SimpleSSTV vs Spectrum SDR (RTL
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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 • Perfect for portable operation, field day, and unattended stations 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 • Progressive line-by-line image preview during decode • 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 • Optional decode watermark stamps mode, timestamp, and callsign on received images • 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!
Spectrum SDR (RTL
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.
- 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
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This application is about having a bit of fun with those amazing little RTL-SDR dongles, whilst listening to AM/FM/SSB/CW radio signals. It's nice and easy to use so why not give it a try? - Covers the full frequency range of your RTL-SDR dongle. - AM and FM, wide and narrow, SSB, CW. - FFT and Waterfall displays. - Sample rates 240000 Hz to 2160000 Hz. - Bias tee control. - 75 presets over 5 pages. - Gain controls. - Squelch. - Flexible display options, hide things you don't need to see. - Built-in help. The application needs to be connected to an instance of rtl_tcp running on a remote computer, most likely over WiFi. You will need a good network connection for this to work reliably when using the higher sample rates. It can be installed on an iPhone, iPad or Apple Silicon Mac. We hope you enjoy using this application.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Spectrum SDR (RTL at 4.5 against SimpleSSTV's 4.0. Spectrum SDR (RTL also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 73%) and update cadence (every 11 days vs monthly). SimpleSSTV's advantage is iOS requirement (17.6 vs 26.0). 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
Both are free to download. SimpleSSTV sells 6 one-off in-app purchases and Spectrum SDR (RTL sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Spectrum SDR (RTL holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 2 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 73% of SimpleSSTV's written reviews are positive against 100% of Spectrum SDR (RTL's.
SimpleSSTV ships an update monthly, Spectrum SDR (RTL every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SimpleSSTV | Spectrum SDR (RTL |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.0 (4 ratings) | 4.5 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 73.3% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 4 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Every 11 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Jeroen Rombouts | James Mainwaring |
Customer experience
SimpleSSTV
Spectrum SDR (RTL
In-app purchases
SimpleSSTV
- Listening Station Mode$1.99
- 10 AI Card Credits$1.99
- Remove or change encoder watermark$2.99
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- SimpleSSTV Pro$3.99
- 30 AI Card Credits$3.99
- 120 AI Card Credits$8.99
Spectrum SDR (RTL
- Full Version$2.99





