GroupTalk vs Hytera HALO in 2026
Compare GroupTalk, Hytera HALO, and OperatorLink for crane crew communication, prices, setup, and published features.
2Dig is published by the makers of OperatorLink, which is compared here alongside other tools.
A crane crew using OperatorLink gets STOP, HOLD and SLOW on the jobsite, and button presses, chat and voice pass between phones in a browser [1]. GroupTalk's cited pages describe group voice channels, PTT groups, construction site communication, and personal alarms [2] [2] [2] [2]. Hytera HALO's cited pages describe DMR two-way radios, TETRA systems, and intrinsically safe radios [3] [3] [3]. The choice depends on whether the crew needs the signal controls described for OperatorLink, the group communication features described for GroupTalk, or the radio products described for Hytera HALO.
| Option | Own fee | Card fee |
|---|---|---|
| GroupTalk | Free 14-day trial [4] | not published |
| Hytera HALO | not published [3] | not published |
| OperatorLink | Free to use; no paid plan is built yet [1] | not published |
The short answer
OperatorLink shows STOP, HOLD and SLOW to the jobsite crew and passes button presses, chat and voice between phones in a phone browser [1]. GroupTalk's cited pages describe group voice channels that allow simultaneous communication across multiple teams and separate PTT groups for different roles, functions, areas, or tasks [2] [2]. Hytera HALO's cited pages describe DMR two-way radios, TETRA systems, and intrinsically safe radios [3] [3] [3]. A crane crew that needs the OperatorLink signal controls should check those claims against the job needs [1] [1]. A crane crew that needs GroupTalk's listed communication features or Hytera HALO's listed radio products should check those options directly against the work requirements [2] [2] [3].
What GroupTalk, Hytera HALO is built for
GroupTalk's cited pages describe group voice channels for simultaneous communication across multiple teams [2]. GroupTalk's cited pages describe separate PTT groups for different roles, functions, areas, or tasks [2]. GroupTalk's cited pages describe construction site communication with live location tracking, alarms, and group communication [2]. GroupTalk's cited pages describe personal alarms that report incidents immediately to nearby colleagues and central management [2]. Hytera HALO's cited pages list DMR two-way radios, TETRA systems, and intrinsically safe radios [3] [3] [3].
What OperatorLink is built for
OperatorLink is made by the team that publishes this site. For a crane crew member, it shows STOP, HOLD and SLOW to the jobsite crew, and passes button presses, chat and voice between phones in a browser [1]. A STOP releases every held direction on every phone and shows a full-screen alert to everyone else [1]. HOLD and SLOW stay on for everyone in the jobsite and are cleared when the last person leaves [1]. Holding a move button keeps sending that move to the other phones, and if it stops arriving for 2 seconds, they drop it [1]. One-tap radio-style calls such as Go Ahead, Copy That and All Clear are sent as chat messages [1]. Anyone who joins can take part in a voice call run from the phone browser [1].
Pricing and fees
GroupTalk offers a free 14-day trial [4]. GroupTalk's page also offers a free trial and a sales contact [2]. Hytera HALO's cited facts used on this page do not publish a price, so its price is not published here [3] [3] [3]. OperatorLink is currently free to use, and no paid plan is built yet [1]. The card fee is not published for GroupTalk, Hytera HALO, or OperatorLink.
Setting it up on a jobsite
OperatorLink runs in a phone browser with no app install [1]. The person who starts a jobsite shares a link or QR code, and the crew joins from it [1]. Button presses, chat and voice pass between phones in a browser [1]. A jobsite link stops working 12 hours after the first person joins it [1]. A jobsite with nobody in it is wiped after 3 idle hours [1]. GroupTalk's cited pages describe PTT groups and group communication, but they do not give jobsite joining steps in the facts used here [2] [2]. Hytera HALO's cited pages describe radio products, but they do not give jobsite joining steps in the facts used here [3] [3].
Things to check before you choose
Does the crew need STOP, HOLD, and SLOW controls that pass between phones, or does it need the communication features described by GroupTalk and Hytera HALO [1] [2] [3]? Which phones will the crew use, and does the phone browser setup match the shift needs [1]? Does the crew need group voice channels, PTT groups, or radio products described by the other options [2] [2] [3]? What price details should be confirmed before choosing an option?
How to choose
If the crew needs STOP, HOLD, and SLOW signals shown to the jobsite crew, OperatorLink's claims describe those functions [1] [1] [1]. If the crew needs group voice channels across multiple teams, GroupTalk's cited page describes that feature [2]. If the crew needs separate PTT groups for roles, functions, areas, or tasks, GroupTalk's cited page describes that feature [2]. If the crew needs DMR two-way radios, TETRA systems, or intrinsically safe radios, Hytera HALO's cited pages list those products [3] [3] [3].
Frequently asked questions
Is OperatorLink free to use?
OperatorLink is currently free to use, and no paid plan is built yet [1]. The published product claim used here does not give any other price details. A crew comparing tools should check the current terms before choosing a communication option.
Does GroupTalk offer a free trial?
GroupTalk offers a free 14-day trial [4]. GroupTalk's cited page also offers a free trial and a sales contact [2]. The facts used here do not publish a price after the trial, so that price is not published here.
Does OperatorLink work in a phone browser?
OperatorLink runs in a phone browser with no app install [1]. Button presses, chat and voice pass between phones in a browser [1]. A crew can join a jobsite from a link or QR code shared by the person who starts it [1].
Can GroupTalk set up separate PTT groups?
GroupTalk's cited page says separate PTT groups can be set up for different roles, functions, areas, or tasks [2]. The facts used here do not describe the steps for creating those groups. A crew should check how that setup works before choosing.
How long does an OperatorLink jobsite link last?
An OperatorLink jobsite link stops working 12 hours after the first person joins it [1]. A jobsite with nobody in it is wiped after 3 idle hours [1]. The person who starts a jobsite shares a link or QR code, and the crew joins from it [1].
OperatorLink is currently free to use, and no paid plan is built yet. [1]
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