Comparison

A4Calc vs HAM

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

Head to head
About

A4Calc

Features
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A4 Small Format Interchangeable Core Calculator (sister app of A2Calc and A3Calc) ---Programmed by a Locksmith, for Locksmiths--- Automatically calculates the pinning chart for A4 SFIC. Built for 6 or 7 pin systems, however, less can be achieved by using a decimal to erase a chamber. Minimum of a control and master key are required to make a chart. Additional change key available for all devices; 2 change keys available for 16:9 screen devices. Randomize function will generate completely random charts each time it is triggered. "Lock/Unlock" toggle disables/enables all inputs and functions to prevent unwanted/lost changes. Control Finder is an added bonus by reverse engineering a core to determine the control key's bitting. This is perfect when needing to remove multiple cores in a building when the control key has been lost. There are two methods for achieving the control key: 1. using the master, control, and bottom pins, or 2. using only the top/driver pins. Up to 16 different projects can be saved at any one given time. All projects are encrypted and protected with a passcode when stored on your device. All projects can be exported via AirPrint and Email. Compatibility: iPhone / iPod touch on iOS 8.0 or later and iPad on iOS 12.0 or later. Found a bug? Something not working? Have a suggestion? Feel free to contact me via email: farren@phoxlocks.com

About

HAM

This utility app offers a comprehensive suite of tools for amateur radio operators, including band conditions, DX-Cluster monitoring, and a logbook. It features direct radio integration for tuning and automatic logging, along with various calculations and resource information.

Highlights
  • DX-Cluster and PSK-Reporter activity monitoring
  • Bandplan, Glossar, and AWG resource information
  • Built-in radio integration for direct tuning
  • Fully featured logbook with QSO editing
  • LOTW and QRZ.com log submission
  • Calculations for Ohm's law, VSWR, and antennas
  • CW Encoder and Decoder
Features
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The ultimate utility App for every HAM-Radio Operator HAM-Toolbox provides a variety of useful Tools to help you operating your HAM-Radio. The Tools are ranging from activity monitoring Tools like DX-Cluster and PSK-Reporter, to Tools helping you with resource information like Bandplan, Glossar, AWG and many more Tools. HAM-Toolbox also has a built-in radio integration, so that you can directly tune to spots from the DX-Cluster and other tools. During logging, the appropriate fields for the frequency and mode will be automatically filled. With a one-time purchase you gain access to all of the following Tools on your iPhone, iPad and Mac. · TOOLS: + Band Conditions + POTA + DX-Cluster + PSK-Reporter + Reverse Beacon Network + Call-Lookup + Locator + Beacons (especially NCDXF) + Repeater + DTMF Generator + CW Encoder and Decoder + Frequency List + QSL Card Designer (design, preview, print and export your own QSL cards) · LOGBOOK: HAM-Toolbox comes with a fully featured Logbook. + Inspect and edit your existing QSOs + Easy-to-use logging interface + Maintenance (Data completion from QRZ.com, Duplicates finder, Mass change) + LOTW and QRZ.com log submission + Integrated Call-Lookup with possibility to update QSO + Worked/Needed statistics for CQ-Zones, ITU-Zones and DXCCs + Map with worked grid locators representation + iCloud-Sync with multiple devices (compatible with SDR-Control and SmartSDR) · Radio-Integration: + Frequency and Mode + Logbook integration + Direct tuning from various Tools like DXCluster, POTA, Frequency List + Supports all major Brands and Radios via Network or USB + YAESU: FT-710, FT-991, FT-DX10, FT-DX100 + Icom: IC-705, IC-7300mk2, IC-7300, IC-7610, IC-7760, IC-9700, IC-R8600, + Kenwood: TS-890, TS-990 + Elecraft: K4 + HamLib · CALCULATIONS: + Ohm's law + VSWR + Dipole-Antenna + Groundplane-Antenna + HB9CV-Antenna + Helix-Antenna + dB Conversion + Wavelength · RESOURCES: + Bandplan + Glossar + Morse + AWG + CTCSS-Codes + Formulas + Q-Codes + Abbreviations + Constants Find out more here: https://ham-toolbox.com Read the Manual: https://go-to.me/hamtoolbox-manual

Screenshots

A4Calc4 screens
HAM4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: A4Calc at $4.99 against HAM's $14.99. A4Calc also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 18.6). HAM's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 8 months). 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

A4Calc costs $4.99 and HAM $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

A4Calc ships an update every 8 months, HAM monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
A4Calc versus HAM: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterA4CalcHAM
Price$4.99 — better$14.99
Rating—4.0 (7 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—69.2% of reviews
Number of ratings—7 — better
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Paid
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS12.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB83 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFarren DomeniciMarcus Roskosch

In-app purchases

None

A4Calc

No in-app purchases

None

HAM

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is A4Calc free?
A4Calc costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is HAM free?
HAM costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do A4Calc or HAM have ads?
Neither A4Calc nor HAM shows ads.
Which is updated more often, A4Calc or HAM?
A4Calc ships an update every 8 months, and HAM monthly. Most recently, A4Calc was updated on November 6, 2026 and HAM on November 7, 2026.

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