Comparison

MeshCoreScanner vs Phantom

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

Head to head
About

MeshCoreScanner

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
Read full description

MeshCoreScanner is a companion app for MeshCore BLE radio devices that maps LoRa mesh network coverage in real time. Connect to your MeshCore companion radio via Bluetooth Low Energy and start scanning for nearby repeaters as you move. The app automatically triggers discovery scans based on distance traveled or time intervals, logging every repeater response with signal strength, SNR, and GPS coordinates. KEY FEATURES • Live Coverage Mapping — Scan points and discovered repeaters are plotted on an OpenStreetMap-based map as you travel • Repeater Database — All discovered repeaters are cataloged with signal quality, node type, coordinates, and discovery history • Coverage Visualization — View per-repeater coverage areas based on aggregated scan data • Scan Sessions — Organize your scanning activity into sessions for easy comparison and management • Scan-to-Repeater Lines — Tap any scan point to see connections to all repeaters heard at that location • Background Scanning — Continues scanning while the app is in the background using GPS and BLE • Distance or Time Trigger — Configure scans to trigger every X meters or every X seconds • Data Management — Delete repeaters by age or distance, filter imports, manage sessions • GeoJSON Export — Share your coverage data for analysis in external tools • Fully Offline — All data is stored locally on your device, no account or internet connection required REQUIREMENTS • A MeshCore-compatible BLE companion radio device • iPhone with Bluetooth Low Energy support • Location permission for GPS-based scan mapping MeshCoreScanner is built for the MeshCore LoRa mesh networking community. Whether you're planning repeater placement, verifying coverage, or exploring network reach — this app gives you the data you need.

About

Phantom

This app enables off-grid voice and text communication over mesh networks, functioning without cell towers, Wi-Fi, or internet. It utilizes Meshtastic-compatible LoRa hardware for direct peer-to-peer messaging.

Highlights
  • Off-grid voice and text messaging
  • Works without cell towers, Wi-Fi, or internet
  • Hold-to-talk voice reconstruction
  • Bluetooth connectivity to Meshtastic LoRa nodes
  • Interoperable with standard Meshtastic app
Features
Read full description

Phantom is an off-grid messaging app for mesh networks - voice and text that works when everything else fails. No cell towers, no wifi, no internet, no servers, no monthly fees. Hold to talk. Your voice gets reconstructed on the other end. No audio ever crosses the radio. Works with any Meshtastic-compatible LoRa node over Bluetooth. Interoperates with the standard Meshtastic app. Requires Meshtastic - compatible LoRa hardware. The future is mesh. Phantom brings voice to it.

Screenshots

MeshCoreScanner2 screens
Phantom4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: MeshCoreScanner at 100% against Phantom's 0%. MeshCoreScanner also leads on rating (4.5 vs 3.7). Phantom's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs monthly). On price, ratings volume, 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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

MeshCoreScanner holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 3 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of MeshCoreScanner's written reviews are positive against 0% of Phantom's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MeshCoreScanner ships an update monthly, Phantom every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on July 9, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
MeshCoreScanner versus Phantom: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMeshCoreScannerPhantom
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (2 ratings) — better3.7 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings23 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS26.0 — better26.4
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB778 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJaroslaw KarasAntonio Lambert

Customer experience

MeshCoreScanner

Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Phantom

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

MeshCoreScanner

No in-app purchases

None

Phantom

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is MeshCoreScanner free?
MeshCoreScanner is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Phantom free?
Phantom is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, MeshCoreScanner or Phantom?
MeshCoreScanner is rated higher. MeshCoreScanner averages 4.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Phantom averages 3.7 from 3 ratings.
Do MeshCoreScanner or Phantom have ads?
Neither MeshCoreScanner nor Phantom shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MeshCoreScanner or Phantom?
MeshCoreScanner ships an update monthly, and Phantom every 4 days. Most recently, MeshCoreScanner was updated on July 9, 2026 and Phantom on September 20, 2026.

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