Comparison

SimpleCW vs VibeSDR

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

Head to head
About

SimpleCW

Features
Read full description

Read Morse and digital-mode signals from audio with SimpleCW (formerly HamChat). Tune one receiver, watch the waterfall, and follow decoded text in the transcript. CW includes automatic tone acquisition or manual tuning, Otsu and Bayesian decoders, a live keying trace, speed estimates, and input-level feedback. An optional on-device ML CW decoder is included with Premium Modes Unlock on iOS 18 or later and macOS 15 or later. Decoder results depend on signal quality and sending style; Otsu is the default. Receive CW, PSK31/63, MFSK, Olivia, and RTTY. Classical receive in every mode and CW transmit remain free. A three-minute trial lets you try other transmit modes. The existing one-time Premium Modes Unlock purchase adds unlimited digital-mode transmit and the optional ML CW decoder. Use the microphone or a compatible audio interface. On Mac, System Audio can receive audio from other software with the appropriate system permission. Audio processing stays on the device. Copy or share the resulting transcript.

About

VibeSDR

This app acts as a versatile receiver client for various software-defined radio servers. It offers advanced display, tuning, and audio features, along with on-device decoders and voice control for a comprehensive radio experience.

Highlights
  • Connects to multiple SDR server protocols
  • GPU-rendered waterfall and spectrum display
  • Native background audio playback
  • On-device decoders for RTTY, NAVTEX, WEFAX, SSTV, Morse
  • Voice control via Siri
  • CarPlay and Apple Watch integration
  • Deep linking for station tuning
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

VibeSDR is a mobile-first software-defined radio (SDR) receiver — and far more than a single-server client. It speaks multiple SDR server protocols and does its own demodulation of the raw IQ with a clean-room DSP engine. Pair that with a GPU-rendered waterfall, native background audio, on-device decoders and maps, plus voice and in-car control, for a genuinely great SDR experience on any iPhone — whatever receiver is behind it. WHAT YOU CAN CONNECT TO • Remote SDR servers — native support for UberSDR, OpenWebRX / OpenWebRX+, and KiwiSDR, all behind one interface, with a directory chooser in the instance picker. • Networked rtl_tcp — connect to a remote rtl_tcp server and VibeSDR demodulates the raw IQ itself. DISPLAY & WATERFALL • Custom GPU waterfall and spectrum, rendered with a Skia shader for a smooth, high-frame-rate display independent of the server. • Portrait and landscape layouts, ProMotion 120 Hz, haptic tuning feedback. • Classic colour palettes (GQRX, KiwiSDR, CuteSDR, SdrDx, OpenWebRX), VFO glow controls, and a spectrum backdrop image. TUNING & CONTROLS • VFO drum with inertia scrolling and a dual-drum waterfall zoom. • Full mode set — USB, LSB, AM, SAM, FM, NFM, CW — with passband sliders. • Noise reduction, noise blanker, squelch, AGC, volume and mute. AUDIO • Native audio engines running outside any WebView, so playback survives app suspension. • Background audio on both platforms. • Lock-screen, Now Playing, CarPlay and Apple Watch controls with frequency + station metadata and station/bookmark skipping. • AAC recorder with share sheet. VOICE CONTROL • Siri — "Hey Siri, tune VibeSDR" then a frequency, a station name, or a band; it tunes with the right demodulator and step, even in the background over headphones, CarPlay or the lock screen. DECODERS & MAPS • On-device decoders — RTTY, NAVTEX, WEFAX, SSTV, Morse, and speech-to-text. • Server maps — HFDL aircraft, digital and CW activity maps, fully embedded. STATIONS & BOOKMARKS • Instance picker directory across UberSDR, OpenWebRX/OpenWebRX+ and KiwiSDR receivers, with country flags, favourites and an auto-connect default. • Bookmark and band-plan search with live EiBi schedules. • Visual Tuning System (VTS) — nearby-station bar, band-crossing popups and station skipping. • Live chat, and Share a tuned station as a tappable deep link. NEW: DEEP LINKING • Tap a vibesdr:// link to connect straight to a receiver and tune to the shared frequency — no hunting through the picker. VibeSDR is free software under the GNU GPL-3.0, built by Stuart Carr with AI assistance from Claude (Anthropic). VibeSDR is a receiver client and is not affiliated with the SDR servers it connects to.

Screenshots

SimpleCW4 screens
VibeSDR4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: SimpleCW at Free against VibeSDR's $2.99. VibeSDR's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and chart position (#103 vs unranked). On ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

SimpleCW is free to download; VibeSDR costs $2.99 up front. SimpleCW sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. VibeSDR asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SimpleCW ships an update every 5 weeks, VibeSDR every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
SimpleCW versus VibeSDR: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimpleCWVibeSDR
PriceFree — better$2.99
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
Monetization—Paid
Best chart rank—#103 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS17.016.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size14 MB52 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJeroen RomboutsStuart Carr

In-app purchases

1 purchases

SimpleCW

One-time1
  • Premium Modes Unlock$2.99
None

VibeSDR

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SimpleCW free?
SimpleCW is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is VibeSDR free?
VibeSDR costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do SimpleCW or VibeSDR have ads?
Neither SimpleCW nor VibeSDR shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SimpleCW or VibeSDR?
SimpleCW ships an update every 5 weeks, and VibeSDR every 2 weeks. Most recently, SimpleCW was updated on October 8, 2026 and VibeSDR on October 6, 2026.

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