AppBreakup
Submit an app

SDR# (SDRSharp) alternatives: 3 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 8, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rankAll SDR software

Top picks

  • SDR++ logo

    Best overall

    SDR++

    Open source

  • Gqrx logo

    Best free option

    Gqrx

    Open source

  • SDR++ logo

    Best open source

    SDR++

    Open source

Common reasons people leave SDR# (SDRSharp): windows only, and closed source. We ranked 3 alternatives by how directly each one replaces SDR# (SDRSharp), then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. SDR++ currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingVerified priceOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1SDR++ logoSDR++Open source—YesWindows, macOS, Linux4 of 468.8
2Gqrx logoGqrxOpen source—YesLinux, macOS4 of 461.8
3HDSDR logoHDSDRFree—NoWindows5 of 542.3
  1. SDR++ logo

    1. SDR++Top pick

    Best for: SDR users who want a fast, modern receiver that runs on any desktop

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux

    68.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from SDR# (SDRSharp)

    Open source and runs on Windows, Mac and Linux, with multi-VFO built in.

    Pros

    • Light on CPU thanks to SIMD-accelerated processing
    • Multiple VFOs to follow several signals at once
    • Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux and BSD
    • Plugin system for extra sources and decoders

    Cons

    • Receive only; no transmit support
    • Fewer built-in digital-mode decoders than SDRangel
    • Documentation is mostly a PDF manual and community wiki
    Visit SDR++ Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is SDR++ a good SDR# (SDRSharp) alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 29, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, Linux, macOS, BSD
    Checked Nov 8, 2026sdrpp.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Multiple VFOs
    Yes
    Checked Nov 8, 2026sdrpp.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Hardware support
    SoapySDR and dedicated modules
    Checked Nov 8, 2026sdrpp.org(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Gqrx logo

    2. Gqrx

    Best for: Linux and Mac radio hobbyists who want a well-documented, packaged SDR receiver

    Open sourceLinux, macOS

    61.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from SDR# (SDRSharp)

    A free, open-source receiver for when you move from Windows to Linux or macOS.

    Pros

    • Packaged by most Linux distributions, Homebrew and Flathub
    • Remote control over TCP and audio streaming over UDP
    • Records both audio and raw I/Q data

    Cons

    • No official Windows build
    • Receive only, with a basic set of analogue demodulators
    • Single VFO, so only one signal at a time
    Visit Gqrx Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Gqrx a good SDR# (SDRSharp) alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 30, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Built on
    GNU Radio and Qt
    Checked Nov 8, 2026gqrx.dk(opens source in a new tab)
    Supported hardware
    Airspy, FUNcube, RTL-SDR, HackRF, USRP
    Checked Nov 8, 2026gqrx.dk(opens source in a new tab)
    Mac install
    MacPorts and Homebrew
    Checked Nov 8, 2026gqrx.dk(opens source in a new tab)
  3. HDSDR logo

    3. HDSDR

    Best for: Windows shortwave listeners and radio amateurs using ExtIO-supported SDR hardware

    FreeWindows

    42.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from SDR# (SDRSharp)

    Free Windows receiver with spectrum and waterfall for both RF and audio, plus scheduled recording.

    Pros

    • Free, with no ads or paid tier
    • Separate spectrum and waterfall views for RF and audio
    • Scheduled recording of RF, IF and audio
    • Works with many receivers through ExtIO drivers

    Cons

    • Windows only
    • Closed source
    • Hardware support depends on finding the right ExtIO DLL
    Visit HDSDR Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.312
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is HDSDR a good SDR# (SDRSharp) alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Price
    Freeware
    Checked Nov 8, 2026hdsdr.de(opens source in a new tab)
    Platform
    Windows
    Checked Nov 8, 2026hdsdr.de(opens source in a new tab)
    Demodulation modes
    AM, ECSS, FM, SSB, CW
    Checked Nov 8, 2026hdsdr.de(opens source in a new tab)
    Transmit
    Basic TX in SSB, AM, FM, CW
    Checked Nov 8, 2026hdsdr.de(opens source in a new tab)
    Latest version
    2.81a (January 2025)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026hdsdr.de(opens source in a new tab)

The best SDR# (SDRSharp) alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

SDR++ logo

Best SDR# (SDRSharp) alternative for most people

SDR++

Open source and runs on Windows, Mac and Linux, with multi-VFO built in.

Gqrx logo

Best SDR# (SDRSharp) alternative for a free option

Gqrx

A free, open-source receiver for when you move from Windows to Linux or macOS.

SDR++ logo

Best SDR# (SDRSharp) alternative for open source

SDR++

Open source and runs on Windows, Mac and Linux, with multi-VFO built in.

SDR++ logo

Best SDR# (SDRSharp) alternative for Mac

SDR++

Open source and runs on Windows, Mac and Linux, with multi-VFO built in.

HDSDR logo

Best SDR# (SDRSharp) alternative for Windows

HDSDR

Free Windows receiver with spectrum and waterfall for both RF and audio, plus scheduled recording.

SDR++ logo

Best SDR# (SDRSharp) alternative for Linux

SDR++

Open source and runs on Windows, Mac and Linux, with multi-VFO built in.

SDR# (SDRSharp) alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to SDR# (SDRSharp)?

SDR++ ranks first right now. Open source and runs on Windows, Mac and Linux, with multi-VFO built in. Gqrx and HDSDR follow it in our ranking.

SDR# (SDRSharp) vs SDR++: what's the difference?

SDR# (SDRSharp) is free to use; SDR++ is free and open source. SDR++ is open source and SDR# (SDRSharp) is not. Only SDR++ runs on macOS and Linux.

Is SDR# (SDRSharp) free?

SDR# (SDRSharp) is free to use. Price: Free. Checked on SDR# (SDRSharp)'s own site, November 2026.

Is there a free alternative to SDR# (SDRSharp)?

Yes. SDR++ (open source), Gqrx (open source) and HDSDR (free) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to SDR# (SDRSharp)?

Yes: SDR++ and Gqrx.

Which SDR# (SDRSharp) alternatives work on Linux?

SDR++ and Gqrx run on Linux.

Why do people switch from SDR# (SDRSharp)?

The complaints we hear most: windows only; closed source; best features are tuned for Airspy hardware.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces SDR# (SDRSharp), reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.