Comparison

aprs.fi vs APRSpot

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

Head to head
About

aprs.fi

Access real-time APRS position data, weather reports, and telemetry graphs globally. Offers route guidance, station tracking, and map filtering. Some advanced features require an in-app subscription.

Highlights
  • Real-time APRS position data
  • Route guidance and driving directions
  • Search callsigns and addresses
  • Track multiple stations
  • Filter map information
  • View weather and telemetry graphs
  • Beacon your position
Features
Read full description

An additional in-app subscription is needed for some features, so please read this application description fully before purchasing. Navigate to addresses with clear step-by-step instructions. Obtain immediate, real-time access to current APRS position information, weather reports, telemetry graphs, and more. Zoom and browse around the world and see stations immediately – no waiting. • Route guidance / driving directions • Search callsigns and addresses, with quick search-as-you-type and search history features • Track multiple stations at the same time • Filter information shown on the map (weather stations, AIS, custom filters) • View weather, telemetry and statistic graphs • Beacon your position on aprs.fi • Attach to a transceiver with a wireless connection to a BLE TNC, receive and transmit position beacons without the Internet • Runs directly on top of the reliable and fast aprs.fi database • Tested to work great on all currently-supported iPhone and iPad models • Supports iOS 14/15/16/17/18/26 • Dark Mode support for an ergonomic viewing experience in low-light environments • High-resolution graphics for Retina and Retina HD displays with full APRS symbol set Buy the app – get the web site for free! Some new features require a subscription. All old and some new features will be available without a subscription fee. These features are currently included in the Extra Features subscription package: • APRS text messaging with a modern instant messenger-like experience, supports international text and emojis • High-performance software DSP modem • APRS-IS beaconing, with up to 10 callsign profiles • Offline maps • RX iGate functionality • Long time ranges in map and graph views Note: Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life. GPS is not required for viewing APRS information. Terms of service: https://aprs.fi/page/app_terms Privacy policy: https://aprs.fi/page/app_privacy

About

APRSpot

Features
Read full description

APRSpot puts your station on the APRS map. Beacon your position to the worldwide APRS-IS network — you'll show up on aprs.fi and in every other APRS client — and watch the stations around you move in real time, right from your iPhone. FEATURES • Smart, periodic, or one-tap position beacons • Background beaconing — drive with the screen off and keep showing on the map • Live map of nearby stations with native APRS symbols • Station list sorted by distance, with speed, course and last-heard • APRS text messaging with delivery acknowledgements • Dynamic Island & Lock Screen Live Activity for your beaconing session • Activity log of raw APRS-IS traffic • Privacy controls: position ambiguity, optional course/speed and altitude • Block and report stations • Free — no ads, no account, no tracking TRY IT WITHOUT A LICENCE Tap "Try the demo" on the welcome screen to explore the whole app with simulated stations and messages — no callsign or network required. FOR LICENSED OPERATORS APRS is amateur radio. Transmitting your position requires a valid amateur-radio callsign (APRSpot does not fill in your APRS-IS passcode automatically, you will need to enter it manually in the Settings section). APRSpot uses background location to beacon your position to the APRS-IS amateur-radio network while you travel, even with the screen off. APRSpot is internet-only (APRS-IS) — no radio or TNC hardware required. 73!

Screenshots

aprs.fi4 screens
APRSpot4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: APRSpot at Free against aprs.fi's $6.99. APRSpot also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and update cadence (every 4 days vs fortnightly). aprs.fi's advantage is chart position (#15 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). On ads 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

APRSpot is free to download; aprs.fi costs $6.99 up front. aprs.fi sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. APRSpot asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

aprs.fi ships an update fortnightly, APRSpot every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
aprs.fi versus APRSpot: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameteraprs.fiAPRSpot
Price$6.99Free — better
Rating4.7 (1.2K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews70.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.2K — better—
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
Best chart rank#15 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS15.6 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size28 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGainIORazvan Zeces

Bugs and requests

aprs.fi

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Beacon not clickable
  • Freezing on settings screen
  • Incompatible with older iOS versions
  • Inconsistent behavior with VOX on radios

Requested features

6 requests
  • Offline maps support
  • Ability to change nickname without creating new account
  • Smart beaconing mode
  • Bulk message deletion
  • CarPlay support
Show 1 more
  • Automatic location detection

APRSpot

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

aprs.fi

Subscriptions3
  • Extra features, monthly$1.991 Month
  • Extra features, yearly7 Days trial$6.491 Year
  • Extra features, fair trade7 Days trial$13.491 Year
None

APRSpot

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is aprs.fi free?
aprs.fi costs $6.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is APRSpot free?
APRSpot is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do aprs.fi or APRSpot have ads?
Neither aprs.fi nor APRSpot shows ads.
Which is updated more often, aprs.fi or APRSpot?
aprs.fi ships an update fortnightly, and APRSpot every 4 days. Most recently, aprs.fi was updated on October 23, 2026 and APRSpot on October 12, 2026.

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