Comparison

SimpleFT8 vs MSafe Pro

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

Head to head
About

SimpleFT8

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
Read full description

SimpleFT8 is a native macOS and iOS app for FT8 and FT4, the weak-signal digital modes used by amateur radio operators worldwide. WHAT IS FT8? FT8 is a structured digital mode for ham radio. Stations alternate transmitting and receiving in synchronized 15-second slots, exchanging compact messages over a narrow audio bandwidth. The mode decodes successfully at signal levels well below the noise floor — operators routinely make contacts on a watt or two of power with stations on the other side of the planet. SimpleFT8 puts a real digital station in your pocket. Decode signals using your device's microphone or a USB audio interface and send replies in the next slot. The manual station and local logbook work without an account. WHAT YOU GET • Live decode table per 15-second FT8 or 7.5-second FT4 slot • Slot-aligned transmitter with a structured QSO composer (CQ / reply / report / RR73 / 73) • Tap any decode to start a QSO — the state machine handles the rest of the handshake • Built-in waterfall display with tap-to-set TX frequency • Local QSO logbook with search, editing, ADIF import/export, and complete native backup/restore • Map of stations you've decoded with their Maidenhead grids SIMPLEFT8 FREE Free includes unlimited FT8/FT4 receive, waterfall and decode history; microphone and USB audio; manual CQ, reply and complete QSO exchanges; all TX safety controls; local logging and full portable ADIF import/export; and the basic community map. SIMPLEFT8 PRO — ONE-TIME LIFETIME UNLOCK Pro adds automatic replies, custom-message looping, CAT/PTT rig control, macOS System Audio capture, autonomous band hopping, advanced export scopes, direct QRZ Logbook transfer, and private iCloud log sync. No subscription. Customers who bought SimpleFT8 before it became Free receive Pro automatically. PSK REPORTER + PRESENCE (OPT-IN) If you turn it on in Settings: • Decode reports forwarded to PSK Reporter so you contribute to the global propagation map (rate-limited server-side) • See who heard you in the last 15 minutes, plotted on the map • See other SimpleFT8 operators currently online, on the same map Both toggles are off by default. QRZ transfer and private iCloud log sync are also separately configured and off by default. WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT • Native Swift/SwiftUI — no Electron, no Qt port. Looks and feels like a Mac/iOS app should. • Pro System Audio capture on macOS via ScreenCaptureKit — decode straight from SDR software, WebSDR, or any audio your machine is playing, without a virtual cable. • Random caller selection rather than first-come — every station in a pile-up has an equal shot at being picked. • Opinionated QSO state machine handles slot parity, role alternation, and protocol step transitions so you don't have to fight the radio. PRIVACY The app is foreground-only on iOS — the mic stops when the app goes to background. macOS keeps audio I/O alive (long FT8 sessions are the norm). Optional community and logbook integrations are clearly opt-in. No analytics, no tracking, no ads, and no subscription. Built by a ham operator for ham operators. 73 de PD3BAL.

About

MSafe Pro

Features
Read full description

MSafe is a password manager that stays on your device. There is no cloud, no account, and no way for the app to send your data anywhere - it ships with no networking code at all. UNLOCK - Face ID or Touch ID, backed by the Secure Enclave - Master password always works as a fallback - Optional auto-lock when you leave the app FILL - Use MSafe as a Password AutoFill provider in Safari and apps - One tap to fill a login, gated by Face ID or your master password ORGANIZE - Service, username, password, notes, website, and color-coded tags - Built-in secure password generator - Password health check flags weak and reused passwords BACK UP ON YOUR TERMS - Export your vault as an encrypted .msafe file - Print credentials as scannable encrypted QR codes (PDF) - Write entries to NFC tags - Every export is encrypted with your master password, so you decide where a backup lives and when it moves PRIVATE BY DESIGN - No account, no sign-up, no email - No analytics, no crash reporting, no advertising, no tracking - No subscription - After ten failed unlock attempts the vault is wiped - there is no back door and no recovery email Your passwords. On your phone. Yours alone.

Screenshots

SimpleFT83 screens
MSafe Pro4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

Scored on Price Ā· Rating Ā· Positive reviews Ā· Number of ratings Ā· Update frequency Ā· Ads Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Monetization Ā· Best chart rank Ā· Devices Ā· Requires iOS

CostPrice Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Ads Ā· Monetization

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

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SimpleFT8 ships an update every 3 days, MSafe Pro weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences Ā· 5 level
SimpleFT8 versus MSafe Pro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimpleFT8MSafe Pro
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterWeekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJeroen RomboutsDaniel Martins Albuquerque

In-app purchases

1 purchases

SimpleFT8

One-time1
  • SimpleFT8 Pro$3.99
None

MSafe Pro

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SimpleFT8 free?
SimpleFT8 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is MSafe Pro free?
MSafe Pro is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do SimpleFT8 or MSafe Pro have ads?
Neither SimpleFT8 nor MSafe Pro shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SimpleFT8 or MSafe Pro?
SimpleFT8 ships an update every 3 days, and MSafe Pro weekly. Most recently, SimpleFT8 was updated on September 21, 2026 and MSafe Pro on September 17, 2026.

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