aprs.fi vs APRSSwift
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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
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.
- Live APRS map with station tracking
- Two-way APRS messaging
- Full packet decoding
- Multiple connection methods
- Apple Watch app integration
- SmartBeaconing for adaptive beaconing
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
aprs.fi ships an update fortnightly, APRSSwift every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | aprs.fi | APRSSwift |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $6.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.7 (1.1K ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 70.4% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 1.1K — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | #12 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — better |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 28 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | GainIO | Sevket Bugra CANATA |
Customer experience
aprs.fi
APRSSwift
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
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- Automatic location detection
APRSSwift
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
aprs.fi
- Extra features, monthly$1.991 Month
- Extra features, yearly7 Days trial$6.491 Year
- Extra features, fair trade7 Days trial$13.491 Year
APRSSwift
No in-app purchases








