Comparison

Packet Commander vs HamRadar

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

HamRadar

Instantly find and connect to amateur radio repeaters with a comprehensive database and an aircraft-style radar interface. View detailed information for over 62,000 active repeaters across all U.S. states, with offline access and Apple Watch complications.

Highlights
  • Offline repeater database
  • Aircraft-style radar sweep
  • Integrated compass
  • Configurable scan range
  • List view sorted by distance
  • Apple Watch complications
Features
Read full description

HamRadar makes finding and connecting to amateur radio repeaters a breeze. Instantly see nearby repeaters at a glance—online or offline. The app includes a database of over 62,000 active repeaters across all 50 U.S. states. Every listing provides: Callsign Frequency CTCSS/PL tone Distance & direction from your location HamRadar features an aircraft-style radar sweep animation with integrated compass bezel, configurable scan range up to 25 miles, list view sorted by distance, and Apple Watch complications showing nearby repeater count, frequency, tone, direction, and distance. Perfect for mobile operators, hikers, travelers, and anyone needing fast situational awareness of local repeater activity. Subscription & Free Trial Information HamRadar offers an optional HamRadar Annual Subscription, which unlocks full access after the trial period. Title: HamRadar Annual Subscription Length: 1 year (auto-renewing) Price: $9.99 per year Free Trial: Try all features at no cost during the trial period. After the trial ends, your subscription will automatically begin unless canceled at least 24 hours before the trial expires. Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase (or after the trial ends if applicable). Subscription automatically renews unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel your subscription anytime in your App Store account settings. Privacy & Terms By using HamRadar, you agree to our policies: Privacy Policy: https://www.gridbase.net/pages/privacy-policy Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Packet Commander4 screens
HamRadar4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Packet Commander at 4.9 against HamRadar's 4.0. Packet Commander also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 67%) and ratings volume (44 vs 5). HamRadar's advantage is update cadence (daily vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (16.2 vs 18.2). 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 HamRadar sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $9.99 per year. 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 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Packet Commander has 44 ratings behind it against 5, 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 67% of HamRadar's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Packet Commander ships an update every 2 months, HamRadar daily. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and June 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Packet Commander versus HamRadar: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPacket CommanderHamRadar
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (44 ratings) — better4.0 (5 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better66.7% of reviews
Number of ratings44 — better5
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS18.216.2 — better
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB16 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%

HamRadar

All ratings5 ratings
Positive60.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral33.3%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Packet Commander

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

HamRadar

Subscriptions1
  • United States$9.991 Year

Questions

Is Packet Commander free?
Packet Commander is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is HamRadar free?
HamRadar is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Packet Commander or HamRadar?
Packet Commander is rated higher. Packet Commander averages 4.9 out of 5 from 44 ratings, while HamRadar averages 4.0 from 5 ratings.
Do Packet Commander or HamRadar have ads?
Neither Packet Commander nor HamRadar shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Packet Commander or HamRadar?
Packet Commander ships an update every 2 months, and HamRadar daily. Most recently, Packet Commander was updated on September 21, 2026 and HamRadar on June 6, 2026.

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