Comparison

MeshCore Update vs Phantom

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

Head to head
About

MeshCore Update

Features
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MeshCore Update is a hardware utility app for updating supported MeshCore repeater devices. The app supports two firmware update methods: • Bluetooth DFU for supported nRF52-based MeshCore devices • Wi-Fi OTA for supported ESP32-based MeshCore devices You can select a supported hardware target, check official MeshCore firmware releases, download matching firmware packages, keep firmware files locally on your iPhone, and start the update flow from one place. For Bluetooth DFU devices, the app scans for compatible OTA / DFU devices and uploads the selected firmware package over Bluetooth. For ESP32 devices, the app connects to the device’s MeshCore OTA Wi-Fi access point and uploads the selected firmware using the device’s local OTA update interface. No login or account is required. Full firmware update testing requires supported MeshCore hardware. Without hardware, you can still browse supported targets, check official releases, download firmware files, and manage the local firmware repository.

About

Phantom

This app enables off-grid voice and text communication over mesh networks, functioning without cell towers, Wi-Fi, or internet. It utilizes Meshtastic-compatible LoRa hardware for direct peer-to-peer messaging.

Highlights
  • Off-grid voice and text messaging
  • Works without cell towers, Wi-Fi, or internet
  • Hold-to-talk voice reconstruction
  • Bluetooth connectivity to Meshtastic LoRa nodes
  • Interoperable with standard Meshtastic app
Features
Read full description

Phantom is an off-grid messaging app for mesh networks - voice and text that works when everything else fails. No cell towers, no wifi, no internet, no servers, no monthly fees. Hold to talk. Your voice gets reconstructed on the other end. No audio ever crosses the radio. Works with any Meshtastic-compatible LoRa node over Bluetooth. Interoperates with the standard Meshtastic app. Requires Meshtastic - compatible LoRa hardware. The future is mesh. Phantom brings voice to it.

Screenshots

MeshCore Update3 screens
Phantom4 screens

Verdict

The call

MeshCore Update and Phantom are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 6, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
MeshCore Update versus Phantom: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMeshCore UpdatePhantom
PriceFreeFree
Rating—3.7 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—3 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 daysEvery 4 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS26.0 — better26.4
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB778 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAleksandrs SergejevsAntonio Lambert

In-app purchases

None

MeshCore Update

No in-app purchases

None

Phantom

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is MeshCore Update free?
MeshCore Update is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Phantom free?
Phantom is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do MeshCore Update or Phantom have ads?
Neither MeshCore Update nor Phantom shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MeshCore Update or Phantom?
MeshCore Update ships an update every 4 days, and Phantom every 4 days. Most recently, MeshCore Update was updated on September 19, 2026 and Phantom on September 6, 2026.

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