Comparison

Packet Commander vs Ham Imaging

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

Ham Imaging

Read full description

Ham Imaging is the picture side of amateur radio. Hold your phone to any receiver's speaker and watch slow-scan television pictures decode live, or transmit your own with your callsign printed on them — no interface box, no cables, no computer. RECEIVE • Live SSTV decode straight from your radio's audio through the device microphone • Automatic mode detection from the VIS header — leave it on Auto and the picture just appears • 20 modes decoded and encoded: Scottie 1, 2, 3, 4 and DX; Martin 1, 2 and 3; Robot 12, 24, 36 and 72; PD 50, 90, 120, 160, 180, 240 and 290; and Wraase SC2-180 • A live tuning meter and signal-confidence readout so you can peak the audio before the picture starts • Slant correction for the small clock differences that make a picture lean • The picture paints in as it arrives — you do not have to wait for the end of the frame TRANSMIT • Send any photo from your camera or gallery as an SSTV picture • Optional overlay printing your callsign, grid and a free text line onto the image • Pick the mode to suit the band and the time you have • A progress bar tracks the transmission, and you can cancel at any point • Putting a signal on the air stays your decision — the app makes the tones, you key the radio GALLERY & LOGGING • Everything you receive or send is kept together on the device with its mode and UTC time • Share a watermarked copy anywhere • Clean export — a plain copy at 800 px, exactly the format ARISS asks for in award submissions • Copy an ADIF line to paste an SSTV contact straight into Ham Logging or your desktop logger • Delete a single picture or clear the whole gallery. Nothing is ever uploaded BUILT FOR THE SHACK • Works fully offline — decoding and encoding never need an internet connection • Light and dark themes, adjustable font size, weekly tips and in-app version history • Your callsign and grid stay on your device • No account, no ads, no analytics and no tracking PERFECT FOR • Operators working the HF SSTV picture nets • Anyone chasing ISS / ARISS SSTV events and award submissions • Shortwave listeners who want to see what those warbling tones actually are • Newcomers who want to try SSTV without buying an interface • Clubs demonstrating amateur radio to visitors and students PRIVACY • Your callsign, grid and email are stored only on your device. • No account, no sign-up, no ads, no analytics SDKs, no advertising ID and no tracking of any kind. 73 de A41UX Yousuf AL Balushi — Unixeer, Oman

Screenshots

Packet Commander4 screens
Ham Imaging4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Ham Imaging at none against Packet Commander's 2. Ham Imaging also leads on update cadence (every 11 days vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.2). On price, 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

Both are free to download. Packet Commander sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per year. Ham Imaging asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Packet Commander ships an update every 2 months, Ham Imaging every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Packet Commander versus Ham Imaging: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPacket CommanderHam Imaging
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (44 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings44 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 11 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.215.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB25 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIsland Magic Co.Yousif AL Balushi

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Packet Commander

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

Ham Imaging

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Packet Commander free?
Packet Commander is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Ham Imaging free?
Ham Imaging is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Packet Commander or Ham Imaging have ads?
Neither Packet Commander nor Ham Imaging shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Packet Commander or Ham Imaging?
Packet Commander ships an update every 2 months, and Ham Imaging every 11 days. Most recently, Packet Commander was updated on September 21, 2026 and Ham Imaging on October 14, 2026.

Other comparisons