SimpleCW vs UberSDR
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side โ with what reviewers say about each.
SimpleCW
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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.
UberSDR
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UberSDR makes your iPhone or iPad the front end of a real radio receiver, anywhere in the world. Pick one from the public directory โ dozens of them, run by enthusiasts from Scotland to Brazil โ or find a receiver on your own network. No account, no sign-up, no hardware: you are listening within seconds. Tune by spinning the frequency dial, dragging the waterfall, or tapping a marker. Signals arrive on a live spectrum and waterfall you can zoom and hold. Choose LSB, USB, AM, SAM, NFM, FM or CW, set the passband by hand, and pull a weak station out of the noise with noise reduction, a notch filter and squelch. Shortwave broadcasters, the amateur bands, aviation, marine, time signals and stranger things besides. A band plan and live DX cluster spots say what you are hearing; bookmarks take you back to it. Audio carries on when you lock the screen or move to another app, with the usual controls on the lock screen. Everything stays on your device. Nothing is collected, and there is nothing to sign in to.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: UberSDR at none against SimpleCW's 1. UberSDR also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 5 weeks) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS
Both are free to download. SimpleCW sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. UberSDR asks for nothing beyond the download.
SimpleCW ships an update every 5 weeks, UberSDR weekly. Both last shipped on September 21, 2026.
| Parameter | SimpleCW | UberSDR |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | Weekly โ better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No โ better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 15.0 โ better |
| Further details โ not scored | ||
| Size | 14 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Jeroen Rombouts | Nathan Higgins |
In-app purchases
SimpleCW
- Unlock TX Modes$2.99
UberSDR
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is SimpleCW free?
Is UberSDR free?
Do SimpleCW or UberSDR have ads?
Which is updated more often, SimpleCW or UberSDR?
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