Comparison

Packet Commander vs PSKReporter Client

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

PSKReporter Client

Visualize real-time digital radio reception reports on an interactive world map. Understand propagation patterns, band conditions, and compare your station's performance against others globally. Ideal for amateur radio enthusiasts seeking to optimize their setups and identify new contacts.

Highlights
  • Real-time reception reports on a world map
  • Digital mode activity visualization
  • Band condition indicators
  • Greyline and twilight propagation analysis
  • DXCC tracking
  • Station performance benchmarking
  • Grid-based exploration
Features
Read full description

Explore FT8, FT4, and other digital mode reception reports on an interactive world map. Instantly see where your signals are being heard and which stations you are receiving using real, publicly available reception data. Watch digital activity unfold globally with intuitive visual feedback: • Real time reception reports plotted geographically • Switch between I Heard Rx, Heard Me Tx, and Grid based views • Visualize propagation paths, distance, and bearing • Density visualization reveals propagation hotspots and patterns Designed to make complex propagation behavior immediately understandable. Band Conditions at a Glance Understand band activity instantly: • Traffic light indicators showing band status Active, Moderate, Quiet • Detailed per band activity metrics • Live band condition list with spots, transmitters, and receivers • Band activity graphs showing propagation trends over time Pro A fast and practical way to decide which band to operate. Greyline and Propagation Intelligence Go beyond simple day and night propagation with advanced twilight analysis: • Identify contacts occurring in daylight, night, or twilight • Detect paths crossing the greyline • Compare SNR and distance performance between propagation modes • Greyline Gain Index to evaluate twilight performance versus full daylight • Per band greyline statistics Understand not only where contacts occur, but why they occur. DXCC Tracking Pro Import your ADIF log and automatically detect unworked DXCC entities appearing in your current view. Even when your station is off the air, monitor activity in your grid and see if nearby operators are hearing or working countries you do not yet have. Identify real propagation opportunities and react faster when new DXCC becomes active. Benchmark Your Station Performance Pro Measure how your station performs compared to others in your grid. The Benchmarking view analyzes recent activity and compares it with nearby active stations: • Compare unique stations, distance, and SNR • View percentile ranking versus local peers • Understand whether your reach is above or below average • Distribution charts and leaderboard views • Works in both I Heard Rx and Heard Me Tx modes • Band and time window aware analysis Ideal for testing antennas, optimizing setups, and evaluating real world performance. Grid Based Exploration Go beyond individual callsigns with geographic insights: • Search and explore activity using Maidenhead grid squares • Grid View map showing stations active within your grid • Grid based statistics and charts • Compare propagation behavior across regions Ideal for studying regional propagation patterns and band openings. Advanced Statistics and Analytics PSKReporter delivers deep, band aware insights: • Statistics adapt to Callsign, Heard, and Grid views • Per band graphs and distributions • Signal to noise ratio SNR analysis • Distance and activity distributions • Band specific trends and comparisons Turn raw reception data into actionable propagation intelligence. Signal Aware Visualization Reception reports are color coded by signal to noise ratio SNR, reflecting real world digital mode performance including weak signals that still decode successfully. Powerful Filtering • Filter by band, time window, and SNR • Reduce noise in busy conditions • Tailor the view to your operating style PSKReporter Pro - Real Time and Advanced Features Upgrade to PSKReporter Pro to unlock: • Real time MQTT streaming with no polling delay • Benchmarking and station performance ranking • Band activity graphs and advanced analytics • Grid search and advanced grid analysis • Enhanced greyline statistics and visualizations • DXCC tracking with ADIF import and live new entity detection. Note PSKReporter is an independent client that visualizes publicly available reception data and is not affiliated with or endorsed by PSKReporter.info.

Screenshots

Packet Commander4 screens
PSKReporter Client4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Packet Commander at 100% against PSKReporter Client's 0%. Packet Commander also leads on rating (4.9 vs 1.0) and ratings volume (44 vs 2). PSKReporter Client's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 2 months) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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

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 PSKReporter Client sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. 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 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Packet Commander has 44 ratings behind it against 2, 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 0% of PSKReporter Client's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Packet Commander ships an update every 2 months, PSKReporter Client every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Packet Commander versus PSKReporter Client: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPacket CommanderPSKReporter Client
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (44 ratings) — better1.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings44 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.2 — better26.2
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIsland Magic Co.Vasco Barreiros

Customer experience

Packet Commander

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

PSKReporter Client

All ratings2 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Packet Commander

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

PSKReporter Client

One-time1
  • PSK Reporter Pro$4.99

Questions

Is Packet Commander free?
Packet Commander is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PSKReporter Client free?
PSKReporter Client is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Packet Commander or PSKReporter Client?
Packet Commander is rated higher. Packet Commander averages 4.9 out of 5 from 44 ratings, while PSKReporter Client averages 1.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Packet Commander or PSKReporter Client have ads?
Neither Packet Commander nor PSKReporter Client shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Packet Commander or PSKReporter Client?
Packet Commander ships an update every 2 months, and PSKReporter Client every 3 days. Most recently, Packet Commander was updated on September 21, 2026 and PSKReporter Client on September 9, 2026.

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