Comparison

APRSpot vs APRSSwift

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

Head to head
About

APRSpot

Broadcast your location to the global APRS network and see nearby stations in real-time. Features include smart beaconing, live map, and APRS text messaging. Offers privacy controls and a demo mode for exploration.

Highlights
  • Position beaconing (smart, periodic, one-tap)
  • Background beaconing
  • Live map of nearby stations
  • APRS text messaging
  • Dynamic Island & Lock Screen Live Activity
  • Privacy controls
  • Demo mode
Features
Read full description

APRSpot puts your station on the APRS map. Beacon your position to the worldwide APRS-IS network — you'll show up on aprs.fi and in every other APRS client — and watch the stations around you move in real time, right from your iPhone. FEATURES • Smart, periodic, or one-tap position beacons • Background beaconing — drive with the screen off and keep showing on the map • Live map of nearby stations with native APRS symbols • Station list sorted by distance, with speed, course and last-heard • APRS text messaging with delivery acknowledgements • Dynamic Island & Lock Screen Live Activity for your beaconing session • Activity log of raw APRS-IS traffic • Privacy controls: position ambiguity, optional course/speed and altitude • Block and report stations • Free — no ads, no account, no tracking TRY IT WITHOUT A LICENCE Tap "Try the demo" on the welcome screen to explore the whole app with simulated stations and messages — no callsign or network required. FOR LICENSED OPERATORS APRS is amateur radio. Transmitting your position requires a valid amateur-radio callsign (APRSpot does not fill in your APRS-IS passcode automatically, you will need to enter it manually in the Settings section). APRSpot uses background location to beacon your position to the APRS-IS amateur-radio network while you travel, even with the screen off. APRSpot is internet-only (APRS-IS) — no radio or TNC hardware required. 73!

About

APRSSwift

Track and message on the APRS network with your amateur radio callsign. View nearby stations on a live map, exchange text messages, and decode various packet types. Supports multiple connection methods and includes an Apple Watch app.

Highlights
  • Live APRS map with station tracking
  • Two-way APRS messaging
  • Full packet decoding
  • Multiple connection methods
  • Apple Watch app integration
  • SmartBeaconing for adaptive beaconing
Features
Read full description

APRSSwift brings the Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) to your Apple devices — a native, universal amateur-radio app for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. Report your position to the APRS network, watch nearby stations move on a live map, read a real-time packet log, and exchange APRS text messages — all with your own callsign. FEATURES • Live map with APRS symbols, station tracks, and your own location • Connect via APRS-IS (Internet), a TCP KISS TNC, a Bluetooth TNC (Mobilinkd), or the built-in AFSK sound modem (1200 baud — no extra hardware) • Full packet decoding: position, Mic-E, compressed, objects, items, status, weather, messages, and telemetry • SmartBeaconing — adaptive beacon rate based on speed and turns • Two-way APRS messaging with acknowledgements • Station list with distance, favorites, and proximity alerts • Maidenhead grid locator, metric or imperial units, and dead reckoning • Post APRS objects, send status reports, and view weather & telemetry charts • Apple Watch app: beacon, grid, and nearby stations on your wrist APRSSwift is designed for licensed amateur radio operators. A valid callsign is required; your APRS-IS passcode is generated automatically from it. 73!

Screenshots

APRSpot4 screens
APRSSwift3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: APRSpot at none against APRSSwift's 3. On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence 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

Both are free to download. APRSSwift sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. APRSpot asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for APRSpot against 5.0 for APRSSwift. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 2 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

APRSpot ships an update every 4 days, APRSSwift every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
APRSpot versus APRSSwift: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAPRSpotAPRSSwift
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (5 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings5 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 4 days — betterEvery 5 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRazvan ZecesSevket Bugra CANATA

In-app purchases

None

APRSpot

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

APRSSwift

One-time3
  • Small Support$0.99
  • Medium Support$9.99
  • Large Support$99.99

Questions

Is APRSpot free?
APRSpot is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is APRSSwift free?
APRSSwift is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, APRSpot or APRSSwift?
APRSpot and APRSSwift are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 5 and 2 ratings respectively.
Do APRSpot or APRSSwift have ads?
Neither APRSpot nor APRSSwift shows ads.
Which is updated more often, APRSpot or APRSSwift?
APRSpot ships an update every 4 days, and APRSSwift every 5 days. Most recently, APRSpot was updated on November 5, 2026 and APRSSwift on October 31, 2026.

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