Comparison

CW Decoder vs PlaneTrack

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

CW Decoder

This application uses AI for high-accuracy Morse code decoding. It offers real-time signal processing for steady performance in noisy conditions. A free version allows for short decoding sessions, while a paid upgrade provides unlimited use and advanced features.

Highlights
  • AI-driven decoding
  • Real-time signal processing
  • Adjustable speed and thresholds
  • Decodes letters, numerals, and prosigns
  • Built-in microphone input
  • USB-C audio input (full version)
  • Scrollable decoded text
Features
Read full description

A high-accuracy Morse code decoder An AI model now drives the decoding, raising the hit rate on real on-air signals. Sample-by-sample signal processing keeps it steady in noise. Try the free version first and hear what it can pull out of the band. ■ Free version vs. Full Version The decoding engine itself is free for everyone to try. [Free version] • Each decoding session runs up to 2 minutes (restart as often as you like) • Standard font • Audio input from the built-in microphone only → Ideal for trying the app out or checking a short QSO. [Full Version (paid add-on)] • No time limit — built for long ragchews and for leaving it running while you monitor • Font settings — pick the typeface and size that read best for you • USB-C audio input — wire it straight to your rig and decode without the room getting in the way → Recommended if you want it on the desk for real operating, or a study setup you never have to babysit. ■ Features and technology (Real-time decoding) • Speed range: 5–50 WPM (speed and thresholds adjust themselves) • Detection range: 400 Hz – 900 Hz (locks onto the strongest signal) (What it decodes) • Letters, numerals and punctuation • Prosigns, and characters run together the way operators actually send them (Audio input: built-in microphone or USB-C) • Built-in microphone: no cable, nothing to set up. Point it at the speaker and go. • USB-C input (Full Version): connect any USB Audio Class device with a cable and it is recognised on the spot. No driver, no settings screen to find. • Plugging in switches the input over automatically; unplugging hands it back to the built-in microphone. • Taking audio straight from your rig's headphone output or an audio interface keeps conversation, traffic and household noise out of the decode. (Input source indicator) • The icon at the top left of the screen shows which input is in use at a glance: Microphone icon — the built-in microphone Connector icon — a USB-C device (shown in blue) • Plug or unplug the cable and the icon follows along on its own. • Connect a USB device before purchasing and a small lock appears. Tap it for details about the Full Version. • In landscape the icon moves to the button row at the bottom. (Signal processing) • Band-pass filter: a narrow window that cuts everything you did not tune for • AGC: tracks changes in signal strength and rides out fading • Noise blanker: removes spike noise using median absolute deviation • State stabilisation: multi-sample buffering so noise does not trip a false element ■ Built for operating, not just demos • Scrollable text, so anything you missed is still there to go back to • Locks firmly onto the 400 Hz – 900 Hz range where CW actually lives • A visual read-out that backs up what your ears are doing • A direct USB-C connection to the rig gives you the same steady copy in the shack or out portable ■ Who it is for (New to Morse) For anyone curious about Morse who is not sure where to start. Hearing it and reading it at the same time means you can check yourself as you go, which makes the learning stick far faster. (Licensed amateurs) • Practice: compare the decode against your own copy and find the characters you keep missing • Contests: a second pair of ears on fast CW, and a way to check a log entry • Portable: leave the laptop at home. A phone is the whole receiving setup. • Direct connection: over USB-C the copy stays solid even somewhere noisy (Returning and experienced operators) As a backstop for ears that are not what they were, or simply to make a long watch less tiring. Strong filtering keeps weak and crowded signals readable. Note: USB-C audio input requires a device with a USB-C port (iPhone 15 or later, USB-C iPad models) and a USB Audio Class compatible device. Note: Microphone access is used only to analyse the signal. Nothing is recorded, stored or transmitted. Audio arriving over USB-C uses the same permission.

About

PlaneTrack

Track live flights in real-time on a detailed map, identify aircraft overhead with your phone's camera, and explore a community feed of flight photos and stories. Rewind the sky to replay past flights and receive alerts for specific aircraft or events.

Highlights
  • Live flight tracking map
  • Sky Pointer for real-time identification
  • Shareable Sky Shots with flight details
  • Community feed of flight photos and stories
  • Time Machine for flight replays
  • Customizable flight alerts
Features
Read full description

PlaneTrack turns the sky above you into something you can read, watch and share. Tens of thousands of flights move in real time on a beautiful dark map, powered by our own global ADS-B receiver network and enriched with official FAA data. POINT AT THE SKY See a plane overhead? Open Sky Pointer, aim your phone at it, and PlaneTrack tells you the flight, type, altitude, speed and destination. Then press the shutter: your Sky Shot comes out with the flight details, compass and mini map burned in, ready to share. THE FEED A community feed of Sky Shots from spotters everywhere, aircraft stories, and replay videos of the day's most interesting flights. React, comment, share, follow other spotters, and filter to exactly what you care about: emergencies, diversions, rare aircraft. THE TIME MACHINE Rewind the whole sky. Replay any moment, or watch curated replays of emergencies, diversions and rare visitors with a cinematic follow camera locked on the aircraft. Free covers 30 days; Premium rewinds 400. LIVE MAP Real-time positions with altitude, speed or type coloring. Helicopters, ground vehicles, even high-altitude balloons drawn with their own icons. Oceanic flights estimated beyond radar coverage. KNOW EVERY FLIGHT Tap any aircraft for its route, live progress, full flown track, aircraft photo, schedule with delays, and complete history. Search flight numbers the way you know them (AS2240 finds the flight, not just the radio callsign). DISCOVER A live watchlist of emergencies, diversions and rare aircraft, plus aircraft stories, the US Delay Radar and rankings. ALERTS THAT FIND YOU Follow any aircraft, flight, airline, airport or type and get a push notification when it flies, diverts, or squawks an emergency. Privacy Policy: https://planetrack.ai/privacy.html Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

CW Decoder3 screens
PlaneTrack4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: PlaneTrack at 5.0 against CW Decoder's 2.0. PlaneTrack also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 8 days). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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. CW Decoder sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and PlaneTrack sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PlaneTrack holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 2 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CW Decoder ships an update every 8 days, PlaneTrack every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
CW Decoder versus PlaneTrack: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCW DecoderPlaneTrack
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings12 — better
Update frequencyEvery 8 daysEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.217.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKeiya ChibaTristan Munday

Customer experience

CW Decoder

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

PlaneTrack

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

CW Decoder

One-time1
  • Unlock Full Version$2.99
2 purchases

PlaneTrack

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Premium Annual$99.991 Year

Questions

Is CW Decoder free?
CW Decoder is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PlaneTrack free?
PlaneTrack is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, CW Decoder or PlaneTrack?
PlaneTrack is rated higher. CW Decoder averages 2.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while PlaneTrack averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do CW Decoder or PlaneTrack have ads?
Neither CW Decoder nor PlaneTrack shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CW Decoder or PlaneTrack?
CW Decoder ships an update every 8 days, and PlaneTrack every 2 days. Most recently, CW Decoder was updated on October 30, 2026 and PlaneTrack on October 31, 2026.

Other comparisons