Comparison

PlateDetect vs HamGenie

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

Head to head
About

PlateDetect

This app reads license plates directly on your device using your camera or imported photos. It offers features for checking plate readability from a distance, managing scan history, and setting up custom alerts for specific plates.

Highlights
  • On-device license plate reading
  • Live camera scan
  • Photo import recognition
  • Readability checks
  • History management
  • Watchlist alerts
  • Plate format configuration
Features
Read full description

PlateDetect is an on-device license plate reading app built for controlled field scans, photo imports, readability checks, local review, and watchlist alerts. Start by adding the plate formats used in your area, such as AA ## or AAA ####. PlateDetect strictly follows the formats you add. If no format is configured, detection stays off. Use Live Scan to read plates with the camera, or import a photo for the same on-device recognition workflow. The app combines plate localization, Apple Vision OCR, configurable confidence thresholds, and duplicate-save timing so History stays focused on useful reads instead of every frame. Field Check is a separate mode for measuring whether a plate is readable from a selected distance. It reports readiness using OCR confidence, plate size, framing, and plate shape without saving the check as a scan. History keeps each saved detection organized with normalized plate text, raw OCR text, detection confidence, OCR confidence, matched format, capture time, source, notes, optional GPS region, and saved media. You can choose how much surrounding image context is kept around the plate crop. Watchlist alerts help identify plates you choose to monitor locally. Standard detections use a quieter confirmation tone, while watchlist matches use a distinct higher alert repeated three times. Plate Rules let you allow or restrict plate endings by day and time window, with a Monday-Sunday overview for quick schedule review. PlateDetect is local-first. Detection runs on device, History is stored locally, Face ID app lock can protect saved records, and backend sync is optional through your own HTTPS endpoint. PlateDetect is a field aid, not a legal identity system. Confirm important reads against official records and follow the rules for your role and location. Standard EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

HamGenie

Features
Read full description

HamGenie helps amateur radio operators monitor the NCDXF/IARU International Beacon Project. See which beacon is transmitting now, what comes next, and visualise beacon locations on an interactive world map. HamGenie includes: • Live beacon schedule • Support for 20 m, 17 m, 15 m, 12 m and 10 m • Interactive world map • Operator callsign and locator settings • Distance and bearing calculations • UTC clock and countdown timer Whether you're checking propagation, testing a new antenna or simply exploring the HF bands, HamGenie keeps the worldwide beacon network at your fingertips.

Screenshots

PlateDetect4 screens
HamGenie4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: HamGenie at Free against PlateDetect's $1.00. HamGenie also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.0). On 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

HamGenie is free to download; PlateDetect costs $1.00 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
PlateDetect versus HamGenie: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPlateDetectHamGenie
Price$1.00Free — better
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 9 days—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB24 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOna Pacholo AsisTim Friesner

In-app purchases

None

PlateDetect

No in-app purchases

None

HamGenie

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PlateDetect free?
PlateDetect costs $1.00, with no in-app purchases.
Is HamGenie free?
HamGenie is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do PlateDetect or HamGenie have ads?
Neither PlateDetect nor HamGenie shows ads.

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