# CQ Satellites vs SimpleFT8

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: CQ Satellites at none against SimpleFT8's 1. SimpleFT8's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 2 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SimpleFT8 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. CQ Satellites asks for nothing beyond the download.

CQ Satellites ships an update every 2 months, SimpleFT8 every 3 days. Both last shipped on September 21, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | CQ Satellites | SimpleFT8 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Size | 4 MB | 6 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Digimangos Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896225985) | [Jeroen Rombouts](https://appshunter.io/developer/1863358112) |

## What reviewers say

### CQ Satellites

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cq-satellites/id6766178765)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### SimpleFT8

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simpleft8/id6768739415)

This app enables ham radio operators to send and receive digital signals using FT8 and FT4 modes. It facilitates long-distance communication even in challenging conditions, allowing for local logging and optional global propagation mapping.

**Highlights:** Live decode table, Slot-aligned transmitter with QSO composer, Built-in waterfall display, Local QSO logbook with ADIF export, Map of decoded stations, Optional PSK Reporter integration

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| SimpleFT8 Pro | $3.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is CQ Satellites free?

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

### Is SimpleFT8 free?

SimpleFT8 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do CQ Satellites or SimpleFT8 have ads?

Neither CQ Satellites nor SimpleFT8 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, CQ Satellites or SimpleFT8?

CQ Satellites ships an update every 2 months, and SimpleFT8 every 3 days. Most recently, CQ Satellites was updated on September 21, 2026 and SimpleFT8 on September 21, 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.*