Comparison

GoldenHorn vs SimpleSSTV

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

Head to head
About

GoldenHorn

Features
Read full description

Welcome to GoldenHorn, a furry convention in Slovenia! Use the app to help you navigate around the convention and to find out what's going on.

About

SimpleSSTV

This app allows ham radio operators to encode images into audio signals for transmission and decode received audio back into images. It supports various SSTV modes, live camera feeds, and even AI-generated QSL cards. Receive alerts for International Space Station SSTV events.

Highlights
  • Encode images to SSTV audio
  • Decode SSTV audio to images
  • Live camera feed with trigger modes
  • Support for 14 SSTV modes
  • AI-generated QSL calling cards
  • ISS SSTV event notifications
  • Audio setup and troubleshooting tips
Features
Read full description

SimpleSSTV is a native iOS app for encoding, decoding, and live-transmitting slow-scan television (SSTV) signals — the method ham radio operators use to share images over audio frequencies. Slow-scan television converts images to audio tones. Each pixel's brightness becomes a specific frequency between 1500-2300 Hz. Sync pulses at 1200 Hz mark line boundaries. The result is an audio signal you can transmit over any voice-capable radio, or record for later playback. SSTV has been used by amateur radio operators since the 1950s. It's still actively used today on HF bands, VHF repeaters, and for receiving images from the International Space Station. ENCODING (Image → Audio) • Load any image from your photo library, camera, or Files • Automatic resize and crop to SSTV resolution • 21 supported modes covering all major SSTV formats • Real-time encoding with progress visualization • Play audio directly through speakers for VOX-triggered transmission • Export to WAV or M4A for later use • Optional FSK ID and CW ID (Morse code) callsign transmission • Test pattern generator for signal testing LIVE CAMERA MODE • Real-time camera feed with front/back camera switching • Three trigger modes: Continuous, Motion-triggered, or Periodic interval • Adjustable motion sensitivity with adaptive background model • Captures and encodes directly from camera to audio • Keep the app in the foreground while listening or transmitting DECODING (Audio → Image) • Load WAV, M4A, or MP3 audio files containing SSTV signals • Live microphone capture for real-time SSTV reception • Automatic mode detection via VIS code identification • Capture a transmission, then process it to see the decoded image • FSK callsign detection from received signals • Precision audio trimming with dual-view waveform editor • Re-decode saved images with different mode, sync offset, or slant correction • Handles real-world signal imperfections: timing drift, noise, sample rate variations • Decode watermark with an automatic stamp or custom Pro text • Waterfall spectrogram display shows signal frequency over time SUPPORTED MODES (21 total) • Martin M1, M2, M3, M4 • Scottie S1, S2, S3, S4, DX, DX2 • Robot 36, Robot 72, Robot BW8 • PD50, PD90, PD120, PD160, PD180, PD240, PD290 • Wraase SC2-180 ISS SSTV EVENTS • Get notified when the International Space Station transmits SSTV images • Automatic alerts before and during events, with frequency, mode, and callsign info • Info card on the decode tab with event details and countdown FAQ & SETUP TIPS • Practical advice on audio setup and USB adapters • Decode quality troubleshooting • Quick reference for all 21 SSTV modes IMAGE LIBRARY • Automatic saving of encoded and decoded images • Grid view with full preview, metadata, and sharing • Re-decode any saved image with different settings • Filter by encoded or decoded 10 LANGUAGES Available in Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Dutch, English, French, German, Polish, Portuguese (BR), Spanish, and Turkish — with full right-to-left support. PRIVACY No accounts, no analytics, no tracking. Your images and audio stay on your device. Free to encode and decode. Optional one-time Pro purchase unlocks watermark customization and Listening Station Mode. We do not use, sell or share your data for advertising or marketing purposes. Be aware: Encoded images are audio signals — anyone receiving the audio can decode them! REQUIREMENTS • iOS 17.6 or later • Camera access for live mode • Microphone access for live decode Built by a ham radio operator for ham radio operators. 73!

Screenshots

GoldenHorn3 screens
SimpleSSTV3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: GoldenHorn at none against SimpleSSTV's 6. GoldenHorn also leads on update cadence (daily vs monthly) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.6). 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. SimpleSSTV sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. GoldenHorn asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GoldenHorn ships an update daily, SimpleSSTV monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
GoldenHorn versus SimpleSSTV: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGoldenHornSimpleSSTV
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—75.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—4 — better
Update frequencyDaily — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS15.1 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size61 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDruštvo SloFursJeroen Rombouts

In-app purchases

None

GoldenHorn

No in-app purchases

6 purchases

SimpleSSTV

One-time6
  • Listening Station Mode$1.99
  • 10 AI Card Credits$1.99
  • Remove or change encoder watermark$2.99
Show 3 more
  • SimpleSSTV Pro$3.99
  • 30 AI Card Credits$3.99
  • 120 AI Card Credits$8.99

Questions

Is GoldenHorn free?
GoldenHorn is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SimpleSSTV free?
SimpleSSTV is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do GoldenHorn or SimpleSSTV have ads?
Neither GoldenHorn nor SimpleSSTV shows ads.
Which is updated more often, GoldenHorn or SimpleSSTV?
GoldenHorn ships an update daily, and SimpleSSTV monthly. Most recently, GoldenHorn was updated on October 13, 2026 and SimpleSSTV on October 18, 2026.

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