Best SDR software
Desktop receivers and tools for software-defined radio hardware such as RTL-SDR, Airspy and HackRF.
7 apps, ordered by visits from AppBreakup and how often our research lists each one as an alternative. Open any app to see its alternatives.
All SDR software
- Alternatives to SDR++
Lightweight, open-source software-defined radio receiver for Windows, macOS, Linux and BSD.
Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux - Alternatives to SDR# (SDRSharp)
Free Windows SDR receiver from Airspy with a large third-party plugin ecosystem.
FreeWindows - Alternatives to Gqrx
Open-source software-defined radio receiver for Linux and macOS, built on GNU Radio and Qt.
Open sourceLinux, macOS - Alternatives to HDSDR
Free software-defined radio receiver for Windows, with spectrum and waterfall displays.
FreeWindows - Alternatives to SDRconnect
SDRplay's cross-platform receiver software for its RSP radios, with remote access and a WebSocket API.
FreeWindows, macOS, Linux - Alternatives to SDRuno
SDRuno
DiscontinuedWindows SDR receiver software for SDRplay RSP radios, now end-of-life and replaced by SDRconnect.
FreeWindows - Alternatives to welle.io
Open-source DAB and DAB+ digital radio receiver for cheap SDR dongles.
Open sourceWindows, Linux
Our picks by need
Best for most people
SDR++Best for a free option
SDR# (SDRSharp)Best for open source
GqrxBest for Mac
SDRconnectBest for Windows
HDSDRBest for Linux
welle.ioCommon questions
What is the best SDR software?
Based on how often our research lists them as alternatives and visits from AppBreakup, the leading SDR software options right now are SDR++, SDR# (SDRSharp), Gqrx, HDSDR and SDRconnect.
Is there free SDR software?
Yes. SDR++ (open source), SDR# (SDRSharp) (free), Gqrx (open source), HDSDR (free) and SDRconnect (free) have a free option, out of 6 free or freemium apps we track.
Which SDR software is open source?
SDR++, Gqrx and welle.io.