MeshMapper vs RigRef
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
MeshMapper
This utility app connects to companion devices to discover nearby mesh network repeaters. It uses GPS to tag pings and automatically uploads coverage data to a community map. Users can view signal strength and contribute to mapping mesh network coverage.
- Bluetooth Low Energy connection
- Real-time GPS tracking
- Discover mesh network repeaters
- View signal strength (RSSI/SNR)
- Automatic community database upload
Read full descriptionHide full description
MeshMapper is a wardriving app for MeshCore mesh network devices. Connect to your MeshCore companion device via Bluetooth, send GPS-tagged pings to discover nearby repeaters, and contribute coverage data to the community mesh map. FEATURES • Bluetooth Low Energy connection to MeshCore devices • Real-time GPS tracking with automatic ping mode • Discover and track mesh network repeaters • View signal strength (RSSI/SNR) for each repeater • Automatic upload to MeshMapper community database Help map mesh network coverage in your area and contribute to the growing MeshMapper community!
RigRef
Read full descriptionHide full description
RigRef is the offline quick-reference and toolkit your two-way radio forgot to include. When you can't remember which menu unlocks the keypad, sets a repeater offset, or turns on the weather alert — and there's no signal to look it up — RigRef has the answer, saved on your phone. 36 RADIOS, 980+ HOW-TO CARDS Step-by-step instructions for the radios people actually own: Baofeng UV-5R, UV-82, UV-9R Plus, BF-F8HP, AR-5RM; Quansheng UV-K5/K6 (including egzumer custom firmware); Yaesu FT-60R, FT-65R, FT-4XR, VX-6R, FT-70D, FT5D, FT3D; Icom IC-V86, IC-T10, ID-52; Kenwood TH-K20A, TH-D74A; GMRS from BTECH, Wouxun, Radioddity and Midland; DMR from AnyTone, TYT and more. Every card lists the exact buttons and menu items. Search across every radio at once ("how do I scan?") or browse one radio by category — power, memory channels, tones, repeaters, scanning, digital, and more. OFFLINE TOOLKIT On-device tools that work with no signal: - RF calculators: antenna length, coax loss, repeater offset, SWR/return loss, power & ERP, DC voltage drop, range/line-of-sight, grid square, and battery life. - A contact (QSO) logbook with one-tap ADIF export. - A channel/memory editor that validates entries and imports/exports CHIRP CSV to program your radio. - An ICS-205 net log to build a comms plan and track check-ins. - Repeaters Near Me: sort imported repeaters by distance and bearing using GPS and the compass. - A tone generator: DTMF, 1750 Hz tone burst, CTCSS and reference tones. - A camera scanner that reads a printed frequency list into editable channels. WORKS WHEN NOTHING ELSE DOES Everything is stored on your device. No account, no sign-in, no internet required. EMERGENCY & PREPAREDNESS FREQUENCIES A bundled, offline list of common US frequencies — FRS, GMRS, MURS, CB, marine, NOAA weather, and ham calling channels — with notes on what needs a license. REPEATERS, OFFLINE Import a CHIRP/CSV repeater list (export from RepeaterBook in CHIRP format) and browse it offline with band and mode filters. Data courtesy of RepeaterBook.com. FIELD COMMS PLANNER Build the channels your team will actually use on a trip or operation, then share them phone-to-phone with no internet (Supporter feature). Receiving a plan is always free. READABLE IN THE FIELD Field Mode bumps the text size for gloves, bright sun, or shaky hands — free for everyone. FREE, WITH AN OPTIONAL SUPPORTER UNLOCK All reference content and tools are free, forever. An optional Supporter unlock adds color themes, alternate app icons, a red Night Vision mode, and over-the-air plan sending. Tips are welcome but never required. IMPORTANT RigRef is a quick reference, not a substitute for your radio's manual. Procedures vary by firmware and region — always confirm against your actual radio. Transmitting on some services requires a license; you are responsible for operating legally. 73!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: MeshMapper at none against RigRef's 1. MeshMapper also leads on device support (4 vs 2) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). On price and ads 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. RigRef sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. MeshMapper asks for nothing beyond the download.
| Parameter | MeshMapper | RigRef |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (23 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 42.9% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 23 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 39 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | CHRISTOPHER CARL SCHNOBB | Fredy Soussou |
In-app purchases
MeshMapper
No in-app purchases
RigRef
- RigRef Supporter$2.99
Questions
Is MeshMapper free?
Is RigRef free?
Do MeshMapper or RigRef have ads?
Other comparisons















