Comparison

DigiDecoder vs Phantom

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

Head to head
About

DigiDecoder

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
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 Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Phantom

This app enables off-grid voice and text communication over mesh networks, functioning without cell towers, Wi-Fi, or internet. It utilizes Meshtastic-compatible LoRa hardware for direct peer-to-peer messaging.

Highlights
  • Off-grid voice and text messaging
  • Works without cell towers, Wi-Fi, or internet
  • Hold-to-talk voice reconstruction
  • Bluetooth connectivity to Meshtastic LoRa nodes
  • Interoperable with standard Meshtastic app
Features
Read full description

Phantom is an off-grid messaging app for mesh networks - voice and text that works when everything else fails. No cell towers, no wifi, no internet, no servers, no monthly fees. Hold to talk. Your voice gets reconstructed on the other end. No audio ever crosses the radio. Works with any Meshtastic-compatible LoRa node over Bluetooth. Interoperates with the standard Meshtastic app. Requires Meshtastic - compatible LoRa hardware. The future is mesh. Phantom brings voice to it.

Screenshots

DigiDecoder4 screens
Phantom4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: DigiDecoder at 50% against Phantom's 0%. DigiDecoder also leads on rating (4.5 vs 3.7) and device support (3 vs 1). Phantom's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3). On price, ratings volume, update cadence 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. DigiDecoder sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Phantom asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

DigiDecoder holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 3 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of DigiDecoder's written reviews are positive against 0% of Phantom's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
DigiDecoder versus Phantom: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDigiDecoderPhantom
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (8 ratings) — better3.7 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings8 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 4 daysEvery 4 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.0 — better26.4
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB778 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLukasz SkierkowskiAntonio Lambert

Customer experience

DigiDecoder

All ratings8 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative25.0%

Phantom

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

DigiDecoder

Subscriptions1
  • DigiDecoder Monthly7 Days trial$2.991 Month
One-time2
  • DigiDecoder TrialFree
  • DigiDecoder Lifetime$8.99
None

Phantom

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DigiDecoder free?
DigiDecoder is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Phantom free?
Phantom is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, DigiDecoder or Phantom?
DigiDecoder is rated higher. DigiDecoder averages 4.5 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while Phantom averages 3.7 from 3 ratings.
Do DigiDecoder or Phantom have ads?
Neither DigiDecoder nor Phantom shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DigiDecoder or Phantom?
DigiDecoder ships an update every 4 days, and Phantom every 4 days. Most recently, DigiDecoder was updated on October 15, 2026 and Phantom on October 7, 2026.

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