Comparison

Packet Commander vs SafeRadius

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

SafeRadius

This app provides a radar-style map of registered offenders in your area using public records. It offers situational awareness for parents, travelers, and residents to make informed decisions about their surroundings. View summarized details of public record information for registered individuals.

Highlights
  • Radar-style safety map
  • Displays registered offenders
  • Uses public offender registries
  • Summarized record details
  • Situational awareness tool
  • Apple Watch companion app
Features
Read full description

Stay informed about your surroundings with SafeRadius, a radar-style safety map built on official public offender registries across the United States. SafeRadius uses your location to display nearby registered offenders in a clear, intuitive radar view. With over 850,000 public records from official state and federal databases, you get at-a-glance awareness of individuals convicted of qualifying offenses in your area. Tap any marker to view summarized public record details, including offense type and key registry information. SafeRadius is designed for situational awareness and safety planning—helping parents, travelers, and concerned residents make informed choices about where they live, work, and spend time using data that is already public record. RESPONSIBLE USE: SafeRadius does not encourage harassment, doxxing, or discrimination. Locations may be generalized to protect privacy, and the app reminds users that listed individuals retain legal rights. Misuse of registry information may be prohibited by law in some jurisdictions. DATA NOTICE: Availability and completeness vary by state. Registry information may change over time. Always refer to your official state registry for the most current data. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION: SafeRadius offers a free 24-hour trial with full access to all features. A subscription is required after the trial period. • Monthly: $4.99/month • Yearly: $19.99/year Subscription features include: Radar display of nearby offenders Map view with markers Detailed offender information cards Apple Watch companion app with widgets Regular database updates Payment is charged to your Apple ID at purchase confirmation. Subscriptions auto-renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the period ends. Manage subscriptions in Settings > Apple ID > Subscriptions. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.gridbase.net/pages/privacy-policy

Screenshots

Packet Commander4 screens
SafeRadius4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: SafeRadius at every 3 days against Packet Commander's every 2 months. SafeRadius also leads on iOS requirement (16.2 vs 18.2). Packet Commander's advantage is rating (4.9 vs 4.5) and review sentiment (100% vs 80%). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Packet Commander sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per year and SafeRadius sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Packet Commander holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Packet Commander has 44 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Packet Commander's written reviews are positive against 80% of SafeRadius's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Packet Commander ships an update every 2 months, SafeRadius every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and June 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Packet Commander versus SafeRadius: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPacket CommanderSafeRadius
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (44 ratings) — better4.5 (8 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better80.0% of reviews
Number of ratings44 — better8
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS18.216.2 — better
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB411 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIsland Magic Co.Jacob Knight

Customer experience

Packet Commander

All ratings44 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

SafeRadius

All ratings8 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Packet Commander

Subscriptions1
  • Yearly Subscription$8.991 Year
One-time1
  • One-Time Purchase$24.99
2 purchases

SafeRadius

Subscriptions2
  • United States$4.991 Month
  • United States$19.991 Year

Questions

Is Packet Commander free?
Packet Commander is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SafeRadius free?
SafeRadius is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Packet Commander or SafeRadius?
Packet Commander is rated higher. Packet Commander averages 4.9 out of 5 from 44 ratings, while SafeRadius averages 4.5 from 8 ratings.
Do Packet Commander or SafeRadius have ads?
Neither Packet Commander nor SafeRadius shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Packet Commander or SafeRadius?
Packet Commander ships an update every 2 months, and SafeRadius every 3 days. Most recently, Packet Commander was updated on September 21, 2026 and SafeRadius on June 11, 2026.

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