Comparison

Morse Decoder Pro vs HamAlert

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

Head to head
About

Morse Decoder Pro

This app translates Morse code audio into text. It offers automatic decoding for clear signals and manual controls for challenging audio, including adjustable frequency filters, speed settings, and noise thresholds. A built-in spectrogram aids in identifying tone frequencies.

Highlights
  • Morse code to text translation
  • Automatic and manual decoding modes
  • Adjustable audio frequency filter
  • Variable WPM speed control
  • Background noise threshold adjustment
  • Built-in spectrogram
  • Replay function for previous audio
Features
Read full description

Translate Morse Code or CW audio to text. The HotPaw Morse Code Decoder takes audio input from the microphone or headset input on your iPhone or iPad, decodes Morse Code, and displays the results in text form. It includes both automatic decoding of longer clean signals and manual controls to allow the decoding of more difficult signals in QRM. Decoding parameters that can be manually adjusted include the audio frequency of an optional narrow-band DSP filter, the WPM dot/dash speed used for detecting characters, the threshold level of background noise, and whether Farnsworth timing is to be used for detecting spaces between individual characters. The Morse Code Decoder includes a built-in spectrogram to help determine the audio frequency of the Morse Code tones. You can then use the optional narrow-band audio filter to help filter out background noise. If the audio filter is enabled (frequency lock icon locked), it can be set for frequencies in the range of 400 to 1400 Hz. The filter can also be left off in a wide-band mode (frequency lock icon unlocked). Tap the spectrogram to set the audio filter to the frequency of a selected frequency peak. On the iPhone, tap the lock button to the right of the spectrum graph to toggle the filter off and on. The Morse code WPM (words per minute) detection speed is automatically adaptive from about 8 to 40 WPM, and can be locked to the current estimated WPM dot speed (WPM lock icon locked). One the iPhone, tap the lock button to the right of the waveform graph to lock and unlock automatic WPM detection. You can also manually set the WPM code speed using the plus and minus symbols that appear in the waveform graph, or the slider control on an iPad. There is a QRQ High Speed WPM Mode which will work better for code speeds in the range of 30 to 80 WPM. (QRQ mode also supports higher frequency dot-dash tones.) Please note that it is easy to mis-aim an iPhone's microphone so that its noise cancelling microphone will cancel out any Morse Code tones. So make sure to aim your iPhone so the the tones show up in the spectrum display. Also, please use the manual settings if automatic decoding does not adjust to the frequency, WPM or background noise threshold level. By default, the threshold (the signal level above any background noise required to detect a dot or dash) is set automatically by the AGC. But you can also manually control the threshold setting. On the iPhone or iPod Touch, tap to the left of the waveform graph to switch the manual threshold slider on and off. The iPad version also includes a switch to enable manual threshold control. A Histogram of the tone signal levels with a marker for the detection threshold level are displayed next to the waveform graph. In addition to the features of the regular HotPaw Morse Code Decoder, this Pro vesion of the HotPaw Morse Code Decoder also includes a RePlay function, which pauses recording and re-decodes tha previous 1 minute of audio input using the current manual settings. This is useful if you miss some code because the settings (audio frequency, WPM, and level) were not yet set for the signal you desire to decode. This Pro version also includes support for some International alphabet characters.

About

HamAlert

Receive instant push notifications for desired amateur radio contacts. Filter alerts by various criteria like callsign, band, mode, and location. Stay updated on DX spots from multiple sources.

Highlights
  • Push notifications for desired stations
  • Filter spots by DXCC, callsign, and location
  • Support for Reverse Beacon Network, SOTAwatch, DX cluster, PSK Reporter
  • Filter by band, mode, and time
  • Filter by spotter callsign and DXCC
Features
Read full description

This app is a companion to the HamAlert web site (hamalert.org) and lets you receive push notifications from HamAlert. HamAlert is a system that allows amateur radio operators to get notifications when a desired station appears on the Reverse Beacon Network, SOTAwatch, the DX cluster or PSK Reporter. Spots can be filtered by various criteria, including: • DXCC (both actual and callsign home DXCC) • Callsign • Island reference • Summit reference • Park reference • CQ zone • Continent • Band • Mode • Time and days of week • Source • Spotter callsign and DXCC

Screenshots

Morse Decoder Pro1 screens
HamAlert1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: HamAlert at 70% against Morse Decoder Pro's 25%. HamAlert also leads on price (Free vs $9.99). Morse Decoder Pro's advantage is iOS requirement (13.4 vs 15.6). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases 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

HamAlert is free to download; Morse Decoder Pro costs $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Morse Decoder Pro ships an update every 5 months, HamAlert every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Morse Decoder Pro versus HamAlert: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMorse Decoder ProHamAlert
Price$9.99Free — better
Rating—4.2 (29 ratings) — better
Positive reviews25.0% of reviews70.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings—29 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 4 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.4 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHotPaw ProductionsManuel Kasper

Customer experience

Morse Decoder Pro

Written reviews4 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative75.0%

HamAlert

All ratings29 ratings
Positive72.4%
Neutral10.3%
Negative17.2%
Written reviews20 reviews
Positive70.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative20.0%

In-app purchases

None

Morse Decoder Pro

No in-app purchases

None

HamAlert

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Morse Decoder Pro free?
Morse Decoder Pro costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is HamAlert free?
HamAlert is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Morse Decoder Pro or HamAlert have ads?
Neither Morse Decoder Pro nor HamAlert shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Morse Decoder Pro or HamAlert?
Morse Decoder Pro ships an update every 5 months, and HamAlert every 4 months. Most recently, Morse Decoder Pro was updated on September 21, 2026 and HamAlert on September 17, 2026.

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