Comparison

SimpleSSTV vs UberSDR

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

Head to head
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!

About

UberSDR

Features
Read full description

UberSDR makes your iPhone or iPad the front end of a real radio receiver, anywhere in the world. Pick one from the public directory — dozens of them, run by enthusiasts from Scotland to Brazil — or find a receiver on your own network. No account, no sign-up, no hardware: you are listening within seconds. Tune by spinning the frequency dial, dragging the waterfall, or tapping a marker. Signals arrive on a live spectrum and waterfall you can zoom and hold. Choose LSB, USB, AM, SAM, NFM, FM or CW, set the passband by hand, and pull a weak station out of the noise with noise reduction, a notch filter and squelch. Shortwave broadcasters, the amateur bands, aviation, marine, time signals and stranger things besides. A band plan and live DX cluster spots say what you are hearing; bookmarks take you back to it. Audio carries on when you lock the screen or move to another app, with the usual controls on the lock screen. Everything stays on your device. Nothing is collected, and there is nothing to sign in to.

Screenshots

SimpleSSTV3 screens
UberSDR4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: UberSDR at none against SimpleSSTV's 6. UberSDR also leads on update cadence (weekly vs monthly) and iOS requirement (15.0 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. UberSDR asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SimpleSSTV ships an update monthly, UberSDR weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
SimpleSSTV versus UberSDR: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimpleSSTVUberSDR
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (4 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings4 — better—
Update frequencyMonthlyWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS17.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB8 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperJeroen RomboutsNathan Higgins

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
None

UberSDR

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SimpleSSTV free?
SimpleSSTV is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is UberSDR free?
UberSDR is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do SimpleSSTV or UberSDR have ads?
Neither SimpleSSTV nor UberSDR shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SimpleSSTV or UberSDR?
SimpleSSTV ships an update monthly, and UberSDR weekly. Most recently, SimpleSSTV was updated on October 24, 2026 and UberSDR on October 25, 2026.

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