# EXPLORER Connect vs Hughes BGAN

The clearest difference is update cadence: Hughes BGAN at every 3 weeks against EXPLORER Connect's every 10 months. Hughes BGAN also leads on iOS requirement (12.4 vs 16.0). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for EXPLORER Connect against 5.0 for Hughes BGAN. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 2 respectively.

EXPLORER Connect ships an update every 10 months, Hughes BGAN every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | EXPLORER Connect | Hughes BGAN |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/explorer-connect/id983965032/reviews) | [5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hughes-bgan/id1473859384/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 10 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 26 MB | 3 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **12.4** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Thrane & Thrane AS](https://appshunter.io/developer/983965031) | [Hughes Network Systems, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/373190684) |

## What reviewers say

### EXPLORER Connect

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/explorer-connect/id983965032)

Manage and operate EXPLORER BGAN terminals with ease. This application allows you to monitor terminal status, configure settings, and even use your smartphone as a satellite phone for making and receiving calls.

**Highlights:** Satellite phone capability, Terminal status dashboard, Configuration settings, Terminal pointing assistance, SIP phone settings

**In-app purchases:** none


### Hughes BGAN

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hughes-bgan/id1473859384)

Manage your WiFi-enabled satellite terminals with ease. View status information, access the terminal's user interface, and find links to communication apps. Easily change IP addresses for terminal access.

**Highlights:** Manage WiFi enabled terminals, Display status information, Quick link to terminal UI, Links to VOIP and messaging apps, Change terminal IP address

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is EXPLORER Connect free?

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

### Is Hughes BGAN free?

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

### Which has better reviews, EXPLORER Connect or Hughes BGAN?

EXPLORER Connect and Hughes BGAN are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 2 ratings respectively.

### Do EXPLORER Connect or Hughes BGAN have ads?

Neither EXPLORER Connect nor Hughes BGAN shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, EXPLORER Connect or Hughes BGAN?

EXPLORER Connect ships an update every 10 months, and Hughes BGAN every 3 weeks. Most recently, EXPLORER Connect was updated on October 1, 2026 and Hughes BGAN on October 24, 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.*