# Sonar vs Virtual Stream Deck

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Sonar at none against Virtual Stream Deck's 1. Sonar also leads on iOS requirement (8.2 vs 18.0). Virtual Stream Deck's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 6 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Virtual Stream Deck sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Sonar asks for nothing beyond the download.

Sonar ships an update every 6 months, Virtual Stream Deck every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Sonar | Virtual Stream Deck |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 5 MB | 11 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.2** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Konstantinos Vogiatzakis](https://appshunter.io/developer/818619540) | [Joshua Vucelich](https://appshunter.io/developer/1793452251) |

## What reviewers say

### Sonar

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sonar-emergency-button-sending-your-position-in-morse-code/id975894428)

This app sends your location via loud Morse code and ultrasonic alarms in emergencies. It can also help you find your devices by sound in everyday situations.

**Highlights:** Morse code distress signal, Ultrasonic alarm for K-9 units, Location broadcasting, Device finder by sound, Emergency alerts

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Virtual Stream Deck

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/virtual-stream-deck/id6792859416)

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Virtual Stream Deck Pro | $19.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Sonar free?

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

### Is Virtual Stream Deck free?

Virtual Stream Deck is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Sonar or Virtual Stream Deck have ads?

Neither Sonar nor Virtual Stream Deck shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Sonar or Virtual Stream Deck?

Sonar ships an update every 6 months, and Virtual Stream Deck every 2 weeks. Most recently, Sonar was updated on September 30, 2026 and Virtual Stream Deck on October 12, 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.*