# DigiDecoder vs HamSat

The clearest difference is rating: HamSat at 4.7 against DigiDecoder's 4.4. DigiDecoder's advantage is iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.4). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. DigiDecoder sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and HamSat sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

HamSat holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 3 respectively.

DigiDecoder ships an update every 3 days, HamSat every 2 days. Both last shipped on September 11, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | DigiDecoder | HamSat |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/digidecoder-ham-radio/id6759073503/reviews) | **[4.7 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hamsat-ham-satellite-tracker/id6762450814/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **7** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 days | **Every 2 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 12 MB | 11 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 26.4 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Lukasz Skierkowski](https://appshunter.io/developer/1280847319) | [Vasco Barreiros](https://appshunter.io/developer/1451715392) |

## What reviewers say

### DigiDecoder

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/digidecoder-ham-radio/id6759073503)

This application decodes and encodes various ham radio digital modes in real-time. It automatically recognizes signals, displays them with an animated waterfall, and supports sending SSTV images, CW, FT8, and Packet messages.

**Highlights:** Real-time digital mode decoding, Automatic signal recognition, Animated waterfall display, SSTV image encoding, CW, FT8, and Packet message encoding, Bluetooth and network TNC support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| DigiDecoder Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| DigiDecoder Trial | Free | one-time |
| DigiDecoder Lifetime | $8.99 | one-time |


### HamSat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hamsat-ham-satellite-tracker/id6762450814)

Track satellite passes with real-time azimuth, elevation, and Doppler-corrected frequencies. Features an Apple Watch companion for wrist-based aiming and pass tracking, and allows users to stamp photos with operational data.

**Highlights:** Apple Watch companion for pass tracking and antenna aiming, Live sky dome with real-time satellite arcs, Aim mode with phone compass and haptic feedback, Doppler-corrected frequencies for operating during passes, Photo stamping with callsign, grid, satellite, and UTC time, Offline satellite tracking and propagation, Geostationary satellite tracking

**Features:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| HamSat Pro | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is DigiDecoder free?

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

### Is HamSat free?

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

### Which has better reviews, DigiDecoder or HamSat?

HamSat is rated higher. DigiDecoder averages 4.4 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while HamSat averages 4.7 from 3 ratings.

### Do DigiDecoder or HamSat have ads?

Neither DigiDecoder nor HamSat shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, DigiDecoder or HamSat?

DigiDecoder ships an update every 3 days, and HamSat every 2 days. Most recently, DigiDecoder was updated on September 11, 2026 and HamSat on September 11, 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.*