Comparison

aprs.fi vs APRSSwift

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
Currently charting
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

APRSSwift

Track and message on the APRS network with your amateur radio callsign. View nearby stations on a live map, exchange text messages, and decode various packet types. Supports multiple connection methods and includes an Apple Watch app.

Highlights
  • Live APRS map with station tracking
  • Two-way APRS messaging
  • Full packet decoding
  • Multiple connection methods
  • Apple Watch app integration
  • SmartBeaconing for adaptive beaconing
Features
Read full description

APRSSwift brings the Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) to your Apple devices — a native, universal amateur-radio app for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. Report your position to the APRS network, watch nearby stations move on a live map, read a real-time packet log, and exchange APRS text messages — all with your own callsign. FEATURES • Live map with APRS symbols, station tracks, and your own location • Connect via APRS-IS (Internet), a TCP KISS TNC, a Bluetooth TNC (Mobilinkd), or the built-in AFSK sound modem (1200 baud — no extra hardware) • Full packet decoding: position, Mic-E, compressed, objects, items, status, weather, messages, and telemetry • SmartBeaconing — adaptive beacon rate based on speed and turns • Two-way APRS messaging with acknowledgements • Station list with distance, favorites, and proximity alerts • Maidenhead grid locator, metric or imperial units, and dead reckoning • Post APRS objects, send status reports, and view weather & telemetry charts • Apple Watch app: beacon, grid, and nearby stations on your wrist APRSSwift is designed for licensed amateur radio operators. A valid callsign is required; your APRS-IS passcode is generated automatically from it. 73!

Screenshots

aprs.fi4 screens
APRSSwift3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: APRSSwift at Free against aprs.fi's $6.99. APRSSwift also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and review sentiment (100% vs 70%). aprs.fi's advantage is ratings volume (1.1K vs 2) and chart position (#12 vs unranked). 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

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

APRSSwift holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: aprs.fi has 1.1K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 70% of aprs.fi's written reviews are positive against 100% of APRSSwift's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

aprs.fi ships an update fortnightly, APRSSwift every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 2 level
aprs.fi versus APRSSwift: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameteraprs.fiAPRSSwift
Price$6.99Free — better
Rating4.7 (1.1K ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews70.4% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.1K — better2
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#12 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS15.6 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size28 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGainIOSevket Bugra CANATA

Customer experience

aprs.fi

All ratings1,133 ratings
Positive92.9%
Neutral2.2%
Negative4.9%
Written reviews223 reviews
Positive70.4%
Neutral11.2%
Negative18.4%

APRSSwift

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

APRSSwift

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

APRSSwift

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is aprs.fi free?
aprs.fi costs $6.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is APRSSwift free?
APRSSwift is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, aprs.fi or APRSSwift?
APRSSwift is rated higher. aprs.fi averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.1K ratings, while APRSSwift averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do aprs.fi or APRSSwift have ads?
Neither aprs.fi nor APRSSwift shows ads.
Which is updated more often, aprs.fi or APRSSwift?
aprs.fi ships an update fortnightly, and APRSSwift every 4 days. Most recently, aprs.fi was updated on September 28, 2026 and APRSSwift on September 22, 2026.

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