# MeshCoreScanner vs HamSat

MeshCoreScanner and HamSat both sit at 4.5 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of MeshCoreScanner's written reviews are positive against 50% of HamSat's. MeshCoreScanner also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1). HamSat's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs every 6 weeks). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. HamSat sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. MeshCoreScanner asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for MeshCoreScanner against 4.4 for HamSat. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 5 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 100% of MeshCoreScanner's written reviews are positive against 50% of HamSat's.

MeshCoreScanner ships an update every 6 weeks, HamSat every 2 days. Both last shipped on October 17, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | MeshCoreScanner | HamSat |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/meshcorescanner/id6761951768/reviews)** | [4.4 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hamsat-ham-satellite-tracker/id6762450814/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **5** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Every 2 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 1 MB | 11 MB |
| Requires iOS | **26.0** | 26.4 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Jaroslaw Karas](https://appshunter.io/developer/1873177164) | [Vasco Barreiros](https://appshunter.io/developer/1451715392) |

## What reviewers say

### MeshCoreScanner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/meshcorescanner/id6761951768)

This app maps LoRa mesh network coverage in real-time by connecting to compatible BLE radio devices. It plots scan points and discovered repeaters on a map, cataloging signal quality and discovery history. Organize scans into sessions and export data for external analysis.

**Highlights:** Live coverage mapping on OpenStreetMap, Repeater database with discovery history, Coverage visualization per repeater, Organized scan sessions, Background scanning with GPS/BLE, GeoJSON data export, Fully offline functionality

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### HamSat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hamsat-ham-satellite-tracker/id6762450814)

Track satellite passes with real-time azimuth, elevation, and Doppler-corrected frequencies. Features an Apple Watch companion for wrist-based aiming and pass tracking, and allows users to stamp photos with operational data.

**Highlights:** Apple Watch companion for pass tracking and antenna aiming, Live sky dome with real-time satellite arcs, Aim mode with phone compass and haptic feedback, Doppler-corrected frequencies for operating during passes, Photo stamping with callsign, grid, satellite, and UTC time, Offline satellite tracking and propagation, Geostationary satellite tracking

**Features:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| HamSat Pro | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is MeshCoreScanner free?

MeshCoreScanner is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is HamSat free?

HamSat is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, MeshCoreScanner or HamSat?

MeshCoreScanner is rated higher. MeshCoreScanner averages 4.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while HamSat averages 4.4 from 5 ratings.

### Do MeshCoreScanner or HamSat have ads?

Neither MeshCoreScanner nor HamSat shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, MeshCoreScanner or HamSat?

MeshCoreScanner ships an update every 6 weeks, and HamSat every 2 days. Most recently, MeshCoreScanner was updated on October 17, 2026 and HamSat on October 17, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*