Comparison

SimpleFT8 vs AES67 Handy

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, advanced export scopes, direct QRZ Logbook transfer, and private iCloud log sync. On macOS, Pro also adds Icom CI-V CAT/PTT and VFO control over a serial connection, System Audio capture, and autonomous band hopping. CAT/PTT rig control and band hopping are not available on iPhone or iPad. 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

AES67 Handy

Read full description

AES67 Handy is a network audio utility for live sound engineers. It discovers AES67 & ST2110-30 & RAVENNA devices on the local network, shows live channel levels, and provides volume, mute, hide and lock controls. It also lists AES67 & ST2110-30 streams via SAP. Works on iPhone and iPad. No data is collected.

Screenshots

SimpleFT83 screens
AES67 Handy3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: AES67 Handy at none against SimpleFT8's 1. AES67 Handy also leads on iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). On price, ads and device support 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. AES67 Handy asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard2 real differences Ā· 6 level
SimpleFT8 versus AES67 Handy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimpleFT8AES67 Handy
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS17.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJeroen RomboutsDigisyn Co.,Ltd

In-app purchases

1 purchases

SimpleFT8

One-time1
  • SimpleFT8 Pro$3.99
None

AES67 Handy

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SimpleFT8 free?
SimpleFT8 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is AES67 Handy free?
AES67 Handy is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do SimpleFT8 or AES67 Handy have ads?
Neither SimpleFT8 nor AES67 Handy shows ads.

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