Ham Radio Deluxe is my logging software of choice, but it’s not the only serious option out there, and it’s not free. Log4OM and DXKeeper both cover a lot of the same ground with different philosophies, and either is worth considering depending on what you actually need from a logbook.
Log4OM: free and genuinely full-featured
Log4OM, currently on its second major version, is completely free, developed by an Italian team of hams, and maintained as a genuine ongoing project rather than an abandoned freebie. It handles CAT control and rig interfacing directly, integrates with WSJT-X and JTAlert the same way HRD does, includes a built-in DX cluster and spotting display, and covers CAT control, digital mode integration, DXCC and award tracking, and cloud sync with the major online logbooks, essentially the same feature checklist as paid alternatives. The interface is a little rougher around the edges than HRD’s and the learning curve is steeper, since documentation and community support, while real and active, is smaller than what surrounds a long standing commercial product. For hams who want a full-featured logging setup without a subscription or license fee, Log4OM is genuinely one of the best free options available, and its active development community keeps it current with new radios and services.
DXKeeper: part of a larger ecosystem
DXKeeper is part of the DXLab Suite, a collection of interconnected free programs covering logging, spot management, propagation, and more, all designed to work together rather than as standalone tools. DXKeeper specifically is well regarded among serious DXers and contesters for its award tracking depth and its tight integration with the rest of the DXLab tools, though the whole suite’s somewhat dated interface and multi-program setup asks more of a new user than a single all-in-one application would.
A third path: one program instead of a suite
If neither the Log4OM nor DXLab approach appeals, there is a newer option worth a look: Nexus, a free open-source program that builds the mode decoder, the logger, and awards tracking into one app rather than pairing a logger with a separate digital mode program. Its offline DXCC and WAS tracking is source-aware in the same way DXKeeper’s is, an eQSL or QRZ match shows as confirmed but does not count toward the award unless the award actually accepts it.
Which one to actually pick
If you want a modern, single-application logger with a polished interface and don’t mind it being free rather than paid, Log4OM is the easier recommendation for most hams. If you’re specifically chasing DXCC and other awards seriously and don’t mind a more piecemeal software ecosystem, DXKeeper’s award tracking depth is hard to beat. Either way, make sure whatever you choose exports to ADIF cleanly, since that’s what actually lets you move your log between software down the road if you change your mind.
Should you switch
If HRD, or another paid logger, is already working for you, I wouldn’t rip it out just to save the subscription cost. Migrating logging software mid-stream is a genuine hassle and a real risk to your contact history if something goes wrong. But if you’re a new ham setting up your first station and trying to keep costs down, or you’re simply curious what a free alternative actually looks like, Log4OM or DXKeeper are both worth the download. Neither is a stripped-down demo trying to sell you something else.
Related reading: Ham Radio Apps Worth Having on Your Phone · DRAWS and Other Digital Interface Boards