Comparison

Symbolic Method vs SDR

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

Head to head
About

Symbolic Method

Features
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'Symbolic Method' forms part of the 'Symbolic Close-Up Trilogy' that dedicates to symbolic notation in Close-Up magic. The volumes, all available on the App Store, are: Vol. 1 - Symbolic Method Vol. 2 - Symbolic Matrix Vol. 3 - Symbolic Cups and Balls These apps blend into the most comprehensive set of technical learning tools for Close-Up magicians, with solutions for mental techniques and notation systems. ‘Symbolic Method’ serves to document, draft and study ideas and variations on card tricks. It addresses all Close-Up card magicians. The app is inspired by Juan Tamariz's 'método simbólico', developed in 1978, and his visions on a notation system for card tricks, introduced in his publications ‘El Método Simbólico’ I and II, and the ‘New mini simbólico’. Consider any card trick routine as a sequence of position checks and actions along with dramaturgic and grammatical elements. Pin those down in a most concise way by means of intuitive icons and symbols. Then let them guide you, view by view, to study, analyse, recall, and practice card tricks systematically. ‘Symbolic Method' gives you a holistic view on the routines, enables you to x-ray the method, and serves to go over your related material from books, lecture notes, brainstorming sessions, and videos. It opens up new perspectives, and is to the a card trick what musical notes are to a song. It works on all iOS devices, with the best product experience on iPads. Additional information: - License agreement - https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ - Privacy policy - https://yeahgic.com/pge_PrivacySymbols.htm

About

SDR

Control your Icom radio remotely from your iPad, either at home via Wi-Fi or from anywhere over the internet. Features include spectrum scope, waterfall display, and full radio controls. Supports various Icom models and offers modes like FT8, JS8, and speech transcription.

Highlights
  • Remote radio control over Wi-Fi or internet
  • Spectrum scope and waterfall display
  • Full radio control interface
  • FT8, JS8, CW, and speech modes
  • Integrated logbook with iCloud sync
  • DX Cluster and band plan integration
Features
Read full description

Your Icom radio on your iPad: at home over Wi-Fi or from anywhere over the internet. Made by a ham, for hams, with personal support included. SDR-Control shows the spectrum scope and waterfall of your Icom radio with all its controls on the large iPad screen. No extra hardware or software needed. WORKS WITH ■ IC-705 (Wi-Fi) ■ IC-7610, IC-7760, IC-9700, IC-7300 MK2 and the IC-R8600 receiver (radio on your network by cable) The app connects over the network only. The older IC-7300 (without MK2) has no network connection and can't be used. OPERATE ■ Spectrum scope and waterfall with band plan, DX Cluster and FT8 spots ■ Two VFOs, filters, preamp, attenuator, NB, NR, notch, AGC and more ■ Compact floating panels: tuning, PTT, CW, memories, macros, Command Bar, DTMF, RIT / ∆TX, D-Star ■ Your iPad as microphone and speaker; the radio keeps playing in the background, also with the cover closed MODES ■ FT8-Improved with AutoAnswer and AutoCQ, plus the classic FT8 ■ JS8 keyboard chat ■ CW with decoder, keyer and CW keyboard ■ Speech: incoming voice transcribed and translated, your typed text sent as speech ■ SSTV, HF-Fax, APRS and WSPR FT8-Improved, JS8, Speech and WSPR need iPadOS 26. TOOLS ■ Logbook with ADIF import and export, shared via iCloud with SmartSDR, FT-Control, TS-Control and K4-Control, on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Vision Pro ■ DX Cluster, POTA, PSK Reporter, Call Lookup, Band Plan, Network Stats, Memories, Scanning, S.A.T. ■ Controllers: MIDI, CTR2, HaliKey, Pryme, Flic ■ 4O3A Genius devices and Ultra Beam antennas MADE BY A HAM Made by Marcus, DL8MRE, who has been developing apps for Apple devices since 2009 and uses this app every day in his own shack, where all supported radios are on the desk. Personal online support and a detailed manual are included. Updates with new modes and features are free: no subscription, no in-app purchases. WHAT YOU NEED ■ One of the radios above, connected to your network ■ An iPad with iPadOS 18 or later ■ For use over the internet: access to your home network from outside (see the manual) Manual: https://go-to.me/sdrcontrol-ios-manual More apps: https://ham-radio-apps.com SDR-Control is developed independently and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Icom.

Screenshots

Symbolic Method4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Symbolic Method at Free against SDR's $49.99. 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

Symbolic Method is free to download; SDR costs $49.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Symbolic Method ships an update monthly, SDR fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Symbolic Method versus SDR: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSymbolic MethodSDR
PriceFree — better$49.99
Rating—4.4 (88 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—77.4% of reviews
Number of ratings—88 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Paid
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPad
Requires iOS16.6 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB56 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRalph CosMarcus Roskosch

In-app purchases

None

Symbolic Method

No in-app purchases

None

SDR

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Symbolic Method free?
Symbolic Method is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SDR free?
SDR costs $49.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Symbolic Method or SDR have ads?
Neither Symbolic Method nor SDR shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Symbolic Method or SDR?
Symbolic Method ships an update monthly, and SDR fortnightly. Most recently, Symbolic Method was updated on November 6, 2026 and SDR on November 14, 2026.

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