Comparison

HAMmade GRID vs AllStar Node Control

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

Head to head
About

HAMmade GRID

Features
Read full description

Designed specifically for Amateur Radio Operators (Hams), HAMmade Grid is your ultimate companion for DXing, contesting, and field operations. The app now supports 6, 8, and 10 character Maidenhead Grid Locators, allowing more precise location information for advanced radio operations. Whether you are operating from your home QTH or working portable/rover; instantly find your Maidenhead Grid Locator, visualize the target station on the map, and point your antenna with precision. Key Features: -Precise Location & Grid: Instantly calculates your 6-character Maidenhead Grid Locator using real-time GPS data.  -Callsign Lookup: Enter any callsign to automatically fetch location, name, and station details. (requires paid QRZ.com membership) -QRZ.com & HamDB Integration: Log in with your QRZ.com account to access detailed profiles and station photos. No account? No problem. The app automatically falls back to HamDB public data for seamless lookups.  Band Availability Insight The app can now display the radio bands that are usable between two selected Maidenhead grid locators. This helps operators quickly evaluate which bands are likely to work at a given moment, making it easier to plan contacts, portable operations, and DX activities. -Smart Compass & Bearing: Calculates the exact Heading and Distance to the target station. The integrated live compass overlay helps you align your antenna directly to the signal source.  -Advanced Mapping: Visualize the target Grid square with Standard, Satellite, and Hybrid map modes.  -Unit Support: Switch between Kilometers (km) and Miles (mi) effortlessly.  -Dark Mode: Eye-friendly interface optimized for night operations.  -Multi-Language: Supports English, Turkish, Spanish, German, French, and more.

About

AllStar Node Control

Features
Read full description

AllStar Node Control replaces heavyweight web apps and outdated mobile apps with a clean, modern approach to managing your local AllStar node. Save one-touch quick links, search the entire AllStar and EchoLink global directories, set up favorites, run node maintenance tasks and configure command macros. Node Control scans your local network for AllStarLink nodes and configures them automatically - just add your manager credentials and you're on the air! Your one time purchase helps support software made by a ham, for hams. No ads, no subscriptions, no surprises. Check out my other mobile apps for other great ham radio goodness. I also make the most capable mobile FT8/FT4 station anywhere. AllStar Node Control is not affiliated with or endorsed by AllStarLink, Inc.

Screenshots

HAMmade GRID4 screens
AllStar Node Control2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: HAMmade GRID at Free against AllStar Node Control's $0.99. HAMmade GRID also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 26.5). AllStar Node Control's advantage is update cadence (daily vs every 4 days). On ads, in-app purchases 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

HAMmade GRID is free to download; AllStar Node Control costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HAMmade GRID ships an update every 4 days, AllStar Node Control daily. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 3 level
HAMmade GRID versus AllStar Node Control: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHAMmade GRIDAllStar Node Control
PriceFree — better$0.99
Update frequencyEvery 4 daysDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.1 — better26.5
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOguz AgceliJONATHAN MARK SCHULMAN

In-app purchases

None

HAMmade GRID

No in-app purchases

None

AllStar Node Control

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is HAMmade GRID free?
HAMmade GRID is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is AllStar Node Control free?
AllStar Node Control costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do HAMmade GRID or AllStar Node Control have ads?
Neither HAMmade GRID nor AllStar Node Control shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HAMmade GRID or AllStar Node Control?
HAMmade GRID ships an update every 4 days, and AllStar Node Control daily. Most recently, HAMmade GRID was updated on September 18, 2026 and AllStar Node Control on September 24, 2026.

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