welle.io
Open-source DAB and DAB+ digital radio receiver for cheap SDR dongles.
Updated · AppBreakup editorial · Windows, Linux
Is welle.io free?
Yes, free and open source
Switch from welle.io to
All 3
SDR++Open source
GqrxOpen source
SDR# (SDRSharp)Free
- Verified facts
- 4 of 4
- Alternatives ranked
- 3
- Approved reviews
- 0
- Visits sent from here
- 0
About welle.io
welle.io is an open-source receiver for DAB and DAB+ digital radio that works with inexpensive software-defined radio hardware such as RTL-SDR (RTL2832U) sticks and Airspy receivers, plus rtl_tcp, SoapySDR and recorded raw files. It scans for channels, plays stations and shows the extras broadcasters send, such as slide shows and scrolling radio text. An expert mode exposes technical data like signal and spectrum details for hobbyists who want to see what's going on. The interface is designed for touch screens and high-DPI displays, and the app is light enough to run on a Raspberry Pi 2 or newer, which makes it popular for home-built digital radios. Builds are offered for Windows and Linux, with Flatpak recommended on Linux; the macOS and Android versions are unmaintained and stuck on an older release. It is free and focused on one job, so anyone wanting a general-purpose SDR receiver for FM, airband or other signals will need a broader app alongside it.
Best for: Radio hobbyists who want to listen to DAB+ stations on a PC or Raspberry Pi with an RTL-SDR stick.
Pros and cons
What works
- Free and open source
- Works with cheap RTL-SDR dongles and Airspy receivers
- Runs on a Raspberry Pi with a touch-friendly interface
- Shows slide shows, radio text and technical details
Why people leave
- Only handles DAB and DAB+, not FM or other bands
- macOS and Android builds are unmaintained
- Needs separate SDR hardware
welle.io vs SDR++, Gqrx and SDR# (SDRSharp)
From each app's listing and the prices verified on its own site. A dash means we haven't verified it yet.
| Attribute | welle.io | SDR++ | Gqrx | SDR# (SDRSharp) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Open source | Open source | Open source | Free |
| Verified price | — | — | — | — |
| Free plan | Free app | Free app | Free app | Free app |
| Open source | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Self-hostable | No | No | No | No |
| Platforms | Windows, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux | Linux, macOS | Windows |
Top welle.io alternatives
See all 3- 1SDR++68.8
General-purpose SDR receiver for FM, AM and more, with modules that add DAB decoding.
- 2Gqrx61.8
Simple open-source receiver for Linux and macOS for listening beyond the DAB band.
- 3SDR# (SDRSharp)59.4
Popular Windows SDR receiver that can decode DAB+ through community plugins, alongside general listening.
Why people left welle.io
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
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Reviews
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welle.io: common questions
What is welle.io?
welle.io: Open-source DAB and DAB+ digital radio receiver for cheap SDR dongles. Best for radio hobbyists who want to listen to DAB+ stations on a PC or Raspberry Pi with an RTL-SDR stick. Available for Windows and Linux.
Is welle.io free?
Yes. welle.io is free, open-source software.
Is welle.io open source?
Yes. The source code is on GitHub at AlbrechtL/welle.io.
What platforms does welle.io run on?
welle.io is available for Windows and Linux.
What are the best alternatives to welle.io?
The highest-ranked welle.io alternatives right now are SDR++, Gqrx and SDR# (SDRSharp). See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.
welle.io vs SDR++: what's the difference?
Both welle.io and SDR++ are free and open source. Only SDR++ runs on macOS.