# Flaresat vs PacketMessage

The clearest difference is rating: PacketMessage at 5.0 against Flaresat's 3.5. Flaresat's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ratings volume (4 vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. PacketMessage sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Flaresat asks for nothing beyond the download.

PacketMessage holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 1 respectively.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 9, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Flaresat | PacketMessage |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.5 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flaresat/id6758274987/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/packetmessage/id6758742785/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **4** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Weekly | Weekly |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 89 MB | 1 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 17.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Fares Saleh](https://appshunter.io/developer/1871912809) | [Lukasz Skierkowski](https://appshunter.io/developer/1280847319) |

## What reviewers say

### Flaresat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flaresat/id6758274987)

This app provides a shared live map for groups to coordinate activities. It allows real-time location tracking, map-based chat, and the ability to drop pins and trace routes, with both online and off-grid functionality.

**Highlights:** Shared live map, Real-time location tracking, Map-based chat, Smart pins with notes, Draw on map, Breadcrumb recording, Off-grid communication (with hardware)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### PacketMessage

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/packetmessage/id6758742785)

This app enables licensed amateur radio operators to send reliable messages directly over RF using their radio and a compatible TNC interface. It leverages advanced error correction protocols for robust communication in a decentralized network.

**Highlights:** FX.25 forward error correction, AX.25 bit-flip error correction, Software TNC or KISS TNC interface support, Direct RF message transmission, Decentralized communication

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Small Tip | $1.99 | one-time |
| Medium Tip | $4.99 | one-time |
| Large Tip | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Flaresat free?

Flaresat is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is PacketMessage free?

PacketMessage is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Flaresat or PacketMessage?

PacketMessage is rated higher. Flaresat averages 3.5 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while PacketMessage averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Flaresat or PacketMessage have ads?

Neither Flaresat nor PacketMessage shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Flaresat or PacketMessage?

Flaresat ships an update weekly, and PacketMessage weekly. Most recently, Flaresat was updated on September 9, 2026 and PacketMessage on September 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.*