# Shortwave Messaging vs Bluetalk

The clearest difference is price: Shortwave Messaging at Free against Bluetalk's $2.99. Shortwave Messaging also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 4 months) and iOS requirement (7.0 vs 17.0). Bluetalk's advantage is chart position (#124 vs unranked) and review sentiment (50% vs 42%). On rating, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Shortwave Messaging is free to download; Bluetalk costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 3.0 for Shortwave Messaging against 3.0 for Bluetalk. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 2 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 42% of Shortwave Messaging's written reviews are positive against 50% of Bluetalk's.

Shortwave Messaging ships an update fortnightly, Bluetalk every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Shortwave Messaging | Bluetalk |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $2.99 |
| Rating | [3.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shortwave-messaging/id864480884/reviews) | [3.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bluetalk-bluetooth-messenger/id1629755566/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **2** |
| Positive reviews | 41.7% of reviews | **50.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#124** |
| Size | 9 MB | 10 MB |
| Requires iOS | **7.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Cornfield Creative, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/864480887) | [FiveSheep OU](https://appshunter.io/developer/1725654318) |

## What reviewers say

### Shortwave Messaging

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shortwave-messaging/id864480884)

Connect with people nearby through public messages within a 70-foot radius. This social networking app utilizes location services and Bluetooth to facilitate local communication.

**Highlights:** Public messaging, 70-foot communication radius, Location-based, Bluetooth integration

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Bluetalk

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bluetalk-bluetooth-messenger/id1629755566)

**Currently charting:** #124 Top Paid · Social Networking (US App Store)

Communicate with nearby users directly via Bluetooth, eliminating the need for an internet connection. Share messages and photos, and receive notifications from people in your vicinity, ideal for situations with limited or no Wi-Fi.

**Highlights:** Bluetooth messaging, Offline communication, Photo sharing, Nearby notifications, No internet required

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Shortwave Messaging free?

Shortwave Messaging is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Bluetalk free?

Bluetalk costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Shortwave Messaging or Bluetalk?

Shortwave Messaging and Bluetalk are both rated 3.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 2 ratings respectively.

### Do Shortwave Messaging or Bluetalk have ads?

Neither Shortwave Messaging nor Bluetalk shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Shortwave Messaging or Bluetalk?

Shortwave Messaging ships an update fortnightly, and Bluetalk every 4 months. Most recently, Shortwave Messaging was updated on October 13, 2026 and Bluetalk on October 30, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*