I've been using APRS since about 2004 and I've tried many of the programs available. Here are my thoughts:
UI-View -- Windows XP. Very full-featured. The author died a few years ago and his dying wish was that the source code be destroyed. As a result, there has been no further development of this program. The program is very well supported by the user community and the author had the foresight to make the program extensible so third-party programs can extend UI-View's functionality. That said, as Windows evolves, UI-View may no longer work with whatever the current version of Windows might be. Uses either static or dynamic (pan and zoom) maps, however, to get dynamic maps, you have to purchase a program called Precision Mapping from UnderTow Software. Before you try to use UI-View with any version of Windows after XP or with Precision Mapping, see Stephen Smith's
web site.
WinAPRS -- Windows. No longer supported by the author. To the best of my knowledge, only uses static maps. Tried it once, then deleted it from my computer.
APRSpoint -- Windows. I used to say that this was the easiest APRS program for a new user to get up and running, but the author has all but abandoned this project, so I've backed off on my recommendation. Somewhat limited, but does the basic stuff. Uses map data from Microsoft Streets & Trips. The program used to ship with an old version of Streets & Trips map data, but I do not know if that's still the case nor do I know if it will work with the current data from S&T.
APRSISCE/32 -- Windows XP through 8. Currently and actively supported by the author and the community that has sprung up around it. Very full featured. Uses maps tiles downloaded from the Open Street Maps project or other sources of map tiles. The downside is that you have to be connected to the Internet to download the map tiles, but once you have them, you can disconnect from the Internet. Steep learning curve, but this is the program I am recommending these days. A friend who was an APRSpoint user is currently coming up to speed with APRSISCE/32 and he's making good progress with only a little coaching.
YAAC -- Yet Another APRS Client. A Java app that runs on Windows and other platforms. I don't have any experience with this program, but I've heard good things about it. Also uses Open Street Map maps.
PinPoint APRS -- New kid on the block. I haven't tried it, but it's getting good reviews. Downloads map tiles from various sources similar to APRSISCE/32.
XASTIR -- Linux. Tried it once on a Windows machine running a Linux shell, but didn't spend much time with it.
APRSDOS -- DOS, yes, I said DOS. The granddaddy of APRS clients. Written by Mr. APRS himself, Bob Bruninga WB4APR. Uses static maps. Does everything that Bob talks about in the APRS spec. Has features, like balloon altitude graphing, that the other programs still don't have.
There may be a few other niche products out there, but those are the biggies that I know about.
