Map vs RST Decoder
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Map
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Map-n-Compass is a specialized app designed for those interested in Orienteering and Amateur Radio Direction Finding navigation sports. The app is designed specifically for individuals and groups interested in learning and practicing these outdoor navigation sports. If these navigation sports are not your passion, then this app may not be for you. PLEASE NOTE: Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life. This app is about getting outside, designing courses, and navigation: Map-n-Compass is designed to help beginners develop the skills needed for Orienteering and Amateur Radio Direction Finding navigation sports. The beginner skill level lets newcomers learn without frustration. Intermediate and advanced skill levels provided progressively more challenge. For event organizers the app provides support for designing and distributing courses and holding informal practice sessions with minimal cost and effort. Please contact Digital Confections to provide suggestions for enhancing the app! FEATURES Groups with multiple iOS devices running the app can hold informal practice sessions with minimal cost and effort. The map, the compass, courses, controls, and results recording are all supported within the app. Assorted "streamed" street maps are available within the app, or custom maps can be downloaded and displayed within the app, and a small sample map is provided for illustration. o Help is available within the app - just swipe up on any available overlay or button to access specific help. o Universal - the app is fully functional on iPhones and iPads with GPS. o The app works even on "deactivated" devices lacking cellular network coverage. (Streamed maps and email will not be available without network coverage.) o GPS data is digitally filtered to enhance position accuracy. o Results files contain track, overall results and splits. o Course and Results file sharing by email or iTunes file sharing. o KML-format course and results files are compatible with free mapping software available from popular vendors. o Custom map tile databases that you create and install are supported. o Digital compass data provides directional information. o Tiered support for beginner, intermediate and advanced skill levels. o Multiple options for automatically rotating the map. o Built-in timers: Time of day clock, Elapsed time, Overtime countdown with alarm. o Text data can be overlaid atop the map: Distance, step count, GPS, and much more. o Speed and distance unit selection, time format, lat/lon format changes are applied instantly with a single swipe. o Leg lengths and GPS locations of control points can be displayed for courses you create or download. o Courses can be created on a PC or Mac running freely-available satellite photo software, then exported and downloaded to the app by email or iTunes file sharing. o Courses can be created within the app and then shared by email with others using the app, or tweaked on a PC or Mac. o Results files can be displayed and "animated" in free Earth satellite-view software to "relive" the experience - and combined with the results of others to see locations over time. ORIENTEERING o Beginners can see their location on the map, and receive distance and direction hints o Intermediate level users get fewer hints. o Advanced level users get no help from the app aside from a convenient paperless map, map rotation support and course display. ARDF o Bearings are recorded in "point and shoot" fashion, and are color coded to their intended target. o From one up to five separate "foxes" can be hunted and tracked. o Transmitter signals are simulated to provide a remarkably realistic simulated transmitter hunt experience. o Can be used for bearing recording to live transmitters. o The app calculates and displays the likely target locations based on bearings taken. o Results files include bearings and target calculations.
RST Decoder
This application decodes Morse code from your microphone, acting as a practice tool to verify your keying accuracy. It offers advanced features like BPF and FFT decoders with automatic frequency and gain control, allowing for fine-tuning of reception parameters.
- Microphone Morse code decoding
- Morse practice and keying check
- BPF and FFT decoder options
- Auto Frequency Detector (AFD)
- Auto Gain Control (AGC)
- Real-time CW signal display
- Input signal recording/playback
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This is an App that decodes Morse code input from the microphone. It is a Morse practice App that you can use to check if you are keying the correct code. Signals with good S/N can be decoded correctly, but signals with bad S/N cannot be decoded correctly. Also, the performance will be degraded for extremely slow or fast signals. Usually about 5 to 10 characters are required for speed synchronization of Morse Code. Adjust the input signal so that the peak value changes from level 6 to level 7. Make fine adjustments to each parameter according to the reception status. [Additional Functions] -In addition to the decoder using BPF, a new decoder using FFT has been added so that it can be switched according to the usage. -AFD (Auto Frequency Detector) function has been added to the decoder using BPF, and BPF can be set automatically by pressing the AFD button. -The decoder using FFT automatically follows the strongest signal in the band by AFD (Auto Frequency Detector) and AGC (Auto Gain Control). You can also hold the AFD / AGC parameters by pressing the Lock button. * There will be a time lag of about 1 to 2 seconds for AFD tracking. [Control parameters] 1. Audio Input Level 2.BPF ON/OFF 3.BPF of Center Frequency 4.BPF of Band Width 5.CW Speed Control ON/OFF 6.CW Speed Control Low, Mid1, Mid2 or High 7.Delete All Decoded Text 8.Realtime CW Signal Display 9.Input signal recording / playback function *Japanese/KANA text is not supported. [Note] Since the signal after BPF is output to the audio output, it can also be used as an AF-CW filter. [URL of this App working example video] https://youtu.be/Pwp7W4m-m34
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: Map at none against RST Decoder's shown. Map also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Map | RST Decoder |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 5.0 (7 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 66.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 7 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | — | Ad-supported |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 8.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 127 MB | 6 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Digital Confections LLC | koji kamogawa |
In-app purchases
Map
No in-app purchases
RST Decoder
No in-app purchases









