What SDRplay does

SDRplay Ltd is a privately-held UK company (registered in England as 09035244 and in Ireland as 3591295EH, headquartered at 21 Lenten Street, Alton, Hampshire) that designs and sells Software Defined Radio receivers and associated software under the registered trademarks SDRplay®, SDRuno®, SDRconnect® and nRSP-ST®. Founded in 2014, the firm manufactures the RSP family of 14-bit ADC wideband receivers covering 1 kHz to 2 GHz with no spectrum gaps, ranging from entry-level single-antenna units (RSP1B) through multi-antenna premium models (RSPdx-R2) and dual-tuner configurations (RSPduo) to the nRSP-ST, a network-attached plug-and-play receiver with a built-in host computer that launched November 27, 2024. The product is paired with two proprietary software stacks: SDRuno, a Windows application with a plugin ecosystem, and SDRconnect, a cross-platform application for Windows, macOS, Linux and Raspberry Pi with a WebSocket API for third-party automation.

Revenue is generated almost entirely through one-time hardware sales of RSP receivers (with software bundled as a hardware license), priced between roughly $170 USD (RSPdx clearance) and $499 USD (nRSP-ST) depending on model and region. Distribution combines direct e-commerce via sdrplay.com with a global network of authorized resellers — Ham Radio Outlet as the primary US channel plus regional partners in the UK (Martin Lynch and Sons, Moonraker), Germany (Bonito, Funk24.net, Funktechnik-Dathe) and elsewhere — and substantial event-based marketing at amateur radio trade shows (Dayton Hamvention, Ham Radio Friedrichshafen, Hamcation, Pacificon, UK National Hamfest). Customers are concentrated in amateur radio operators and DXers, radio clubs sharing receivers, educational institutions (with an explicit educator discount program and curriculum partnerships), and software developers building on the documented multi-platform API and integrations with GNU Radio and SoapySDR. The firm operates globally across the UK, Ireland, North America (US/Canada) and continental Europe on a small bootstrapped base (1-10 employees, no external funding rounds disclosed).

Name

SDRplay

Legal name

SDRplay Ltd

Website

https://sdrplay.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SDRplay Ltd is a UK-based manufacturer of Software Defined Radio receivers covering 1 kHz to 2 GHz. It sells the RSP hardware family and proprietary SDRconnect/SDRuno software to amateur radio enthusiasts, educators, and developers via direct sales and global resellers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Software Defined Radio Receivers

NAICS

Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (33431), Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (3343)

SIC

Radio & Tv Broadcasting & Communications Equipment (3663)

akta.pro primary industry

Playout Infrastructure & Hardware (Servers, Storage, SDI/IP Gateways) (MPAHAKAJ)

Keywords

• Software defined radio
• SDR receivers
• Wideband radio receivers
• RF spectrum analysis
• Amateur radio equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Alton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales: Sale of SDR receiver hardware including RSP1B, RSPduo, RSPdx-R2, and nRSP-ST. Software (SDRuno, SDRconnect, API) is bundled as a license with hardware purchase.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SDRplay designs, manufactures, and sells the RSP family of 14-bit wideband Software Defined Radio (SDR) receivers covering 1kHz to 2GHz, along with proprietary multi-platform SDR software (SDRconnect and SDRuno). The company distributes this hardware and bundled software to RF engineers, radio amateurs, educators, and software developers worldwide through its own e-commerce site and a global reseller network.

Product overview

SDRplay Ltd is a UK-based company (registered in England 09035244 and Ireland 3591295EH) specializing in Software Defined Radio (SDR) receivers and software. The product portfolio consists of the RSP family of hardware SDR receivers and native SDR software. Hardware ranges from entry-level (RSP1B single antenna) to advanced multi-antenna models (RSPdx-R2, RSPduo dual-tuner) to the networked nRSP-ST all-in-one receiver. The software ecosystem includes SDRconnect (multiplatform application for Windows, MacOS, Linux/Raspberry Pi with remote server capability) and SDRuno (Windows-only with plugin support). The company provides a documented API for developers, a WebSocket API for third-party integration, and supports GNU Radio. SDRplay serves amateur radio enthusiasts, hobbyists, educators, and professionals across HF through VHF/UHF frequencies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SDRconnect: Multi-platform SDR software application supporting all RSP receiver models
• SDRuno
• nRSP-ST

Products and services

• nRSP-ST Networked Receiver All-in-one plug-and-play networked SDR receiver that combines a 14-bit ADC wideband SDR receiver, host computer, and networking capabilities in a single unit. Covers 1kHz to 2GHz with up to 10MHz spectrum visibility, supports three antennas, and enables remote access via the SDRconnect client or built-in web server. Designed for amateur radio operators and clubs needing long-term unattended operation.
• RSPdx-R2 Enhanced wideband full-featured 14-bit SDR receiver with three software selectable inputs including BNC input for up to 200MHz, 500kHz LPF for LF/VLF, HDR mode for enhanced performance under 2MHz, and notch filters on all inputs. Covers 1kHz to 2GHz with up to 10MHz spectrum visibility, aimed at advanced radio enthusiasts and professionals.
• RSPduo Dual-tuner wideband full-featured 14-bit SDR receiver supporting single and dual tuner modes within a single instance of SDRconnect. Features two independent receivers for diversity or simultaneous monitoring of two frequency ranges.
• RSP1B Enhanced version of RSP1A, an entry-level single antenna port wideband full-featured 14-bit SDR and general-coverage communications receiver covering 1kHz to 2GHz. Positioned as a budget-friendly general coverage receiver for amateur radio operators.
• RSPdx Previous-generation wideband full-featured 14-bit SDR receiver with three antenna inputs, HDR mode, and notch filters. Still available while stocks last at special pricing as a transition offering before the RSPdx-R2 supersedes it.
• SDRconnect Multi-platform SDR software supporting Windows, MacOS, Linux, and Raspberry Pi. Supports all RSP models and provides multiple virtual receivers, remote server capability, RDS decoder, noise blankers, noise reduction, rig control, WebSocket API, IQ recording/playback, and diversity support. Bundled with RSP hardware purchases.
• SDRuno Windows-based SDR software application for RSP receivers, supporting plugins and serving as the traditional SDRuno platform. Coexists with SDRconnect on the same OS when the latest version is installed.

Quantifiable outcome

• Covers 1kHz to 2GHz with no gaps
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered primary, core and minor.

• HRO, Inc (Ham Radio Outlet)primaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary US distributor for SDRplay products with physical store locations across the USA. Provides local support and special show pricing. SDRplay team attends HRO-hosted events including Dayton Hamvention and Hamcation where HRO operates booths.
• Martin Lynch and SonscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK-based authorized SDRplay reseller near Heathrow Airport. Hosts SDRplay open days and demonstrations. Carries full SDRplay product range plus antennas and accessories.
• MoonrakercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK-based expert antenna supplier and SDRplay reseller. Provides antenna expertise and has donated equipment for SDRplay demo setups. Offers try-before-you-buy networked radios.
• BonitocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman reseller specializing in antennas and SDRplay products. Demonstrates SDRplay at European events including DNAT and Ham Radio Friedrichshafen. Has extensive knowledge of SDRplay products.
• Funk24.net (CJ Elektronik)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman reseller hosting SDRplay at Ham Radio Friedrichshafen annually. Specializes in Raspberry Pi support and networked SDR solutions including nRSP-ST demos.
• Funktechnik-DatheminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman reseller demonstrating SDRplay at Ham Radio Friedrichshafen alongside other resellers.
• Essaimage Associates Ltd.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner involved in developing the 'Understanding Radio Communications' 11-hour undergraduate course teaching materials sponsored by SDRplay.
• Sapienza University of RomeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDepartment of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering collaborated with SDRplay to develop practical SDR course materials for undergraduate STEM teaching.
• Baltic-LabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerElectronics enthusiast Sebastian runs Baltic-Lab website featuring nRSP-ST demos and maintains a networked nRSP-ST receiver accessible for public testing in Northern Germany.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Icom: Icom is a major manufacturer of amateur radio transceivers and receivers (e.g., IC-R8600 wideband receiver). Comparable to SDRplay in serving amateur radio operators with high-end receiver hardware, though as a broad incumbent with a much wider product portfolio.
• National Instruments / Ettus Research: Ettus Research (a National Instruments brand) makes the USRP family of professional SDR platforms used in research, wireless prototyping, and defense. Comparable to SDRplay in the wideband SDR space, but positioned as a higher-priced professional/research incumbent rather than a hobbyist-focused vendor.

Direct peers

• Lime Microsystems: Lime Microsystems produces the LimeSDR family of wideband, transceiver-capable SDR platforms used by hobbyists, researchers, and educators. Comparable to SDRplay in targeting the maker/hobbyist and academic SDR community with developer-friendly hardware.
• Airspy: Airspy designs and sells SDR receivers (R2, Mini, HF+ Discovery) targeting the same amateur radio, DXing, and spectrum monitoring audience as SDRplay, with overlapping frequency coverage and a similar mix of proprietary hardware plus open integration software.
• Great Scott Gadgets (HackRF): Great Scott Gadgets makes the HackRF One, a popular low-to-mid cost wideband SDR used by hobbyists, security researchers, and educators. Directly comparable to SDRplay as a wideband SDR hardware vendor in the enthusiast channel.
• FlexRadio Systems: FlexRadio builds high-end software-defined amateur radio transceivers (FLEX-6000 series) for the ham radio market. Comparable to SDRplay in serving licensed amateur radio operators with SDR-based hardware, though focused on transmitting transceivers rather than receive-only units.
• WiNRADiO: WiNRADiO produces PC-based wideband SDR receivers and associated software for communications monitoring and amateur use. Comparable to SDRplay in offering receive-only wideband SDR receivers with proprietary software in overlapping frequency ranges.
• Apache Labs: Apache Labs manufactures the ANAN series of SDR amateur radio transceivers used with PowerSDR and other open-source software. Comparable to SDRplay in serving the SDR amateur radio market, though focused on HF transceivers rather than receive-only wideband devices.
• Elad (Elad Software / Compolab): Elad produces the FDM-S series of high-performance wideband SDR receivers (e.g., FDM-S2, FDM-S3) and the companion SW2 software. Closely comparable to SDRplay's RSP family in feature set and target amateur radio/professional listener segment.

Emerging players

• RTL-SDR Blog: RTL-SDR Blog sells low-cost RTL2832U-based dongles and V3 antennas popular with budget hobbyists, and aggregates the broader RTL-SDR ecosystem. It is a comparable player on the receive-only SDR side but operates at the low end of the price spectrum that SDRplay explicitly positions against.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SDRplay
• GitHubgithub.com/SDRplay
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/sdrplayrsp
• Facebookfacebook.com/groups/SDRplay
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sdrplay

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SDRplay