Comparison

DigiDecoder vs RagChew

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

Head to head
About

DigiDecoder

Decode and encode various ham radio digital modes in real-time. Supports automatic mode recognition, SSTV image transmission, and multiple packet TNC options. Offers a free trial before monthly subscription or lifetime purchase.

Highlights
  • Universal digital modes decoder/encoder
  • Automatic mode recognition
  • Real-time animated waterfall display
  • SSTV image encoding and transmission
  • Support for FT8, CW, Packet, and more
  • Bluetooth and network TNC support
Read full description

DigiDecoder is a universal ham radio digital modes decoder and encoder. Use the built-in microphone or connect an audio cable directly for better input quality. One app for all the signals! The correct digital mode is automatically recognized and decoded in real time with an animated waterfall display. Quickly encode and send beautiful SSTV images, plus CW, FT8, and Packet messages. Bluetooth and network TNCs for Packet are supported as well. Try DigiDecoder free for 7 days. After the trial, continue with an affordable monthly subscription, or unlock lifetime access with a one-time purchase (a few months' worth). Nothing is charged during the trial and you can cancel anytime. Currently supported modes (more to come): SSTV: Robot 8 BW - 160×120 Robot 12 BW - 160×120 Robot 24 Color - 160×120 YCrCb Robot 24 BW - 320×240 Robot 36 - 320×240 YCrCb Robot 72 - 320×240 YCrCb Scottie S1 - 320×256 RGB Scottie S2 - 320×256 RGB Scottie DX - 320×256 RGB Martin M1 - 320×256 RGB Martin M2 - 320×256 RGB PD50 - 320×256 YCrCb PD90 - 320×256 YCrCb PD120 - 640×496 YCrCb PD180 - 640×496 YCrCb PD240 - 640×496 YCrCb PD160 - 512×400 YCrCb PD290 - 800×616 YCrCb Packet: AX.25 1200 - AFSK Bell 202, 1200/2200 Hz FX.25 1200 - AX.25 + Reed-Solomon FEC AX.25 300 - AFSK 1600/1800 Hz FX.25 300 - AX.25 300 + Reed-Solomon FEC IL2P 1200 AFSK - Bell 202 + RS FEC IL2P 300 AFSK - 1600/1800 Hz + RS FEC IL2P 300 BPSK - 1500 Hz DBPSK + RS FEC Weak Signal: FT8 - 8-tone GFSK, 15s periods FT4 - 4-tone GFSK, 7.5s periods JS8 - Keyboard-to-keyboard, FT8-based modulation WSPR - 4-FSK beacons, 2 min periods Narrowband: RTTY - 45.45/50/75 Bd CW/Morse - 5-55 WPM Olivia - 8/250, 8/500, 16/500, 16/1000, 32/1000 Voice: RADE - neural OFDM digital voice Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

RagChew

This app allows amateur radio operators to track live nets and communicate with other operators in real-time. It offers features like EchoLink audio streaming, push notifications for net activity, and a map view of check-ins.

Highlights
  • Live net tracking
  • EchoLink audio streaming
  • Push notifications
  • Real-time check-in roster
  • Operator map view
  • Net chat functionality
  • Favorites and monitoring
Features
Read full description

RagChew is a companion app for amateur radio operators who want to follow nets without being at their radio. It connects to NetLogger and shows you what's happening on active nets in real time. EchoLink (Still in Beta and may be buggy): RagChew now includes EchoLink support. You can listen to nets over EchoLink audio directly in the app and transmit using the built-in push-to-talk button. A live audio level bar and connection quality indicator keep you informed while you're connected. Node descriptions are available to help you identify links and repeaters. Notifications: RagChew can send you push notifications so you don't have to keep the app open to stay informed. You can receive alerts when a net you've favorited goes active, when a favorited station checks into any net, and for other activity you choose to follow. Notifications are configurable so you only hear about what's relevant to you. Check-ins: The full check-in roster is displayed as operators join, including callsign, name, and status. You can see who is currently operating, who is mobile, and who has checked out. Tapping a check-in expands additional details and provides a link to the operator's QRZ profile. Net chat: If you monitor a net, you can read and send messages in the net's chat. The full message history is available, and you can react to individual messages. NetLogger-style text formatting is supported. Map: Check-ins are plotted on a map based on their logged positions, giving you a geographic view of who is participating in the net. Favorites and monitors: You can favorite nets and individual callsigns to track activity that matters to you. You can also see which other operators are currently monitoring any given net. Net history: Recently closed nets are available to browse, including their full check-in rosters and session information. Groups: Nets can be browsed by club or group, with group descriptions and associated net listings. iPad and landscape layouts: On iPad, the net detail screen uses a split layout that displays net information, the station map, check-ins, and chat simultaneously. On iPhone, a landscape layout presents check-ins and chat side by side. Both portrait and landscape orientations are supported on all devices. Account: Sign in with your existing NetLogger credentials. No separate account is required. Favorites, monitors, and chat require a login; active net listings and basic check-in information are available without one. The app supports light, dark, and automatic appearance modes and is available on iPhone and iPad.

Screenshots

DigiDecoder4 screens
RagChew4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: DigiDecoder at Free against RagChew's $4.99. DigiDecoder also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 3 months) and ratings volume (8 vs 1). RagChew's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.5) and in-app purchases (none vs 2). On 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

DigiDecoder is free to download; RagChew costs $4.99 up front. DigiDecoder sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. RagChew asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

RagChew holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: DigiDecoder has 8 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DigiDecoder ships an update weekly, RagChew every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and November 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
DigiDecoder versus RagChew: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDigiDecoderRagChew
PriceFree — better$4.99
Rating4.5 (8 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings8 — better1
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS17.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB43 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLukasz SkierkowskiTim Morgan

In-app purchases

2 purchases

DigiDecoder

Subscriptions1
  • DigiDecoder Monthly7 Days trial$2.991 Month
One-time1
  • DigiDecoder Lifetime$8.99
None

RagChew

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DigiDecoder free?
DigiDecoder is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is RagChew free?
RagChew costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, DigiDecoder or RagChew?
RagChew is rated higher. DigiDecoder averages 4.5 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while RagChew averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do DigiDecoder or RagChew have ads?
Neither DigiDecoder nor RagChew shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DigiDecoder or RagChew?
DigiDecoder ships an update weekly, and RagChew every 3 months. Most recently, DigiDecoder was updated on November 5, 2026 and RagChew on November 9, 2026.

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