Comparison

SOTA Log vs Ham Logging

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

Head to head
About

SOTA Log

Log SOTA and POTA contacts quickly from the field with a single-field input for QSOs. Features live spotting, radio synchronization, and offline functionality for seamless operation.

Highlights
  • One-field QSO logging
  • Live SOTA/POTA spotting
  • Radio frequency and mode sync
  • SMS spotting without data
  • QRZ callsign lookup
  • ADIF log export
  • Offline operation
Features
Read full description

The fastest way to log SOTA and POTA contacts from the field. Type a callsign, hit Send, and you're ready for the next station. SOTA Log is built for operators who need speed on the summit, not menus, settings, or setup screens. ONE-FIELD LOGGING Type your entire QSO in a single field. Callsign, RST, frequency, mode, and references are parsed inline as you type. Frequency carries over. Mode derives from band. Everything you'd normally tap through just works. LIVE SPOTS Browse real-time SOTA and POTA spots filtered by program and mode. Tap a spot to prefill your QSO and tune your radio in one step. SOTACAT RADIO SYNC Connect to your Elecraft KX2, KX3, or KH1 for automatic frequency and mode sync, one-tap spot pouncing, and a CW keyer with six programmable macros. SOTAMAT SPOTTING Spot yourself via SMS with no cell data required. SOTA and POTA spots are sent through SOTAmat so chasers can find you even without internet. QRZ & ADIF Look up callsigns and sync your logs to QRZ Logbook. Export ADIF filtered for SOTA or POTA submissions. OFFLINE FIRST All logging works without internet. Reference databases, contact history, and activation progress live on-device. Network features enhance the experience but never gate it.

About

Ham Logging

Read full description

Ham Logging is a comprehensive QSO logging app for amateur radio operators. It serves as a master log that syncs with the most popular ham radio platforms — LoTW, eQSL, ClubLog, QRZ.com Logbook, HRDLog.net, CloudLog, Wavelog, N1MM Logger+, and more — so you keep one log instead of juggling many. KEY FEATURES • Full ADIF 3.1.4 import and export with spec-correct UTF-8 length prefixes • CSV and JSON round-trip backup across every stored field • QRZ.com lookup with auto-search, profile photo, and local cache • 21 logging-service integrations: 10 with live API, 11 export-ready • Incremental sync — never re-uploads what you have already sent • Bidirectional LoTW / eQSL / ClubLog / QRZ / CloudLog / Wavelog • N1MM Logger+ UDP bridge on your local network • Rover Mode: large-target, voice-dictated callsign entry for mobile operating • POTA, SOTA, WWFF, contest, and propagation-mode fields with dedicated UI • Per-QSO QSL card export — themed, code-rendered PNG • Monthly and yearly statistics with shareable bar-chart images PROPAGATION AND MAP • World map with great-circle bearing lines to every worked station • Gray-line terminator overlay with aurora layer (NOAA OVATION) • 24-hour MUF prediction with band openings • PSK Reporter + WSPR path prediction heatmap • Live solar terrestrial data and band-by-band DX potential • Unified Spots tab — DX cluster, POTA, and contests in one place PRIVACY-FIRST • No accounts, no ads, no analytics, no third-party tracking SDKs • All QSO data stays on your device — sync only happens when you tap Sync • Microphone permission is used only by Rover Mode voice dictation; audio is processed by the operating system speech engine and never recorded or transmitted • Local-network permission is requested only if you configure the N1MM bridge DARK MODE + ACCESSIBILITY • Theme-aware throughout — every dialog, panel, and chart respects dark mode • Font-scale slider for global text sizing • Tips & Tricks — 100 rotating contextual hints, toggleable from Settings Built solo by Yousuf AL Balushi (A46UNX) — Unixeer. Designed for the amateur radio community to simplify QSO logging and synchronization across multiple services.

Screenshots

SOTA Log4 screens
Ham Logging4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Ham Logging at 13.0 against SOTA Log's 17.0. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
SOTA Log versus Ham Logging: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSOTA LogHam Logging
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightlyFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB30 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChristopher HuntYousif AL Balushi

In-app purchases

None

SOTA Log

No in-app purchases

None

Ham Logging

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SOTA Log free?
SOTA Log is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Ham Logging free?
Ham Logging is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do SOTA Log or Ham Logging have ads?
Neither SOTA Log nor Ham Logging shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SOTA Log or Ham Logging?
SOTA Log ships an update fortnightly, and Ham Logging fortnightly. Most recently, SOTA Log was updated on September 20, 2026 and Ham Logging on September 10, 2026.

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