename selection — double tap to highlight and copy Smarter Packet Connections • Location-aware digipeater routing: automatically recalls the last-used path at each location • Seamless iCloud sync for nodes and digipeaters across all your devices • Compatible with popular packet node software including BPQ32, URONode, and others Over-the-Air Monitor Connect to your radio and decode over-the-air traffic in real time. AX.25 frames are decoded and presented in an easy-to-read format. • Filter traffic to display exactly what you’re looking for • Search by address or content • Export the log to a file for later analysis Works with the Gear You Love • Auto-discovery of Bluetooth and TCP TNCs, including Dire Wolf on DigiPi • Automatic frequency set/restore on supported radios • Built-in, high-performance 1200 baud AFSK software modem • Optimized for VHF/UHF packet at both 1200 and 9600 baud Compatible with the Following Radios and TNCs: Radios with Built-in TNCs (Auto-sets and restores frequency on those radios) · BTECH UV-PRO, UV-50PRO · VERO VR-N76, VR-N7600 · RADIODITY GA-5WB, DB50-B · Kenwood TH-D74*, TH-D75* · PicoAPRS V4 *Requires B.B. Link Bluetooth adapter Portable KISS TNCs · Mobilinkd TNC3, TNC4 · LiNK500 TNC · DigiPi · Dire Wolf Software TNC Audio Interfaces (Using built-in software modem) · Digirig Lite · Digirig VOX PTT Cable · AIOC (All-In-One Cable) Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Ham Radio Net Control

Features
Read full description

QRZ integration for Callsign lookup. Check-in Management during Net including adding Comments/Notes after a Ham Checks in. And mark commented after check-in in case you miss one going through the list. Export Reports and Share, Email or Save to Files. Syncs with the Opensource Net Control App on Github under the GitHub user @crypiehef.

Screenshots

Packet Commander4 screens
Ham Radio Net Control4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Packet Commander at Free against Ham Radio Net Control's $4.99. Ham Radio Net Control's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 2 months). On ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

Packet Commander is free to download; Ham Radio Net Control costs $4.99 up front. Packet Commander sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per year. Ham Radio Net Control asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Packet Commander ships an update every 2 months, Ham Radio Net Control every 4 weeks. Both last shipped on October 30, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Packet Commander versus Ham Radio Net Control: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPacket CommanderHam Radio Net Control
PriceFree — better$4.99
Rating4.9 (48 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings48 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 4 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.217.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIsland Magic Co.Jason Faulhefer

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Packet Commander

Subscriptions1
  • Yearly Subscription$8.991 Year
One-time1
  • One-Time Purchase$24.99
None

Ham Radio Net Control

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Packet Commander free?
Packet Commander is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Ham Radio Net Control free?
Ham Radio Net Control costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Packet Commander or Ham Radio Net Control have ads?
Neither Packet Commander nor Ham Radio Net Control shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Packet Commander or Ham Radio Net Control?
Packet Commander ships an update every 2 months, and Ham Radio Net Control every 4 weeks. Most recently, Packet Commander was updated on October 30, 2026 and Ham Radio Net Control on October 30, 2026.

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