# Firmware Updater vs Spectrum SDR (RTL

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Firmware Updater at none against Spectrum SDR (RTL's 1. Firmware Updater also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 26.0). Spectrum SDR (RTL's advantage is update cadence (every 11 days vs every 2 months). 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. Firmware Updater asks for nothing beyond the download.

Firmware Updater ships an update every 2 months, Spectrum SDR (RTL every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Firmware Updater | 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 2 months | **Every 11 days** |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Size | 18 MB | 7 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Audio Inventions Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1581625435) | [James Mainwaring](https://appshunter.io/developer/1895761181) |

## What reviewers say

### Firmware Updater

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/firmware-updater/id6754697772)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**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 Firmware Updater free?

Firmware Updater 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 Firmware Updater or Spectrum SDR (RTL have ads?

Neither Firmware Updater nor Spectrum SDR (RTL shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Firmware Updater or Spectrum SDR (RTL?

Firmware Updater ships an update every 2 months, and Spectrum SDR (RTL every 11 days. Most recently, Firmware Updater was updated on October 7, 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.*