AimSat vs APRS Tracker Digi iGate
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
AimSat
Read full descriptionHide full description
Point your phone - or your antenna - at any satellite in real time. AimSat gives you live azimuth and elevation for over 50 satellites: the International Space Station, MUOS military UHF birds, WGS broadband relays, amateur AMSAT passes, weather satellites, and more. WHAT IT DOES - Live sky position (azimuth + elevation) updated every second from your GPS - SGP4/SDP4 orbital propagation - the same math NASA uses, running on-device - Antenna alignment mode: hold your phone like a tray, tilt it up, and the crosshair tells you exactly where to point - Pass notifications: get alerted before a satellite rises over your horizon - Garmin watch support: az/el values mirror to your wrist hands-free - Filter by category: ISS, Amateur, Weather, GEO, MUOS, WGS - Pin, hide, and sort satellites to match your workflow - Full ground-track map with sub-satellite point AIMSAT PRO Upgrade once ($2.99) and unlock the 7-day pass planner - see every satellite window for the full week ahead, export passes to your calendar, and plan before you're in the field. No subscription, ever. BUILT FOR OPERATORS Whether you're a ham radio operator chasing FM satellites, a SATCOM technician aligning a terminal, or just someone who wants to wave at the ISS - AimSat has the precision you need without the bloat you don't. PRIVACY Your location never leaves your device. No accounts, no analytics, no tracking. Orbital data is fetched from CelesTrak and Space-Track; everything else runs offline. Map data (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, under the Open Database License (ODbL).
APRS Tracker Digi iGate
Read full descriptionHide full description
Stay visible. Stay connected. This app is a tool for radio amateurs, civil defense volunteer teams, and operators using the APRS protocol in field activities. The app allows you to transmit your position to the APRS-IS network via the internet and also operate directly via radio using AX.25 packets with 1200 AFSK modulation. It can be used for individual tracking, local communication, and supporting the infrastructure of an APRS network. Whether in expeditions, amateur radio events, travel in remote areas, or search and humanitarian aid operations, APRS Tracker provides features to track stations, share points of interest, and expand APRS coverage. KEY FEATURES APRS-IS Tracking Send your GPS coordinates to APRS-IS servers via the device's internet connection. Positions can be tracked on compatible public services, such as aprs.fi. AX.25 / 1200 AFSK RF Mode Transmit and receive APRS packets through the device's audio input and output. With a radio and a compatible audio interface, you can operate via RF even without internet access. APRS Digipeater Use the app as a digital repeater to extend the range of stations in the area. The Digipeater processes paths compatible with New-N rules and includes controls against loops, invalid paths, and duplicate packets. iGate Mode Forward valid packets received via radio to APRS-IS, allowing local stations to be viewed on the worldwide APRS network. Optional internet-to-RF forwarding features packet type selection, radius definition, security filters, and frequency limits. APRS Objects Register important points, such as shelters, support bases, aid posts, repeaters, obstacles, risk areas, or meeting places. Each object can contain a name, coordinates, symbol, and message, with publication via internet and/or RF. Mobile or Fixed Station Use dynamic location while on the move or configure fixed coordinates to operate as a base, iGate, Digipeater, or support station. Symbols and Status Messages Choose the APRS symbol representing your station, vehicle, or activity, and add a message to inform your condition or mission. Communication Monitoring Track sent and received packets in the integrated terminal, along with the status of the APRS-IS connection and RF operation. Automatic Reconnection After temporary internet interruptions, the app attempts to re-establish the connection with the APRS-IS server. USE CASES Tracking during trips, expeditions, and outdoor activities. Monitoring of vehicles and volunteer teams in the field. Support for search, rescue, civil defense, and humanitarian aid operations. Local APRS radio operation in areas without internet. Temporary installation of an iGate or Digipeater to expand coverage. Publishing shelters, bases, risks, and support points as APRS Objects. Technical monitoring of AX.25 packets and APRS-IS communication. SIMPLE AND CONFIGURABLE Enter your amateur radio callsign, Passcode, server, and transmission preferences to begin. RF, Digipeater, and iGate features are disabled by default and only work when enabled by the user. IMPORTANT REQUIREMENTS Access to APRS-IS requires an amateur radio callsign and a valid Passcode. RF operation requires a radio and a compatible audio interface. Performance depends on equipment, audio levels, VOX/PTT configuration, and channel conditions. Continuous use of GPS, audio, and background execution may increase battery consumption.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is iOS requirement: AimSat at 13.0 against APRS Tracker Digi iGate's 18.6. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly daily. The most recent releases landed on September 12, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | AimSat | APRS Tracker Digi iGate |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Daily | Daily |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 18.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 23 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ZACHARY AARON CALDWELL | Ricardo Aurelio Seco |
In-app purchases
AimSat
No in-app purchases
APRS Tracker Digi iGate
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is AimSat free?
Is APRS Tracker Digi iGate free?
Do AimSat or APRS Tracker Digi iGate have ads?
Which is updated more often, AimSat or APRS Tracker Digi iGate?
Other comparisons















