Comparison

Wifi Rig CTRL vs HF Planner

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

Head to head
About

Wifi Rig CTRL

Features
Read full description

WifiRigCTRL is an iPhone / iPad app for remotely operating your amateur-radio transceiver via a Raspberry Pi or ICOM CI-V (Wi-Fi / Bluetooth). Features: - Real-time RX frequency, mode and S-meter display - Change frequency, mode, power, squelch and filter width - RX audio playback through the speaker (with noise reduction) - PTT on/off and microphone transmit - CW Morse send and receive-decode (BLE / USB-NCM keyers) - RTTY AFSK transmit/receive (on-device software modem or via the Raspberry Pi's minimodem, with spectrum display) - FT8 / FT4 receive-decode and transmit - Automatic FT8 all-decode log to ~/ALL.TXT (WSJT-X compatible) - Band Scope (CAT single-sweep / native ICOM CI-V scope, with POTA/SOTA spots overlaid) - APRS beacon transmit (GPS) - QSO log (ADIF export, POTA/SOTA references) - Operating-location (JCC/JGC, grid) registration and operating sessions - eQSL auto-upload, Smart Ham Log integration, PSKReporter spotting - Band memory, POTA/SOTA spot integration (SP2ALART) - Multiple profiles, API-key auth, WireGuard VPN - Direct Wi-Fi / Bluetooth CI-V to Icom IC-705 / IC-9700 - One-tap Raspberry Pi SSH setup â–  Requirements (Important) This app does not work on its own. You need one of the following, owned by you: A Raspberry Pi Zero 2W that is already set up (connected to your radio, with Hamlib/FastAPI installed), or An IC-705 or IC-9700 (for a direct CI-V connection) Connect either one to the same Wi-Fi network as your iPhone. Setup instructions and firmware for the Raspberry Pi are available on GitHub: https://github.com/ji1ore/M5CoreHamCAT â–  Intended Users This app is for licensed amateur radio operators who have a compatible radio setup. *This app contains no ads and no usage tracking. All data it collects is used only on your device and is never sent to an external server.

About

HF Planner

Features
Read full description

Know which band will open before you key the mic. HF Planner turns solar and ionospheric conditions into a clear 15-minute frequency plan for any path on Earth. Enter your station location and your target location, pick a date and a time window, and the app builds a frequency matrix showing the recommended band for every 15-minute slot. Schedule a sked, a net or a DXpedition window with a plan instead of guesswork. PLAN ANY PATH • Point-to-point planning between any two locations worldwide • 15-minute resolution across the full 24-hour cycle • Recommended operating frequency with MUF and LUF guidance per slot • Day, night and grey-line transitions handled automatically REAL CONDITIONS, NOT GUESSWORK • Solar cycle inputs including solar flux, sunspot number and A/K indices • Predicted and current space weather brought into every plan • Regional propagation outlook for the exact path you selected • See at a glance which bands are open, marginal or closed SEE THE RF PICTURE • Descriptive RF pattern and propagation charts • Signal behaviour plotted across time and frequency • Colour-coded matrix that stays readable in the shack or in the field TAKE THE PLAN WITH YOU • Export a PDF report of the frequency matrix for any selected duration • Share plans with your net, club, contest team or field party • Use it as a pre-flight checklist before every operating session BUILT FOR OPERATORS • Amateur radio operators working local nets or long-path DX • Emergency and disaster communications teams • Contest and DXpedition planning • Shortwave listeners chasing distant stations • Clubs and training officers teaching propagation HF PLANNER PRO Upgrade to Pro Monthly (pro_monthly) or Pro Yearly (pro_yearly) to unlock unlimited PDF reports, extended planning windows, full-resolution RF pattern charts, saved station profiles and priority propagation data updates. Subscriptions renew automatically and can be managed or cancelled in your account settings at any time. Stop calling CQ into a dead band. Download HF Planner, pick your path, and plan your next contact. 73! Privacy Policy: https://devvratkalia.github.io/hf-planner-ham-radio-guide/privacy.html Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Wifi Rig CTRL4 screens
HF Planner4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Wifi Rig CTRL at none against HF Planner's 2. Wifi Rig CTRL also leads on ads (none vs shown). HF Planner's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price and device support 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. HF Planner sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Wifi Rig CTRL asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard3 real differences · 3 level
Wifi Rig CTRL versus HF Planner: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWifi Rig CTRLHF Planner
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 2 days—
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB40 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJIRO UENODevvrat Kalia

In-app purchases

None

Wifi Rig CTRL

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

HF Planner

Subscriptions2
  • HF Planner Pro Monthly$2.991 Month
  • HF Planner Pro Yearly$19.991 Year

Questions

Is Wifi Rig CTRL free?
Wifi Rig CTRL is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is HF Planner free?
HF Planner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Wifi Rig CTRL or HF Planner have ads?
HF Planner shows ads; Wifi Rig CTRL does not.

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