Echolink
EchoLink is a free, volunteer-supported VoIP platform owned by Synergenics, LLC that lets licensed Amateur Radio operators communicate globally over the Internet via streaming-audio, with 350,000+ validated users across 159 nations on Windows, iOS, Android, and Web.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersChandler, United States
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Echolink does
EchoLink is a free, multi-platform VoIP application that enables licensed Amateur Radio stations to communicate with one another over the Internet using streaming-audio technology, bridging traditional RF communications and digital networks. Operated by Synergenics, LLC since its founding in 2002, the platform consists of four editions — EchoLink for Windows, iOS, Android, and a browser-based EchoLink Web edition — all distributed at no charge via echolink.org and the major mobile app stores. Access is gated by callsign validation against national amateur radio licenses, and the network spans more than 350,000 validated users across 159 of 193 nations with approximately 6,000 concurrent users and roughly 2,703 active repeater links.
Technically, EchoLink operates as a client-server application whose traffic flows through an EchoLink-managed proxy network, eliminating the need for users to configure firewall ports or router port forwarding; the Web edition specifically uses ~650kbps downstream and 128kbps upstream during audio transmission, with optional low-bandwidth mode, and in-transit data is encrypted. Beyond point-to-point Internet QSOs, the Windows edition supports a Sysop mode that runs dedicated link nodes — hotspots (-L suffix), simplex links, and repeater links (-R suffix) — which bridge the IP network to local FM repeaters or simplex frequencies via hardware interfaces. The platform is interoperable with adjacent amateur VoIP systems, including IRLP (via EchoIRLP), AllStarLink, SvxLink, and Asterisk-based stacks such as HamVoIP and ClearNode, often deployed on Raspberry Pi hardware.
EchoLink has no commercial revenue model: all editions are free, the platform is supported by a small network of volunteers, and no venture funding or public ownership is recorded. Distribution is purely product-led via direct download, app stores, and the EchoLink Web app, with adoption driven organically through the amateur radio community, repeater clubs, hamfests, and operator-to-operator referrals. The company therefore functions as a non-monetized community service under a single legal entity, Synergenics, LLC, which also operates a separate NTS Radiogram Portal linked from the EchoLink homepage.
Echolink firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Echolink
- Legal name
- Synergenics, LLC
- Website
- https://echolink.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- EchoLink is a free, volunteer-supported VoIP platform owned by Synergenics, LLC that lets licensed Amateur Radio operators communicate globally over the Internet via streaming-audio, with 350,000+ validated users across 159 nations on Windows, iOS, Android, and Web.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Echolink industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Amateur Radio Communications Software
- NAICS
- Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621), Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110)
- SIC
- Communications Services, Nec (4899), Radiotelephone Communications (4812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Community/Low-Power Nonprofit Radio (LPFM/Community Radio) (MPABADAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Internet Radio & Streaming Broadcast Stations (Simulcast/Online-only) (MPAIAEAE), Local Translator/Repeater & Low-Power Stations (LPTV, Translators, Fill-In) (MPABACAM)
Keywords
Where Echolink is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chandler
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Echolink business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations
Revenue model
- Free Software Distribution: EchoLink software is offered free of charge to the Amateur Radio community and is supported by a small network of volunteers. No revenue is generated from the software itself - it operates as a community service for licensed amateur radio operators.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Other | All editions - Free |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels3 records
Echolink product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Echolink software enables licensed Amateur Radio stations to communicate worldwide over the Internet using streaming-audio VoIP technology, bridging traditional RF communications with digital networks. The free, volunteer-supported platform supports multiple node types including conference servers, repeater links, simplex PC connections, and RF-link stations, with native clients available for Windows, Android, iOS, and web browsers. Operated by Synergenics, LLC, the service serves more than 350,000 validated users across 159 nations and is sustained on a non-commercial basis.
Product overview
EchoLink is a free multi-platform VoIP service for licensed Amateur Radio stations, enabling worldwide internet-based communications using streaming-audio technology. The product suite consists of four editions: EchoLink for Windows (the primary desktop application), EchoLink for Android, EchoLink for iOS, and EchoLink Web (a browser-based edition). With over 350,000 validated users across 159 nations and approximately 6,000 users online at any given time, the platform connects amateur radio operators globally. The Windows edition supports Sysop mode for running link nodes that bridge Internet and RF communications, with Hotspot, Simplex Link, and Repeater Link configurations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Echolink for Windows Native Windows desktop client that lets licensed Amateur Radio operators connect to the Echolink VoIP network, place and receive calls, view online stations, and link to RF stations through proxy and Sysop nodes.
- Echolink for Android Android mobile client of the Echolink platform providing licensed Amateur Radio operators with on-the-go access to Echolink nodes, conferences, and RF-linked stations from a phone or tablet.
- Echolink for iOS iOS mobile client of the Echolink platform providing licensed Amateur Radio operators with on-the-go access to Echolink nodes, conferences, and RF-linked stations from iPhone or iPad.
- Echolink Web Client Browser-based Echolink client (webapp.echolink.org) that allows licensed Amateur Radio operators to access the Echolink network from any modern web browser without installing native software.
- Echolink Sysop Node Services (Conference, Repeater, Simplex PC, RF-Link) Addressable node types within the Echolink network that Sysop operators can run, including conference servers, repeater links, simplex PC links, and RF-link stations, enabling bridging between the Internet and traditional RF Amateur Radio infrastructure.
- Echolink Proxy Network Network of proxies identified by proxy numbers with bandwidth-status monitoring that supports connectivity and traffic management for the Echolink VoIP platform.
Quantifiable outcome
- Supports 350,000+ validated users in 159 nations with approximately 6,000 users online at any given time
Companies that use Echolink
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Echolink technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature6 records
Echolink partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- IRLP (Internet Radio Linking Project)coreEchoIRLP allows nodes to operate on both EchoLink and IRLP systems. Users purchase an IRLP node and add EchoIRLP software to gain EchoLink capability. This is one of the most common hardware deployments, often running on Raspberry Pi embedded systems.
- AllStarLink NetworkcoreEchoLink can interact with the AllStarLink network through Asterisk-based systems using app_rpt module and the EchoLink channel driver, enabling interoperability between both networks.
- HamVoIPminorCommon deployment package for Asterisk-based EchoLink/AllStarLink nodes, available as ready-to-run hardware/software packages.
- ClearNodeminorReady-to-run hardware/software package for deploying EchoLink nodes, an alternative to DIY setups.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Echolink competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- HamVoIP: Direct peer providing ready-to-run Asterisk-based deployment packages for EchoLink/AllStarLink nodes. HamVoIP serves as a common hardware/software deployment path for operators looking to run linked repeater systems similar to EchoLink nodes.
- IRLP (Internet Radio Linking Project): Direct peer providing internet-based linking for amateur radio stations. EchoLink explicitly interoperates with IRLP through EchoIRLP software, allowing nodes to operate on both networks simultaneously. Both serve the same licensed amateur radio operator community with VoIP bridging.
- DMR-MARC: Direct peer providing DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) networking infrastructure for amateur radio. DMR-MARC connects DMR repeaters worldwide, serving the same licensed operator community as EchoLink with internet-linked voice communications, though using different digital protocols.
- Brandmeister: Direct peer operating a global DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) network for amateur radio operators. Brandmeister provides internet-linked digital voice communications similar in concept to EchoLink, serving licensed amateur operators with repeater linking and global connectivity.
- AllStarLink: Direct peer offering amateur radio VoIP linking via Asterisk-based systems. EchoLink nodes can interact with AllStarLink through app_rpt module and the EchoLink channel driver, making them functionally similar platforms serving the same hobbyist community.
- ClearNode (Node Ventures): Direct peer offering ready-to-run hardware/software packages for deploying EchoLink nodes. ClearNode provides an alternative to DIY setups for amateur radio operators wanting to establish EchoLink-compatible link nodes.
- SvxLink: Direct peer as an open-source Linux-based system providing similar VoIP functionality for amateur radio. SvxLink is positioned as an alternative deployment option for node operators and is compatible with the EchoLink network.
Broad incumbents
- WIRES-X (Yaesu): Broader incumbent in amateur radio digital communications operated by major equipment manufacturer Yaesu. WIRES-X provides internet-linked amateur radio communications as part of Yaesu's wider product portfolio, competing with EchoLink in the same operator community but tied to proprietary Yaesu hardware.
- D-STAR (ICOM): Broader incumbent digital amateur radio platform operated by ICOM. D-STAR provides digital voice and data communications for amateur radio with internet gateway capabilities, serving a similar market to EchoLink but with proprietary hardware ecosystem dependencies.
Emerging players
- Zello: Emerging player in push-to-talk VoIP applications. While Zello serves commercial and consumer markets broadly, its push-to-talk voice channel model has been adopted by some amateur radio and emergency communications communities, creating partial overlap with EchoLink's use cases.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Echolink social profiles
Digital presenceEcholink financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Echolink leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Echolink funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Echolink M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Echolink
What does Echolink do?
Echolink software enables licensed Amateur Radio stations to communicate worldwide over the Internet using streaming-audio VoIP technology, bridging traditional RF communications with digital networks. The free, volunteer-supported platform supports multiple node types including conference servers, repeater links, simplex PC connections, and RF-link stations, with native clients available for Windows, Android, iOS, and web browsers. Operated by Synergenics, LLC, the service serves more than 350,000 validated users across 159 nations and is sustained on a non-commercial basis.
Is Echolink a public or private company?
Echolink is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Echolink founded?
Echolink was founded in 2002. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is Echolink based?
Echolink is headquartered in Chandler, United States, in the North America region.
How does Echolink make money?
One revenue line is on record: free Software Distribution.
Who are Echolink's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are HamVoIP, IRLP (Internet Radio Linking Project), DMR-MARC, Brandmeister, AllStarLink, ClearNode (Node Ventures) and SvxLink. Broad incumbents are WIRES-X (Yaesu) and D-STAR (ICOM). Zello is listed as an emerging player.
Does Echolink have an API?
No public API is recorded for Echolink.
What industry is Echolink in?
Echolink's product category is Amateur Radio Communications Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPABADAE, Community/Low-Power Nonprofit Radio (LPFM/Community Radio), with a secondary code of MPAIAEAE, Internet Radio & Streaming Broadcast Stations (Simulcast/Online-only). Its NAICS code is 51621 and its SIC code is 4899.