Comparison

Head Copy vs OpenShack Morse Code Trainer

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

Head to head
About

Head Copy

Master Morse code with realistic QSO simulations and professional training modes. Practice with authentic callsigns, radio conditions, and contest simulations. Ideal for amateur radio operators looking to improve their CW skills.

Highlights
  • Realistic QSO simulator with real callsigns
  • Professional training modes (POTA, SKCC, Contest)
  • Authentic radio experience with QSB, QRN, and vintage effects
  • Adjustable WPM speeds (5-50 WPM)
  • CarPlay integration for practice on the go
  • Background learning with sleep timer
Features
Read full description

Master Morse code with Head Copy, the most comprehensive CW training app designed specifically for amateur radio operators. Whether you're preparing for your first QSO or training for competitive contests, Head Copy delivers authentic, realistic practice that mirrors real on-air conditions. REALISTIC QSO SIMULATOR Experience industry-first realistic CW conversations with actual callsigns from CWops, SKCC, and contest participants. No more artificial practice text - train with the same callsigns you'll encounter on the air. PROFESSIONAL TRAINING MODES - POTA (Parks on the Air): Practice authentic park-to-park contacts - SKCC (Straight Key Century Club): Master straight key techniques with realistic key characteristics - Contest Training: WPX, CWops CWT, SST, MST, and NCCC Sprint simulations - LICW Specialized Training: Advanced learning methods - Words List Training: Build fundamental skills with curated word lists AUTHENTIC RADIO EXPERIENCE Head Copy simulates real radio conditions with QSB (signal fading), QRN (atmospheric noise), and vintage radio effects. Choose between modern crystal-clear audio or vintage tube radio warmth. Practice with straight key simulation that includes realistic contact bounce and timing variations. ADVANCED FEATURES - Adjustable WPM speeds from 5 to 50 WPM - Farnsworth timing for character vs word speed control - Wordsworth spacing for advanced timing control - Head-copy mode: text display delay for authentic copying practice - Background learning with sleep timer - CarPlay integration for commute practice - Unlimited practice time (Premium) COMPREHENSIVE CONTENT All training content is regularly updated with fresh callsign databases and contest exchanges. Practice with thousands of real amateur radio callsigns and authentic contest exchanges used in actual competitions. CONVENIENT ALL-IN-ONE SOLUTION Stop juggling multiple apps, MP3 files, or YouTube videos. Head Copy puts everything you need for serious CW training in one professional application. Practice anywhere, anytime, with or without internet connection. PERFECT FOR - New amateur radio operators learning CW - Contest operators preparing for competitions - POTA and SOTA activators - SKCC members practicing straight key techniques - Anyone serious about improving their Morse code skills EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES Built-in learning materials include Morse code fundamentals, head-copy study guides, learning tips and tricks, and comprehensive reference charts. Everything you need to progress from beginner to expert. SUBSCRIPTION FEATURES Premium subscription unlocks all training modes, unlimited practice time, advanced audio features, and priority support. Free version includes basic training with time limits. Head Copy is developed by active amateur radio operators who understand the real challenges of learning and maintaining CW skills. Join thousands of hams worldwide who trust Head Copy for their Morse code training. Download Head Copy today and experience the difference that realistic, professional CW training makes. Your on-air confidence starts here. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://head-copy.com/privacy-policy.html

About

OpenShack Morse Code Trainer

Read full description

The app has several parts: - Morse Trainer: learn CW one character at a time, copying and sending - Advanced Trainer: once you know your alphabet, work on character groups, words, ham radio abbreviations and callsigns, copying and sending - Morse Decoder: reads your sending back to you - Morse Sender: turns text into CW audio, typed live or by copy and paste - Morse Chat: send and decode CW 1:1 with other ops, multi-user, with your own rooms Note: You can send with the on-screen key or with a connected straight key or paddle. There are several hardware options. The most versatile and accurate is the OpenShack Box from openshack.com, but interfaces that emulate a keyboard, such as VBand and Morserino, work too. LEARN MORSE CODE A complete CW course for beginners in 40 lessons. Set your speed and spacing. Farnsworth spacing gives you more time to copy. PRACTISE YOUR SENDING Send with the on-screen key or a connected key. The app shows how even your characters and spacing are, and where your fist departs from standard timing. YOUR PROGRESS The start screen shows your lesson, your practice time and how solid each learned character is. Review your mistakes and drill the difficult characters. Progress and settings stay on your device. Back up and restore your profiles. Compatible trainer profiles from OpenShack for Windows can be imported too. TRAINER FOR ADVANCED OPS With the Advanced Trainer you work on characters, groups, words, ham radio abbreviations and callsigns. Copy what you hear and type it in, or key it back. Set your speed, with longer spacing (Farnsworth) if you want it, and train copying or sending. MORSE DECODER Send with the on-screen key or a connected key and check your fist. The app shows what you send as text. Turn on 'Allow uneven timing' while your spacing still varies. MORSE SENDER Type or paste text and hear it as CW at 5 to 100 WPM, with Farnsworth spacing if you want it. With Immediate on, each character sounds as you type. Sent text is highlighted and the field scrolls along. MORSE CHAT Practise CW or ragchew with other ops over the internet. Type your message, or send with the on-screen key or a connected key. Invite others to a room by link or QR code. They can join free in a browser, no app needed. A callsign or name is all you need to connect. English interface for iPhone and iPad. One purchase includes all five parts. No subscription, no ads and no account registration. With the optional OpenShack Box you can use your own paddle and analyse your fist to the millisecond. The Box also works as a rig keyer and for remote operation. It is sold separately and connects via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. You'll find the manual and help under About. Try it free in your browser: https://cw.openshack.com OpenShack Box: https://openshack.com/en/keyer/ OpenShack CW Suite for Windows (sold separately): https://openshack.com/en/cw/ OpenShack CW by DL2CC.

Screenshots

Head Copy4 screens
OpenShack Morse Code Trainer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Head Copy at Free against OpenShack Morse Code Trainer's $9.99. OpenShack Morse Code Trainer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (every 3 days vs weekly). On ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

Head Copy is free to download; OpenShack Morse Code Trainer costs $9.99 up front. Head Copy sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. OpenShack Morse Code Trainer asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Head Copy ships an update weekly, OpenShack Morse Code Trainer every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Head Copy versus OpenShack Morse Code Trainer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHead CopyOpenShack Morse Code Trainer
PriceFree — better$9.99
Rating3.7 (15 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews25.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings15 — better—
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB5 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperCCE3D LLCFrank Grossmann e.K.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Head Copy

Subscriptions2
  • Head Copy Premium Monthly7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Head Copy Premium Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year
None

OpenShack Morse Code Trainer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Head Copy free?
Head Copy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is OpenShack Morse Code Trainer free?
OpenShack Morse Code Trainer costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Head Copy or OpenShack Morse Code Trainer have ads?
Neither Head Copy nor OpenShack Morse Code Trainer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Head Copy or OpenShack Morse Code Trainer?
Head Copy ships an update weekly, and OpenShack Morse Code Trainer every 3 days. Most recently, Head Copy was updated on October 30, 2026 and OpenShack Morse Code Trainer on November 10, 2026.

Other comparisons