You operate from a desk with a PC
Run WSJT-X or JTDX. They're the gold-standard desktop decoders, cover modes well beyond FT8, and pair with loggers like JTAlert. FT8AF isn't trying to replace them at the operating position.
There are a handful of good FT8 apps for amateur radio, and the right one depends on how you operate. Here's an honest look at how FT8AF compares to WSJT-X, JTDX and FT8CN — and when each is the better tool.
On the desktop, WSJT-X is the reference FT8 software — the decoder everything else is measured against — and JTDX is a popular fork tuned for weak-signal DXing. Both are superb, free and open source. Both also assume a PC, a sound-card interface and CAT cabling on a desk.
If you'd rather leave the laptop at home, the FT8 app lives on your phone. FT8CN first brought native FT8 to Android over a single USB cable; FT8AF is a community fork that rebuilds it with a modern Material 3 interface, FT4 and FT2 modes, a world map, POTA activation, automatic logging and 16 languages. For a portable, PC-free station, it's the most complete FT8 app for Android.
| Capability | FT8AF | FT8CN | WSJT-X | JTDX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platform | Android | Android | Win · macOS · Linux | Win · macOS · Linux |
| Runs without a PC | ✓ | ✓ | — | — |
| Connects to the rig | USB-C, in-app | USB-C, in-app | PC + CAT interface | PC + CAT interface |
| USB CAT rig models | 75+ | many | via Hamlib | via Hamlib |
| FT8 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| FT4 | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| FT2 (experimental) | ✓ | — | — | — |
| Other modes (JT65, WSPR…) | — | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Live waterfall | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| World map with QSO paths | ✓ | — | — | — |
| POTA activation mode | ✓ | — | — | — |
| Auto-logging (Cloudlog · QRZ · Wavelog) | ✓ | ~ | via add-ons | via add-ons |
| PSKReporter spotting | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| UI languages | 16 | Chinese · English | Multiple | Multiple |
| Price | Free / $3.50 | Free | Free | Free |
| Open source | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Comparison reflects typical default and built-in capabilities as of 2026. WSJT-X (by K1JT and the WSJT Development Group) is the reference FT8 implementation, and FT8AF is a respectful fork of BG7YOZ's FT8CN — credit for the core decoding heritage belongs to them. WSJT-X and JTDX cover many more modes than FT8/FT4 and pair with desktop loggers like JTAlert.
Run WSJT-X or JTDX. They're the gold-standard desktop decoders, cover modes well beyond FT8, and pair with loggers like JTAlert. FT8AF isn't trying to replace them at the operating position.
Run FT8AF. A phone, a USB-C cable and your rig is the whole setup — no laptop, no sound-card box. Ideal for POTA, SOTA, travel, or just operating from the couch.
FT8AF is FT8CN brought forward: a Material 3 dark UI, FT4 and FT2, a world map with QSO paths, POTA mode, auto-logging to Cloudlog/QRZ/Wavelog, and 16 languages instead of Chinese-only. Same single-cable simplicity.
Free and open source on GitHub, or $3.50 on Google Play for automatic updates. The same native FT8 app for Android, either way.