Comparison

Handi vs Beacon 73

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

Head to head
About

Handi

This app serves as a central hub for amateur radio operators, enabling them to connect their transceivers to mobile devices. It facilitates radio programming, messaging, mapping, and packet-radio communications.

Highlights
  • Radio channel management
  • APRS messaging
  • Winlink email
  • Packet terminal
  • Interactive map
  • File exchange
Features
Read full description

HTCommander is a comprehensive companion for amateur radio operators using EchoLink or supported Bluetooth-enabled transceivers. Connect your radio to your iPhone or iPad and manage programming, messaging, mapping, and packet-radio communications from one application. KEY FEATURES - Configure, organize, import, and export radio channels - Send and receive APRS messages - Inspect packet details and select APRS routing paths - Request weather reports and use supported APRS services - Display APRS stations and position reports on an interactive map - Compose, send, and receive Winlink email with attachments - Communicate through the packet terminal - Operate a built-in bulletin board system - Capture and decode received packets - Manage APRS, Winlink, and terminal contacts - Use supported radio GPS information - Exchange files over compatible packet-radio links SUPPORTED RADIOS HTCommander supports selected models from BTECH, Radioddity, Vero, and Radtel, including the UV-Pro, UV-50Pro, GA-5WB, DB50-B Mini, VR-N75, VR-N76, VR-N7500, VR-N7600, and RT-660. An amateur radio license is required to transmit. Operators are responsible for following local regulations, band plans, and licensing requirements.

About

Beacon 73

Read full description

Beacon 73 makes sending your APRS position simple. Just open the app and start. SIMPLE BEACONING • Start or stop auto-beaconing from a clear, focused dashboard • Send your position immediately whenever you choose • See when your last beacon was sent and when the next one is due SMART TIMING Choose manual, timed, or movement-aware Smart beaconing. Beacon 73 can adapt beacon timing to your speed and direction. MAP AND TRACK • See nearby APRS station callsigns, icons, and status • View your current position and recent location track • Use a map to see other stations in real-time TRY IT SAFELY Demo Mode uses simulated data, does not request your location, and cannot transmit. Explore the app before entering your callsign. Beacon 73 connects to APRS-IS. Live operation requires a valid amateur radio callsign and APRS-IS passcode. Beacon 73 is not an emergency or safety service.

Screenshots

Handi4 screens
Beacon 734 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is device support: Handi at 4 against Beacon 73's 2. Handi also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). 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

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

Handi ships an update every 2 days, Beacon 73 every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Handi versus Beacon 73: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHandiBeacon 73
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (5 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings5 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 3 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size62 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperYlian Saint-HilaireDAVID BRET SANDERS

In-app purchases

None

Handi

No in-app purchases

None

Beacon 73

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Handi free?
Handi is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Beacon 73 free?
Beacon 73 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Handi or Beacon 73 have ads?
Neither Handi nor Beacon 73 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Handi or Beacon 73?
Handi ships an update every 2 days, and Beacon 73 every 3 days. Most recently, Handi was updated on October 24, 2026 and Beacon 73 on October 12, 2026.

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