# Packet Commander vs MeshCore Update

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: MeshCore Update at none against Packet Commander's 2. MeshCore Update also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 months). Packet Commander's advantage is ratings volume (44 vs 2) and iOS requirement (18.2 vs 26.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Packet Commander sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per year. MeshCore Update 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 MeshCore Update. 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 split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

Packet Commander ships an update every 2 months, MeshCore Update every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Packet Commander | MeshCore Update |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.9 (44 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/packet-commander/id6743951365/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/meshcore-update/id6778491808/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **44** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 10 MB | 10 MB |
| Requires iOS | **18.2** | 26.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Island Magic Co.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1529387252) | [Aleksandrs Sergejevs](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896102690) |

## What reviewers say

### Packet Commander

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/packet-commander/id6743951365)

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Yearly Subscription | $8.99 | per year |
| One-Time Purchase | $24.99 | one-time |


### MeshCore Update

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/meshcore-update/id6778491808)

This utility app facilitates firmware updates for compatible MeshCore repeater devices. It supports both Bluetooth DFU and Wi-Fi OTA update methods, allowing users to download firmware, manage local files, and initiate the update process.

**Highlights:** Bluetooth DFU updates, Wi-Fi OTA updates, Check official firmware releases, Download firmware packages, Local firmware file management, Scan for compatible devices

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Packet Commander free?

Packet Commander is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is MeshCore Update free?

MeshCore Update is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Packet Commander or MeshCore Update?

MeshCore Update is rated higher. Packet Commander averages 4.9 out of 5 from 44 ratings, while MeshCore Update averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do Packet Commander or MeshCore Update have ads?

Neither Packet Commander nor MeshCore Update shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Packet Commander or MeshCore Update?

Packet Commander ships an update every 2 months, and MeshCore Update every 4 days. Most recently, Packet Commander was updated on September 21, 2026 and MeshCore Update on October 7, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*