Comparison

SimpleCW vs Mona Radio

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

Mona Radio

This app provides a modern interface for amateur radio operators, integrating spectrum, waterfall, tuning, and digital modes like FT8 and FreeDV. It offers logging services and supports a growing range of amateur radios across Apple devices.

Highlights
  • Spectrum and waterfall views
  • Integrated FT8 decoding
  • FreeDV and RADE digital voice support
  • QSO logging and synchronization
  • Support for multiple amateur radios
  • Adaptive interface for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV
Features
Read full description

Mona Radio brings amateur radio into a modern Apple experience. Built for operators who care about both the radio and the experience around it, Mona Radio combines spectrum and waterfall, tuning and controls, receive audio, digital modes, diagnostics, logging, and more in a native Apple interface. Designed for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV, Mona adapts to each device instead of stretching the same screen everywhere. SEE YOUR RADIO Explore live RF activity through responsive spectrum and waterfall views designed for touch, pointer, and larger displays. Tune from the spectrum, adjust operating controls, monitor signals, and choose the view that fits the way you operate. FT8, BUILT IN Decode activity, watch the waterfall, browse Band Activity, inspect station information, and work with FT8 without leaving the radio-control experience. Where transmission is supported, Mona uses deliberate transmit controls and keeps radio state visible. FREEDV AND RADE DIGITAL VOICE FreeDV and RADE bring digital voice into the same integrated experience. Availability follows the capabilities of the connected radio, with automatic RADE V1/V2 receive selection and integrated radio control where supported. Preview capabilities are clearly identified in the interface. LOG WHERE YOU OPERATE Log Services connect Mona Radio with supported online log services and local logging apps, bringing QSO logging and synchronization closer to the rest of your operating workflow. MORE RADIOS, ONE EXPERIENCE Mona Radio supports a growing range of amateur radios. Supported: Icom IC-705 Icom IC-7300 Preview: Icom IC-7300MK2 Icom IC-9700 Icom IC-7610 Icom IC-7760 Icom IC-R8600 — Receive Only Yaesu FT-710 Yaesu FT-891 FlexRadio FLEX-6400 Elecraft K4 / K4D / K4HD Feature availability varies by radio model, connection type, Apple platform, and validation status. Not every feature is available on every radio. See Supported Radios inside Mona Radio or visit monaradio.com/radios for current details. Network-connected radios communicate directly with Mona Radio over your local or private network. On Mac, selected radios can also use supported direct USB connections. HELP IMPROVE PREVIEW RADIO SUPPORT Preview integrations are actively being refined. If you use a Preview radio and encounter a connection, control, audio, spectrum, digital-mode, or transmit issue, we'd love to hear from you. Please contact support@monaradio.com. If possible, include your radio model, Apple device, connection type, Mona Radio version, and a Diagnostics export. BUILT FOR THE APPLE ECOSYSTEM On iPhone, Mona keeps the radio close at hand. On iPad, the larger display becomes a spacious operating surface. On Mac, Mona takes advantage of desktop space, keyboard and pointer interaction, and supported direct radio connections. Apple TV provides a receive-focused Radio Wall experience. DESIGNED TO TELL THE TRUTH Mona favors confirmed radio state, clear connection feedback, guarded transmit controls, and diagnostics that help explain what is actually happening instead of hiding problems behind a generic error. Supported, Preview, and Receive Only capabilities are identified separately. BUILT TO Preview: FlexRadio FLEX-6600; Elecraft K3 / K3S. Features vary by radio model and connection. Extend the life of radios. Preserve the memories carried with them.

Screenshots

SimpleCW4 screens
Mona Radio3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Mona Radio at every 9 days against SimpleCW's every 5 weeks. Mona Radio also leads on device support (5 vs 3). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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

Both are free to download. SimpleCW sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Mona Radio sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SimpleCW ships an update every 5 weeks, Mona Radio every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
SimpleCW versus Mona Radio: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimpleCWMona Radio
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size14 MB74 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJeroen Rombouts曦 余

In-app purchases

1 purchases

SimpleCW

One-time1
  • Premium Modes Unlock$2.99
4 purchases

Mona Radio

One-time4
  • Small Support$1.99
  • Supporter$4.99
  • Generous Support$9.99
Show 1 more
  • Mona Radio Pro$24.99

Questions

Is SimpleCW free?
SimpleCW is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Mona Radio free?
Mona Radio is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do SimpleCW or Mona Radio have ads?
Neither SimpleCW nor Mona Radio shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SimpleCW or Mona Radio?
SimpleCW ships an update every 5 weeks, and Mona Radio every 9 days. Most recently, SimpleCW was updated on October 28, 2026 and Mona Radio on October 29, 2026.

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