# Collections Database — user reviews

> 314 indexed App Store user reviews of Collections Database by Matteo D'Ignazio, rated 4.60/5 from 186 ratings.

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/collections-database/id1568395334/reviews
- App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/collections-database/id1568395334.md
- Rating breakdown: 5★ 143 · 4★ 27 · 3★ 6 · 2★ 4 · 1★ 6

## What do users think of Collections Database?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 👍 Flexible and customizable
- 🚀 Powerful and feature-rich
- 💡 Excellent integration with Apple ecosystem
- 🔒 Secure and private data storage
- 💰 Good value for money

**Cons**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and sync issues
- 📚 Lacking comprehensive documentation
- 🔍 Limited search and filtering capabilities
- 🔀 Difficulty moving/copying data between collections

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Keyboard issues when using search
- Inconsistent behavior between iOS and macOS versions

**Most requested features**

- Collaborative features for sharing databases
- More advanced reporting and visualization options
- Improved import/export functionality
- Ability to customize the appearance and layout

## Newest reviews (16 of 314)

### 4/5 — Free limited version

*2026-06-28, version 7.4.2*

Agter weeks of entering data and images, since your last update of the app, lost all my data nothing left even if this is a limited version, there no excuses for wiping all this work down he drain, no use starting again since it might disappear again unless you have a way of recovering all 100 entries i’ve lost…. Ok foune in setting to activate icloud, all’s back.

### 2/5 — Somewhat okay, very limited information on actual usage

*2026-06-28, version 7.4.2*

I have a need for a fairly simple database… 3-4 tables with a couple of relationships and a handful of fixed drop down elements.  This program will "sort of" handle this but the relationships are very difficult to setup correctly and you are extremely limited on what information is viewable between them.  There is also not an easy way (if at all) to view the linked information… for example, if you had an orders table and an items table (one-to-many), when you look at the orders table all you can see from the items is the first field, none of the additional information which makes it pretty useless.  Glad I didn’t waste a ton of money on it.

### 4/5 — A Fantastic database that you can tailor to your needs

*2026-06-08, version 7.4.2*

This is a great database that, after a small bit of trying out things to understand how it works, can do some powerful things. With the only other database I’ve been using now switching to an expensive subscription mode I’ve migrated all my data to this (and that was an easy job using CSV including photos). I’m very happy with Collections.

### 4/5 — Beautiful, but….

*2026-05-08, version 7.4.2*

Using this is a beautiful and rich experience but the inability to edit templates posthumously is a downer, as is the inability to name new documents. I also can’t figure out a way to delete a collection to start over with a new template which could inevitably get rather messy. Maybe I’m just stupid, maybe it’s because I am half asleep, maybe it’s Maybelline. No certainly not the last one.

### 4/5 — Collections Database

*2026-04-30, version 7.4.2*

I have only used this for literally a few minutes but the import of all data was the easiest of any database I have ever used (and I have used a lot)!

### 2/5 — Performance Doesn’t Scale Well Past ~400 Entries

*2026-03-23, version 7.4*

Have been using this to store a couple of my collections with relatively complex schemas and summaries.   By the time I hit 400ish entries in each, the thing slows to a crawl.   On the order of 10+ seconds per click.   I likely would have switched to something else already if I wasn’t already so invested.   If I see a performance improvement in future I’ll adjust my review to match.

### 5/5 — Valuable

*2026-02-10, version 7.3*

I was very specific in what I was looking for when I found this app and was happy to make the purchase; has been a great tool and the developer is quick to respond to questions

### 5/5 — Fingers Crossed!

*2026-02-07, version 7.2.3*

Since getting my iMac in 2009 I’ve bought two databases. The first was discontinued and eventually so was the one I chose to replace it. It’s still early days with this app but I like the feel of it and am hopeful it will be available and supported a lot longer than the others were. Going for the Pro version was a no brainer bearing in mind the reasonable price compared with other database options in the Apple Store. I’ve yet to try the import option from CSV file but fingers crossed it’ll work and prove to be the solution for my large music collection.

### 4/5 — Best Database App! One Request

*2026-01-27, version 7.2.3*

I’ve tried every database app under the sun. This is the best and the most affordable by far. Love this app. One request to make this five stars—a better card view of our databases. I’d love to sit back and view my databases as beautiful, large thumbnails. The Explore feature is nice but takes a few taps to get to and the images are cramped. Other than that, this is the essential document-your-collection app!

### 5/5 — Amazing app, great value

*2026-01-19, version 7.2.2*

Very full featured mini database app with surprising and impressive capabilities even at the free (non pro) tier. One off purchase for Pro features make it even more powerful. 

I particularly like the expressiveness of the formulas, which haven’t let me down yet. Relational database functions are solid. Apple Shortcuts integration is excellent. UI and documentation are good. 

It would be great to have some kind of stored procedure support (might be solved with the Sources feature, not sure). Triggers that fire Shortcuts would be cool. Forms and Reports could be a future development path, but of course this might be overkill for the app.

### 5/5 — Perfect

*2026-01-19, version 7.2.2*

I was searching for a step up from spreadsheets and wanted a proper personal database without unnecessary complexity. Collections perfectly hits that sweet spot.  It’s flexible powerful and thoughtfully designed with a clean intuitive UI that doesn’t intrude.

I also appreciate it’s a one-off purchase rather than another subscription. My only real criticism is the documentation is a bit light. However honestly figuring things out as you go is part of the fun and the app is well designed enough that exploration feels rewarding rather than frustrating.

### 5/5 — Fantastic App

*2026-01-09, version 7.2.2*

This is a great and  powerful app. Fairly easy and intuitive. The free version has enough functionality to create many useful collections. It is worth paying the Author by subscribing to Pro version to appreciate his great work.

### 5/5 — Great Database App

*2026-01-08, version 7.2.2*

I use a database to track various things. I have been using a different app for some time, but starting to have issues with it.  So I looked for an alternative. 

Collections is just what I was looking for. It was easy to move over the tables by dumping to CSV and importing to Collections. Using this I moved over 35 separate, inter-linked, tables (i.e. Collections and sub-collections) containing over 25,000 records. 

The app has a modern user interface and works well. Data is synchronised across Mac, iPhone and iPad - making the data available on the move (very handy when I am looking to buy another vinyl record and making sure I do not already have it ;o)

I am loving some of the advanced features, especially formulas for manipulating strings (concatenating string with other text and combining fields and using logic to test if a field is empty and do the right thing).

I did have an issue, but contacted the team and they responded very quickly to help.

### 2/5 — WARNING - No refunds on a Pro License

*2026-01-05, version 7.2.2*

The app works great, so I decided to purchase a Pro License but found out one of the features doesn’t work as I thought it would based on the documentation on it. Apparently, the purchase is "ineligible for a refund" period. A shame since I don’t really need the app anymore due to that feature not working as I expected. I assume not the developer’s fault, but something to keep in mind for those interested. The feature in question was "Views".

### 5/5 — Great

*2025-12-23, version 7.2.1*

The app introduces a little bit of learning curves but wonderful once we are there

### 5/5 — Great app

*2025-12-21, version 7.2.1*

I was looking for an app to help me track inventory of hardware I have in my garage for building things. This app is a bit hard to understand at times. But is extremely customizable. Other inventory apps were very limited in what they could do.  The pro version is also very affordable. I’m happy support this awesome developer!

## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated)

### 1/5 — It would be great if it worked

*2026-05-21, version 7.4.2*

Confusing, and I couldn’t find anything in the database not even Shrek

### 1/5 — Complicated and a lot of missing data

*2026-04-09, version 7.4.1*

I have use this app maybe a year now. Just use the basic feature as they cant explain well the other features. And data are missing.  I thought i just didnt put it in but i have more data that i know its there and gone. I have to find other app that is secure and dependable

### 1/5 — no longer working

*2026-03-06, version 7.3*

I bought the unlimited version of this app for my book collection and now the barcode scanner and even the search will not show me books.. it suddenly stopped and cannot even find books it found before? so upsetting.

### 1/5 — Losing data and format change without any reason

*2026-02-22, version 7.3*

I know ive been putting some data but when i look at it i cant find it. Also the format just change all of a sudden

### 1/5 — Fonctionne si on sait coder

*2025-03-15, version 6.2.4*

L’app est totalement inutile vue qu’elle me demande de configurer du code avec des API key pour fonctionner. J’y reviendrais quand elle sera mieux finie. Je ne pige rien à ce charabia 😰

### 1/5 — Loved it til it started crashing every time I hit save

*2025-01-20, version 6.2.1*

I have one small collection with 76 entries. App suddenly started crashing when I try to add a new entry and hit the Save button. I’ve tried restarting the app, restarting iPad and removing and reinstalling the app. The app is essentially useless at this point.

### 1/5 — Very basic for 2025

*2025-01-04, version 6.1*

Look else where…

### 1/5 — NO

*2024-12-27, version 6.1*

Please let us have unlimited entries for free I love this app but it’s limited and I wish it was not
PLZ I WANNA KEEP TRACK OF MY DVDS AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

### 1/5 — Shortcuts broken

*2024-11-12, version 6.0.3*

Can’t add from shortcuts action

### 1/5 — Costa poco e vale meno

*2024-10-02, version 6.0.1*

Dovevo decidere se rinnovare la licenza del DB che uso da anni ma che è diventato un po’ costoso. Ho tentato con questa alternativa ma sono molto pentito. Ho chiesto se si poteva avere anche un template di ricette di cucina credendo che fosse interessante anche per altri utenti e mi è stato proposto di farlo io per metterlo a disposizione di tutti. Allora ho capito che rinnoverò la mia vecchia licenza col mio vecchio DB

## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated)

### 5/5 — Amazing, multi-purpose database creator

*2026-07-26, version 7.4.2*

Amazing 3D database creator. Multiple use and so, so flexible and customizable. Examples and help manual really helpful. I’ve created multiple databases all within one application, which are able to replace other separate applications. 
Still discovering and experimenting new features. 

“Support “ respond really promptly.

Hope development of this amazing app continues,

### 5/5 — Perfect for my needs

*2026-07-06*

I had been using iDatabase for years to manage a VERY simple database that I want to sync on my iPhone and Mac. But their recent update is incredibly buggy, and has left me with a loss of confidence. So I researched other simple database options and Collections got nice mentions. I must say I agree. 

I think too much software has become mired in complexity and so feature rich, that for most users, it’s severe, expensive overkill. So far, this is a nice piece of software at a very reasonable price. 

All the features I need have worked flawlessly, and although the needs are simple, they are met with flying colors. If nothing goes wrong in a few days, I’ll be back to confirm, purchase the complete version, and give some more feedback.

### 5/5 — Excellent!

*2026-06-11, version 7.4.2*

This is a very customisable App which allows you to set up the different ways to display & sort your data. It is easy on the face of it but once you spend time looking closer - wow! Well done to the Developer!

### 5/5 — Great app

*2026-05-18, version 7.4.2*

I have found this to be one of the best DB apps, and I’ve tried a few!  I purchased it around 5 months ago and it’s performed as I hoped it would.

### 5/5 — Great App Tbh!

*2026-05-13, version 7.4.2*

I love this app. It’s really wonderful, super in depth and it’s great for keeping track of things. I especially love how you can have subdatabases endlessly. Lots of features for getting specific data, too. Would def recommend purchasing the full version (one time purchase)

### 5/5 — True personal DB

*2026-04-04, version 7.4.1*

I was looking for a solution to build a personal database with inventory and relational capabilities. This app is perfect — it offers just the right level of flexibility at a very reasonable one-time price. I also integrated a QR code system using an Epson P-touch, and everything works flawlessly. Syncing between my devices and my Mac works very well too.

### 5/5 — Great app!

*2026-04-02, version 7.4.1*

It took a little getting used to, but it really does stand out in that it provides a stable platform, all my data is readily accessible, it syncs perfectly, and it’s not subscription based!

### 5/5 — Great APP

*2026-03-29, version 7.4*

This App is easy to use and works very well. I would like to make a suggestion though. It would be better if we could name Documents. A long list of Documents being all the same name makes it tough, even though the Search option is good for locating a Field.

### 5/5 — Great customer service

*2026-03-10, version 7.3*

I'm new to this database stuff but the couple of times I was stuck, they responded the next day. I was struggling with some filters and they quickly responded with instructions on how to do what I needed. You don't get that type of service much more these days.

### 5/5 — Great compact db!

*2026-02-15, version 7.3*

Great compact db with tons of features. Well worth the price and support is quick and spot on.

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-29.*
