Comparison

Kestrel LiNK Ballistics vs Ballistic X

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Kestrel LiNK Ballistics

Manage your connected Kestrel Ballistics device to enhance shooting accuracy. Create and store gun profiles, access extensive bullet libraries, and view shooting solutions remotely. The app also facilitates firmware updates for your device.

Highlights
  • Gun profile management
  • Access bullet libraries
  • Remote target viewing
  • Custom target creation
  • Printable range cards
  • Firmware updates
Features
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The Kestrel LiNK® Ballistics App gives you the ability to manage key features and functions of your connected Kestrel Ballistics device to maximize convenience and boost your shooting performance. Quickly and easily create, upload, download, and store gun profiles and access the Applied Ballistics and Hornady libraries of lab-tested bullet parameters and profiles for use in your Kestrel Ballistics Meter using the Gun Profile Manager(1). Place your Kestrel in the vane mount on a tripod (sold separately) to view solutions remotely from your shooting position on your mobile device using Single Target Mode. Create and send up to 10 custom targets to your Kestrel or export a printable range card using Target Card Mode(2). The Kestrel LiNK Ballistics app also allows you to easily update the firmware in any LiNK-enabled Kestrel Ballistics meter or HUD so you always have the latest features and improvements. * Kestrel 5700 Elite Weather Meter with Applied Ballistics, Kestrel 5700 with Hornady 4DOF, Kestrel 5700 Ballistics Weather Meter, 2700 Ballistics Weather Meter, and Kestrel HUD Heads Up Display (1) Kestrel 5700 Elite Weather Meters with Applied Ballistics can access Applied Ballistics G1 & G7 BCs and AB Custom Drag Models. Kestrel 5700 and 2700 Ballistics Weather Meters can access Applied Ballistics G1 & G7 BCs. Kestrel 5700 Ballistics Weather Meters with Hornady 4DOF can access Hornady G1 & G7 BCs and Hornady Bullet Files. (2) Target Card Mode available on Kestrel 5700 Elite Models only.

About

Ballistic X

This app helps shooters calculate shot groups and zero their rifles with an intuitive interface. It offers features for load development and precise turret adjustments, supporting various units and target types. An optional upgrade unlocks advanced statistical analysis tools.

Highlights
  • Shot group calculation
  • Rifle zero adjustment (ATZ)
  • Load development data
  • MOA/MIL or INCH/CM support
  • Advanced statistical analysis (In-App Purchase)
  • Cross-device sync (optional)
Features
Currently charting
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Ballistic-X: The Easiest Way to Calculate Shot Groups and Zero Your Rifle! Designed by shooters, for shooters, Ballistic-X offers a simple, intuitive interface allowing users to customize their experience through the Options Menu. Whether you prefer MOA/MIL or INCH/CM, the app works seamlessly with any target, including Steel. Key Features: - Included: Gain access to the core functionality of Ballistic-X with a single purchase. No subscriptions required for full access to essential tools! - Sync settings across multiple devices by signing in (optional, not required to use the app). - Offers useful data and labeling options that aid in Load Development. - The ATZ (Adjustment To Zero) feature helps you precisely adjust your turrets to bring your rifle to zero, saving you rounds and time. ATZ works dynamically at any range and supports all turret options. Simple Workflow: - Take an image of your target (within the app or from your library) - Designate reference size via Settings (default is 1") - Mark two points on the target corresponding to the reference (for grid or steel targets) - Input the distance from the target - Select the caliber used - Mark Point of Aim and Impacts - Add overlay, label, crop, and export/share - Adjust your optic according to ATZ Upgrade to the Advanced Toolkit (In-App Purchase): Unlock additional pro-level features with the Advanced Toolkit: Advanced Overlay Display Options: - Mean Radius - Circular Error Probable (CEP) - Radial Standard Deviation (SD) - Vertical SD - Horizontal SD - Mean Windage - Mean Elevation - Impact Selector - Export to CSV for further data analysis Ballistic-X is a community-driven app, committed to providing the best user experience possible, along with unbeatable customer service. Join the Ballistic-X community today and elevate your shooting precision! Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.ballistic-x.com/privacy.html

Screenshots

Kestrel LiNK Ballistics4 screens
Ballistic X4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Kestrel LiNK Ballistics at Free against Ballistic X's $7.99. Kestrel LiNK Ballistics also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1). Ballistic X's advantage is rating (3.7 vs 2.8) and review sentiment (57% vs 25%). On ratings volume, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Kestrel LiNK Ballistics is free to download; Ballistic X costs $7.99 up front. Ballistic X sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $9.99 per year. Kestrel LiNK Ballistics asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Ballistic X holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 2.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 60 and 140 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 25% of Kestrel LiNK Ballistics's written reviews are positive against 57% of Ballistic X's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Kestrel LiNK Ballistics ships an update every 3 months, Ballistic X every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 15, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Kestrel LiNK Ballistics versus Ballistic X: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKestrel LiNK BallisticsBallistic X
PriceFree — better$7.99
Rating2.8 (60 ratings)3.7 (140 ratings) — better
Positive reviews24.6% of reviews56.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings60140 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#15 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size28 MB112 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNielsen-Kellerman Co.Nomad Innovations, LLC

Customer experience

Kestrel LiNK Ballistics

All ratings60 ratings
Positive36.7%
Neutral16.7%
Negative46.7%
Written reviews57 reviews
Positive24.6%
Neutral12.3%
Negative63.2%

Ballistic X

All ratings140 ratings
Positive65.7%
Neutral6.4%
Negative27.9%
Written reviews123 reviews
Positive56.9%
Neutral8.9%
Negative34.1%

Bugs and requests

Kestrel LiNK Ballistics

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Ballistic X

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Crashes on launch
  • Photos rotate incorrectly
  • Overlay data not saving properly
  • Compatibility issues with older devices

Requested features

6 requests
  • Automatic impact detection
  • Ability to combine multiple groups on one target
  • More caliber options
  • Customizable overlay colors
  • Ability to rotate and adjust photos before overlay
Show 1 more
  • Statistical analysis of group variation

In-app purchases

None

Kestrel LiNK Ballistics

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Ballistic X

Subscriptions1
  • Advanced Toolkit Yearly$9.991 Year

Questions

Is Kestrel LiNK Ballistics free?
Kestrel LiNK Ballistics is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Ballistic X free?
Ballistic X costs $7.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Kestrel LiNK Ballistics or Ballistic X?
Ballistic X is rated higher. Kestrel LiNK Ballistics averages 2.8 out of 5 from 60 ratings, while Ballistic X averages 3.7 from 140 ratings.
Do Kestrel LiNK Ballistics or Ballistic X have ads?
Neither Kestrel LiNK Ballistics nor Ballistic X shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Kestrel LiNK Ballistics or Ballistic X?
Kestrel LiNK Ballistics ships an update every 3 months, and Ballistic X every 3 weeks. Most recently, Kestrel LiNK Ballistics was updated on September 15, 2026 and Ballistic X on September 20, 2026.

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