Comparison

Packet Commander vs Modern RPN

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

Modern RPN

A minimalist reverse Polish notation calculator for iOS devices. It offers Standard, Binary, and Hex modes for quick calculations and programmer-friendly conversions, featuring a clean interface and a 4-level stack.

Highlights
  • Reverse Polish Notation (RPN) input
  • Standard, Binary, and Hex modes
  • 4-level visible stack
  • Calculation history
  • Saved session state
  • Clean dark interface
Features
Read full description

Modern RPN is a minimalist reverse polish notation calculator for iPhone and iPad, with Standard, Binary, and Hex modes for fast everyday math and programmer-friendly conversions. Use a clean 4-level stack, instant mode switching, calculation history, and saved session state to move quickly without clutter. Features: • True RPN input with ENTER to push or duplicate values • Standard, Binary, Financial, and Hex calculator modes • Mode-aware entry and display formatting • 4-level visible stack: T, Z, Y, X • Core operations: add, subtract, multiply, divide • Stack tools: POP, X/Y swap, sign toggle, backspace, and all clear • Calculation history with timestamps • History filtering by All, Standard, Binary, Financial, or Hex • Saved session state for your current mode, stack, and in-progress input • Clean dark interface designed for focus and readability • No accounts, no ads, no data collection Modern RPN is designed for people who want the speed of a classic RPN calculator with a modern iOS interface.

Screenshots

Packet Commander4 screens
Modern RPN4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Packet Commander at Free against Modern RPN's $2.99. Packet Commander also leads on ratings volume (44 vs 1) and iOS requirement (18.2 vs 26.2). Modern RPN's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 months). On rating, review sentiment, ads 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

Packet Commander is free to download; Modern RPN costs $2.99 up front. Packet Commander sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per year. Modern RPN asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Packet Commander against 5.0 for Modern RPN. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Packet Commander has 44 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Packet Commander ships an update every 2 months, Modern RPN every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Packet Commander versus Modern RPN: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPacket CommanderModern RPN
PriceFree — better$2.99
Rating4.9 (44 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings44 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.2 — better26.2
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIsland Magic Co.Kevin Flathers

Customer experience

Packet Commander

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

Modern RPN

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Packet Commander

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

Modern RPN

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Packet Commander free?
Packet Commander is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Modern RPN free?
Modern RPN costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Packet Commander or Modern RPN?
Modern RPN is rated higher. Packet Commander averages 4.9 out of 5 from 44 ratings, while Modern RPN averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Packet Commander or Modern RPN have ads?
Neither Packet Commander nor Modern RPN shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Packet Commander or Modern RPN?
Packet Commander ships an update every 2 months, and Modern RPN every 5 days. Most recently, Packet Commander was updated on October 8, 2026 and Modern RPN on October 7, 2026.

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