Packet Commander vs Modern RPN
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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/
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.
- Reverse Polish Notation (RPN) input
- Standard, Binary, and Hex modes
- 4-level visible stack
- Calculation history
- Saved session state
- Clean dark interface
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
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.
| Parameter | Packet Commander | Modern RPN |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $2.99 |
| Rating | 4.9 (44 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 44 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 18.2 — better | 26.2 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 10 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Island Magic Co. | Kevin Flathers |
Customer experience
Packet Commander
Modern RPN
In-app purchases
Packet Commander
- Yearly Subscription$8.991 Year
- One-Time Purchase$24.99
Modern RPN
No in-app purchases









