Comparison

aprs.fi vs HamGrid

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

HamGrid

Read full description

HamGrid shows your position on a map and your Maidenhead locator in large type, along with the accuracy of your fix in meters. The grid HamGrid draws the Maidenhead grid over the map and adjusts it as you zoom: fields at continent scale, grid squares for a region, subsquares for a town. One tap turns it off. Any point on the map Drag the map and a crosshair appears. The display then shows the locator and coordinates of the point under the crosshair, and its distance and bearing from your location. By default, HamGrid uses the straight-line distance from your exact position. In the About screen you can switch to the IARU contest rule, which measures from subsquare center to subsquare center, the way distance-based VHF contests are scored. Search Enter a full locator and the map goes straight there. Enter only the beginning, such as JO5, and all matching grid squares are highlighted. You can also paste coordinates or search for a town, a street or an airfield. On the air • The zero is slashed, so you never mistake O for 0 • Tap the locator or the coordinates to copy them for your log • UTC time and date next to the locator • A dark design that is easy on the eyes at night • Know your grid square for SOTA, POTA and WWFF activations, roving and VHF contests Widgets The small and medium widgets show your locator, the UTC time and a map of your location. The medium widget also shows the UTC date. Privacy No account, no analytics, no tracking. HamGrid collects no data. Maps and place search are provided by Apple Maps.

Screenshots

aprs.fi4 screens
HamGrid4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: HamGrid at Free against aprs.fi's $6.99. HamGrid also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and update cadence (every 5 days vs fortnightly). aprs.fi's advantage is chart position (#44 vs unranked) and device support (3 vs 1). On ads 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

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

UpkeepUpdate frequency

aprs.fi ships an update fortnightly, HamGrid every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
aprs.fi versus HamGrid: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameteraprs.fiHamGrid
Price$6.99Free — better
Rating4.7 (1.2K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews70.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.2K — better—
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
Best chart rank#44 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.6 — better17.5
Further details — not scored
Size28 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGainIODenny Hoh

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

HamGrid

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

HamGrid

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is aprs.fi free?
aprs.fi costs $6.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is HamGrid free?
HamGrid is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do aprs.fi or HamGrid have ads?
Neither aprs.fi nor HamGrid shows ads.
Which is updated more often, aprs.fi or HamGrid?
aprs.fi ships an update fortnightly, and HamGrid every 5 days. Most recently, aprs.fi was updated on October 26, 2026 and HamGrid on October 24, 2026.

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