# PhosphorTEX vs Spectrum SDR (RTL

The clearest difference is price: Spectrum SDR (RTL at Free against PhosphorTEX's $0.99. Spectrum SDR (RTL also leads on update cadence (every 11 days vs every 5 months) and device support (3 vs 1). PhosphorTEX's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On ads and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Spectrum SDR (RTL is free to download; PhosphorTEX costs $0.99 up front. Spectrum SDR (RTL sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. PhosphorTEX asks for nothing beyond the download.

PhosphorTEX ships an update every 5 months, Spectrum SDR (RTL every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PhosphorTEX | Spectrum SDR (RTL |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $0.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | — | **[4.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spectrum-sdr-rtl-sdr/id6764391865/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **2** |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 11 days** |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Size | 3 MB | 7 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.4 | **26.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Stuart Woolley](https://appshunter.io/developer/315697638) | [James Mainwaring](https://appshunter.io/developer/1895761181) |

## What reviewers say

### PhosphorTEX

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phosphortex/id6762761951)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Spectrum SDR (RTL

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spectrum-sdr-rtl-sdr/id6764391865)

Explore radio signals with your RTL-SDR dongle. Listen to AM/FM/SSB/CW, view FFT and waterfall displays, and customize your experience. Requires a remote rtl_tcp instance over WiFi.

**Highlights:** Full frequency range support, AM, FM, SSB, CW reception, FFT and Waterfall displays, Adjustable sample rates, Bias tee and gain controls, Squelch functionality, Customizable display options

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full Version | $2.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PhosphorTEX free?

PhosphorTEX costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Spectrum SDR (RTL free?

Spectrum SDR (RTL is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do PhosphorTEX or Spectrum SDR (RTL have ads?

Neither PhosphorTEX nor Spectrum SDR (RTL shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, PhosphorTEX or Spectrum SDR (RTL?

PhosphorTEX ships an update every 5 months, and Spectrum SDR (RTL every 11 days. Most recently, PhosphorTEX was updated on October 11, 2026 and Spectrum SDR (RTL on September 23, 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.*