Comparison

Greyline FT8 vs PCB Studio Maker

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

Head to head
About

Greyline FT8

This app provides a portable digital ham radio experience for field operations on iOS devices. It automates callsign lookups, displays real-time spot data, and offers automated calling or manual control for QSOs. Features include intelligent frequency selection, audio delay adjustment, and direct logging to QRZ.

Highlights
  • Field-ready digital ham radio
  • Automated callsign and DXCC lookups
  • Real-time PSK Reporter spot data
  • Automated CQ Gatherer and Hunter modes
  • Intelligent automatic frequency selection
  • Direct-to-QRZ logging and ADI export
Features
Read full description

Greyline FT8 is a highly portable, capable amateur radio app designed specifically for field operation with an iOS device. I designed this app because I got very used to my full-stack FT8 solution: GridTracker, WSJT-X, PSK Reporter, WRL Desktop, several browser tabs, and more. But I didn't want the bulk and weight of a full Windows PC in the field. At the same time, while there are excellent and lightweight FT8 iOS solutions out there, they were lacking features I really wanted. Greyline is everything you need and nothing you don't. It automatically locates your grid square, performs callsign and calling station DXCC lookups (internet access required), and can even show you real-time spot data from PSK Reporter. Want to adjust your directional antenna? Now you've got the info you need to do it! Greyline also incorporates automated calling features. Gatherer mode calls CQ, responds to the first reply it gets, finishes the QSO and returns to calling CQ all without your input. On the other side of things, Hunter mode listens for CQ calls and pounces on them, finishing a QSO then returning to the live band to find the next. Or, take control of the conversation yourself with standard mode. That's the experience you're already used to from WSJT-X and other digital mode apps. Some other noteworthy features are: - Intelligent automatic free frequency selection - Dynamically adjusted audio delay for virtually drift-free message timing - PSK Reporter integrated Live Spots - Direct-to-QRZ, WRL and private Cloudlog logging and ADI export - Configurable waterfall settings - CQ addendums - CQ filtering for contesting and general courteous operation - Configurable retransmissions - Intelligent log recovery (didn't get that last 73 but want to log the contact anyway? Now you can!) - Log import and export - Antenna tuning - POTA Autospotting - One touch POTA activation and POTA.app-compatible ADIF export - Multiple POTA activation support - And so much more! Greyline uses audio VOX and not serial PTT. Most radios support this with simple cabling or an audio interface like a Digirig. For helpful tips on cabling and configuring popular radios, visit the Support URL below. Built by a ham, for hams, I'm very open to your feedback and hope Greyline can be your field companion. Want to share your own Field Notes (https://greylineft8.com/fieldnotes.html)? Email me at support@greylineft8.com!

About

PCB Studio Maker

Features
Read full description

PCB Studio Maker is a modern PCB design workspace built for Mac, iPhone and iPad. Create electronic projects from schematic to finished board using a clean, focused interface designed for fast prototyping, learning and real-world hardware development. Start with your schematic, organize components and nets, sync your design with the PCB layout, route tracks, inspect connections and preview your board in 3D before preparing it for manufacturing. KEY FEATURES • Schematic Design Create and organize electronic circuits with components, pins, nets and footprints. • PCB Layout Editor Place components, route copper tracks, add vias, inspect layers and refine your board layout. • Component Library Browse common resistors, capacitors, LEDs, connectors, ICs, MOSFETs, drivers, regulators and other electronic components. • 3D Board Preview Visualize your PCB and component placement in an interactive 3D view. • Design Rule Checks Review warnings, connectivity issues and potential design problems before manufacturing. • Manufacturing Preparation Review board layers, footprints, routing and fabrication requirements before export. • Export Tools Prepare manufacturing packages, board previews, parts lists, project files and other useful design outputs. • Multi-Device Workflow Use PCB Studio Maker on Mac, iPhone and iPad and continue designing wherever you work. PCB Studio Maker is useful for: • Electronics students • Makers and hobbyists • Embedded developers • Robotics projects • IoT development • Prototype electronics • PCB experimentation • Hardware engineers Whether you are building a simple prototype, motor controller, sensor board, embedded system or custom electronics project, PCB Studio Maker gives you the tools to move from idea to physical board in one streamlined workspace. Design. Route. Preview. Manufacture. Build your next PCB with PCB Studio Maker. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ The app uses Apple's Standard Licensed Application End User License Agreement.

Screenshots

Greyline FT84 screens
PCB Studio Maker4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: PCB Studio Maker at Free against Greyline FT8's $3.99. PCB Studio Maker also leads on iOS requirement (17.6 vs 26.5). Greyline FT8's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On update cadence, ads and device support 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

PCB Studio Maker is free to download; Greyline FT8 costs $3.99 up front. PCB Studio Maker sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per month. Greyline FT8 asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Greyline FT8 ships an update every 4 days, PCB Studio Maker every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Greyline FT8 versus PCB Studio Maker: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGreyline FT8PCB Studio Maker
Price$3.99Free — better
Rating4.8 (12 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews90.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings12 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 daysEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS26.517.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJONATHAN MARK SCHULMANMirza Pasic

In-app purchases

None

Greyline FT8

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

PCB Studio Maker

Subscriptions1
  • PCB Studio Pro$4.991 Month

Questions

Is Greyline FT8 free?
Greyline FT8 costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is PCB Studio Maker free?
PCB Studio Maker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Greyline FT8 or PCB Studio Maker have ads?
Neither Greyline FT8 nor PCB Studio Maker shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Greyline FT8 or PCB Studio Maker?
Greyline FT8 ships an update every 4 days, and PCB Studio Maker every 3 days. Most recently, Greyline FT8 was updated on October 3, 2026 and PCB Studio Maker on October 13, 2026.

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