MeshCore Update vs Phantom
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
MeshCore Update
This utility app facilitates firmware updates for compatible MeshCore repeater devices. It supports both Bluetooth DFU and Wi-Fi OTA update methods, allowing users to download firmware, manage local files, and initiate the update process.
- Bluetooth DFU updates
- Wi-Fi OTA updates
- Check official firmware releases
- Download firmware packages
- Local firmware file management
- Scan for compatible devices
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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.
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: MeshCore Update at 100% against Phantom's 0%. MeshCore Update also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.7). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
MeshCore Update holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 3 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of MeshCore Update's written reviews are positive against 0% of Phantom's.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 4 days. Both last shipped on October 7, 2026.
| Parameter | MeshCore Update | Phantom |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better | 3.7 (3 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 3 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 4 days | Every 4 days |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 — better | 26.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 10 MB | 778 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Aleksandrs Sergejevs | Antonio Lambert |
Customer experience
MeshCore Update
Phantom
In-app purchases
MeshCore Update
No in-app purchases
Phantom
No in-app purchases
