List of Software Defined Radio (SDR) Spectrum Analyzer Software for Windows

In this article we provide a list of SDR Spectrum Analyzer software that works on Windows. We also include a table that shows supported Software-defined Radios for each software package.

What is a SDR Spectrum Analyzer?

Software-defined radio spectrum analyzers provide a cost-effective and adaptable solution for signal analysis, enabling users to modify and update functionalities through software changes rather than hardware modifications.

A SDR Spectrum analyzer includes SDR hardware and software that runs on a laptop or PC.

Visualizing the radio spectrum is done on a laptop or PC screen. Compare this to traditional benchtop or handheld spectrum analyzers that include a screen for viewing the FFT spectrum.

Spectrum Analyzer Software

SDR# (SDRSharp)

  • Description: One of the most popular SDR applications for Windows, offering a user-friendly interface and extensive plugin support.
  • Website: SDRSharp

RTL-SDR Blog V4 R828D RTL2832U 1PPM TCXO HF Bias Tee SMA Software Defined Radio with Dipole Antenna Kit

HDSDR

  • Description: A versatile SDR software that supports a wide range of hardware. It features an easy-to-use interface and offers powerful signal processing capabilities.
  • Website: HDSDR

GNU Radio

  • Description: A powerful and flexible software toolkit that provides signal processing blocks to implement software radios. It can be used with various SDR hardware.
  • Website: GNU Radio

Nooelec HackRF One Software Defined Radio, ANT500 & SMA Adapter Bundle for HF, VHF & UHF. Includes SDR with 1MHz-6GHz Frequency Range & 20MHz Bandwidth, ANT-500, and 4 SMA Adapters

CubicSDR

  • Description: An open-source, cross-platform SDR application that provides a visually appealing interface and supports multiple SDR devices.
  • Website: CubicSDR

Gqrx

  • Description: Although primarily developed for Linux, Gqrx also has a Windows version. It is an open-source SDR receiver software with a simple and easy-to-use interface.
  • Website: Gqrx

Nooelec RTL-SDR v5 Bundle - NESDR SMArt HF/VHF/UHF (100kHz-1.75GHz) Software Defined Radio. Premium RTLSDR w/ 0.5PPM TCXO, SMA Input, Aluminum Enclosure & 3 Antennas. RTL2832U & R820T2-Based Radio

SDR Console

  • Description: A comprehensive and feature-rich SDR application that supports a variety of SDR hardware. It offers advanced features such as recording, playback, and remote operation.
  • Website: SDR Console

Spectrum Lab

  • Description: A powerful audio spectrum analyzer software that can be used with SDR hardware for advanced spectrum analysis.
  • Website: Spectrum Lab

SDRUno

Description: A software suite developed by SDRplay for use with their SDR receivers. It offers a highly integrated suite of tools for SDR enthusiasts.

Website: SDRUno

Pothos

  • Description: An open-source data-flow framework that can be used for SDR applications. It supports various SDR hardware and provides a modular, block-based design.
  • Website: Pothos

These software options provide a range of capabilities from basic spectrum analysis to advanced signal processing, catering to both beginners and professionals in the SDR community.

Table of Software and Supported SDRs

SoftwareSupported SDRs
SDR# (SDRSharp)Airspy, RTL-SDR, HackRF, SDRplay, Funcube Dongle, QRP-2000, QRP-2000 and many more
HDSDRRTL-SDR, Airspy, HackRF, Funcube Dongle, SDRplay, QS1R, Perseus, Elektor SDR, and more
GNU RadioUSRP (Universal Software Radio Peripheral), RTL-SDR, HackRF, BladeRF, LimeSDR, and many other SDR platforms
CubicSDRRTL-SDR, HackRF, Airspy, SDRplay, Red Pitaya, and other SoapySDR supported devices
GqrxRTL-SDR, HackRF, Airspy, BladeRF, FunCube Dongle, SDRplay, USRP devices, and more
SDR ConsoleRTL-SDR, Airspy, HackRF, SDRplay, Funcube Dongle, Elad FDM-S1/S2/SW2, Afedri, and more
Spectrum LabAny SDR hardware that provides I/Q data stream including RTL-SDR, FunCube Dongle, and more
Touchstone ProUSRP, RTL-SDR, HackRF, LimeSDR, BladeRF, and other commonly used SDR devices
PothosUSRP, RTL-SDR, HackRF, BladeRF, LimeSDR, and other devices supported by SoapySDR
SDRUnoSDRplay RSP1, RSP1A, RSP2, RSPduo, RSPdx

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