Comparison

HamThings PTT vs VibeSDR Jr

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

Head to head
About

HamThings PTT

Connect your ham radio to your iPhone for internet-based communication on DMR digital networks and analog SvxLink reflectors. Supports multiple networks and offers real-time push-to-talk, DMR features, and last heard information. Requires a valid amateur radio license.

Highlights
  • Real-time push-to-talk over IP
  • DMR digital network support
  • SvxLink analog reflector connectivity
  • Multi-network compatibility
  • Real-time Last Heard display
  • DMR text messaging
  • Background wake-up for calls
Features
Read full description

HamThings PTT brings your ham radio to your iPhone. Connect over the Internet and talk on DMR digital networks and analog SvxLink reflectors, wherever you are. For licensed radio amateurs. Multi-network: HamThings, BrandMeister and other IP servers, plus SvxLink reflectors. Features: Real-time push-to-talk over IP DMR: dual slot (TS1/TS2), group and private calls SvxLink: analog reflectors, always free Real-time Last Heard DMR text messaging Local or remote audio (transcoder) — your choice Background wake-up so you never miss a call Clean, fast interface The SvxLink (analog) protocol is always free. DMR features require a subscription; a free trial starts automatically the first time you open the app, so you can try everything. HamThings PTT is an independent project, made by hams for hams. A valid amateur radio license is required to transmit. Subscription details: HamThings PTT is an annual auto-renewing subscription. Payment will be charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. The subscription renews automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel it at any time in your Apple Account settings. Privacy policy: https://hamthings.it/privacy.html

About

VibeSDR Jr

Features
Read full description

VibeSDR Jr is a complete software-defined radio receiver that runs on your Apple Watch. Not a remote control for a phone in your pocket — the watch makes its own connection, does its own decoding and plays its own audio. Leave the handset at home. Turn the Digital Crown to tune. The spectrum and waterfall run live on the wrist, in colour, at a frame rate you can actually read a band with. Press and hold for the menu, and everything else is a tap away. WHAT IT RECEIVES Jr is a client, so it needs a receiver to listen to — either one of your own on your network, or one of the thousands of public ones already out there. It speaks VibeServer, OpenWebRX, KiwiSDR and FM-DX Webserver, and it ships with a directory of public servers, so there is something to listen to within seconds of installing. VibeServer is your own receiver. It is built into the VibeSDR phone app and available free for macOS — plug in an RTL-SDR, an Airspy HF+ or an SDRplay RSP and it is yours. MODES AND DECODERS USB, LSB, AM, SAM, FM, NFM and wide FM in stereo, plus CW upper and lower. DAB, and an ADS-B view that plots the aircraft talking overhead. ON THE WRIST Bookmarks, synced with the VibeSDR phone app through iCloud. A band plan, so you know what you are looking at. Bandwidth, squelch, gain and the receiver's own hardware controls — including the LNA, IF gain and notches an SDRplay RSP actually has, rather than a dongle's single slider pretending to be them. Background audio, so it keeps playing when you drop your wrist. And a link meter that tells you the truth about the connection. VibeSDR Jr is open source under the GPLv3. The engine underneath it, VibeDSP, is our own — the same one that runs the phone app, so a waterfall you set up in one turns up looking the same on the other. Requires a Wi-Fi or cellular connection, and a receiver to connect to.

Screenshots

HamThings PTT4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: HamThings PTT at Free against VibeSDR Jr's $0.99. HamThings PTT also leads on iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). VibeSDR Jr's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On update cadence, ads 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

HamThings PTT is free to download; VibeSDR Jr costs $0.99 up front. HamThings PTT sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $8.99 per year. VibeSDR Jr asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HamThings PTT ships an update every 4 days, VibeSDR Jr every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
HamThings PTT versus VibeSDR Jr: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHamThings PTTVibeSDR Jr
PriceFree — better$0.99
Rating3.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 daysEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS16.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGiacomo De AngelisStuart Carr

In-app purchases

1 purchases

HamThings PTT

Subscriptions1
  • HamThings PTT (yearly)$8.991 Year
None

VibeSDR Jr

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is HamThings PTT free?
HamThings PTT is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is VibeSDR Jr free?
VibeSDR Jr costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do HamThings PTT or VibeSDR Jr have ads?
Neither HamThings PTT nor VibeSDR Jr shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HamThings PTT or VibeSDR Jr?
HamThings PTT ships an update every 4 days, and VibeSDR Jr every 3 days. Most recently, HamThings PTT was updated on October 24, 2026 and VibeSDR Jr on October 25, 2026.

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