Comparison

Morse Decoder Pro vs Echo

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

Echo

Tune into thousands of remote radio servers worldwide from your iPhone or iPad. Explore shortwave broadcasts, aviation communications, and more with a global interactive map and advanced tuning features. Enjoy uninterrupted background audio and a privacy-first experience.

Highlights
  • Global interactive map and search
  • Support for multiple SDR architectures
  • Scanner mode and OpenMHz archives
  • Pro-level tuning and analytics
  • Offline frequency library and logging
  • Uninterrupted background audio
  • Privacy-first design
Features
Read full description

Echo is the ultimate, natively-built iOS client for tuning into remote radio servers. Listen to anything, from anywhere. Dive into international shortwave broadcasts from Asia, monitor aviation communications over the Atlantic, discover mysterious numbers stations, or tune into distant FM stations across the globe, all from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac with Apple silicon. Featured in Radio World, on RTL-SDR.com, and in the SWLing Post. Radio World's Nick Langan praised Echo's "thoughtfully designed interface," said he has "loved using" the app, and later described Echo Pro's transcription as "very responsive." Designed for radio enthusiasts and curious listeners alike, Echo is a powerful aggregator that connects you to nearly 3,000 community-hosted Software Defined Radio (SDR) receivers and OpenMHz archives. By integrating these reliable streams into a dedicated native environment, Echo delivers true background audio, high-performance mapping, and features that are difficult to achieve in a standard web browser. KEY FEATURES Global Interactive Map & Search Visually browse thousands of remote SDR servers worldwide using our smooth, native MapKit clustering engine, or instantly search nearly 3,000+ receivers by name or location. Unmatched SDR Compatibility Seamless support for KiwiSDR, OpenWebRX, WebSDR, and FM-DX Webserver architectures. Want to listen to a private node? Add your own unlisted servers with custom URL entry. Scanner Mode & OpenMHz Automatically cycle through station lists at set intervals. Listen directly to public safety, fire, and EMS radio systems via vast OpenMHz archives. Advanced Tuning & Analytics • Smart Manual Tuner: Instantly tune by entering kHz or MHz; Echo intelligently detects the band format. • Audio Engine Passthrough: Interfaces directly with server-side signal processors for broad compatibility with waterfall rendering, plugins, and decoding extensions. • Intelligent Profile Switching: Automatically switches to the correct server band profile as you tune on supported networks. Offline Frequency Library & Logging Search an offline, built-in EIBI database of over 9,000 global shortwave and utility frequencies. Save and log your favorite stations to your local device. Uninterrupted Background Audio Keep listening when your screen is locked or while using other apps. Our custom audio bridge intercepts complex SDR streams to provide true iOS background playback and lock-screen controls. ECHO PRO Take Echo further with recording, live transcription, translation, and iCloud sync. • Record the Airwaves: Record live radio and revisit important moments anytime. • Live Transcription: Turn live radio into on-screen text as you listen. • Translation: Transcribe foreign-language broadcasts and translate them into readable English. • iCloud Sync: Sync recordings, transcripts, translations, notes, favorites, saved servers, and supported settings across your Apple devices. Echo Pro requires a monthly or annual subscription. Privacy First Zero tracking. No analytics, no proprietary tracking servers, and no ad IDs. Your listening activity is not tracked. Echo Pro syncs supported data through your private iCloud account. Built with speed, aesthetics, and privacy in mind, Echo ensures a fast, premium listening experience. Start exploring the airwaves today! VoiceOver & Accessibility Support • Every button, control, and station card announces meaningful context to VoiceOver • Scanner controls (play/pause/skip/favorite) are fully labeled and navigable • Station changes, server connections, and scanner state are announced in real-time • Reduce Transparency support: glass effects swap to solid backgrounds when enabled • Reduce Motion support: animations are simplified when enabled in iOS settings • Decorative elements hidden from assistive technology for a cleaner navigation experience Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Morse Decoder Pro1 screens
Echo4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Echo at 100% against Morse Decoder Pro's 25%. Echo also leads on price (Free vs $9.99) and update cadence (weekly vs every 5 months). Morse Decoder Pro's advantage is iOS requirement (13.4 vs 17.0). On 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

Echo 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, Echo weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Morse Decoder Pro versus Echo: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMorse Decoder ProEcho
Price$9.99Free — better
Rating—5.0 (33 ratings) — better
Positive reviews25.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings—33 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.4 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHotPaw ProductionsMark Garrison Jr.

Customer experience

Morse Decoder Pro

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

Echo

All ratings33 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews18 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Morse Decoder Pro

No in-app purchases

None

Echo

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Morse Decoder Pro free?
Morse Decoder Pro costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Echo free?
Echo is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Morse Decoder Pro or Echo have ads?
Neither Morse Decoder Pro nor Echo shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Morse Decoder Pro or Echo?
Morse Decoder Pro ships an update every 5 months, and Echo weekly. Most recently, Morse Decoder Pro was updated on September 21, 2026 and Echo on September 30, 2026.

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