# Luminous MAX vs Spectrum SDR (RTL

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Luminous MAX at none against Spectrum SDR (RTL's 1. Luminous MAX also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 11 days) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 26.0). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Spectrum SDR (RTL sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Luminous MAX asks for nothing beyond the download.

Luminous MAX ships an update every 4 days, Spectrum SDR (RTL every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Luminous MAX | Spectrum SDR (RTL |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[4.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spectrum-sdr-rtl-sdr/id6764391865/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **2** |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 days** | Every 11 days |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Size | 26 MB | 7 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, Mac** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Luminous](https://appshunter.io/developer/1054608168) | [James Mainwaring](https://appshunter.io/developer/1895761181) |

## What reviewers say

### Luminous MAX

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/luminous-max/id6746794733)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Spectrum SDR (RTL

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spectrum-sdr-rtl-sdr/id6764391865)

Explore radio signals with your RTL-SDR dongle. Listen to AM/FM/SSB/CW, view FFT and waterfall displays, and customize your experience. Requires a remote rtl_tcp instance over WiFi.

**Highlights:** Full frequency range support, AM, FM, SSB, CW reception, FFT and Waterfall displays, Adjustable sample rates, Bias tee and gain controls, Squelch functionality, Customizable display options

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full Version | $2.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Luminous MAX free?

Luminous MAX is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Spectrum SDR (RTL free?

Spectrum SDR (RTL is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Luminous MAX or Spectrum SDR (RTL have ads?

Neither Luminous MAX nor Spectrum SDR (RTL shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Luminous MAX or Spectrum SDR (RTL?

Luminous MAX ships an update every 4 days, and Spectrum SDR (RTL every 11 days. Most recently, Luminous MAX was updated on October 28, 2026 and Spectrum SDR (RTL on October 10, 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.*