Kestrel LiNK Ballistics vs Shadow Book
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Gun profile management
- Access bullet libraries
- Remote target viewing
- Custom target creation
- Printable range cards
- Firmware updates
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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.
Shadow Book
This digital data book helps responsible shooters track and maintain valuable information for various firearm types. It's designed for both professionals and sportsmen, offering essential features and more for managing round counts, maintenance, and range sessions.
- Track round count
- Log maintenance history
- Record range sessions
- Supports rifles, shotguns, pistols, bows
- Digital data book for shooters
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Welcome to Shadow Book. Shadow Book is a digital Data Book for the responsible shooting community. This app was built and designed for professionals and the sportsman alike. As you navigate Shadow Book you will find that it offers all the basic necessities along with a few surprises all at your fingertips. No matter the system from rifles, shotguns, pistols, bows etc. you'll be able to track and maintain valuable data such as round count, maintenance, and each range session. Note that this app has big update plans as it grows with the community and provides the best usage possible. So please enjoy and stay tuned for more.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Kestrel LiNK Ballistics at Free against Shadow Book's $14.99. Kestrel LiNK Ballistics also leads on update cadence (every 3 months vs every 15 months) and ratings volume (63 vs 6). Shadow Book's advantage is rating (3.3 vs 2.9) and review sentiment (33% vs 24%). On ads, in-app purchases, 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
Kestrel LiNK Ballistics is free to download; Shadow Book costs $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Shadow Book holds the better App Store score, 3.3 against 2.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Kestrel LiNK Ballistics has 63 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 24% of Kestrel LiNK Ballistics's written reviews are positive against 33% of Shadow Book's.
Kestrel LiNK Ballistics ships an update every 3 months, Shadow Book every 15 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | Kestrel LiNK Ballistics | Shadow Book |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $14.99 |
| Rating | 2.9 (63 ratings) | 3.3 (6 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 24.1% of reviews | 33.3% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 63 — better | 6 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months — better | Every 15 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 15.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 29 MB | 26 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Nielsen-Kellerman Co. | Shadow Hog Tactical and Consulting |
Customer experience
Kestrel LiNK Ballistics
Shadow Book
In-app purchases
Kestrel LiNK Ballistics
No in-app purchases
Shadow Book
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Kestrel LiNK Ballistics free?
Is Shadow Book free?
Which has better reviews, Kestrel LiNK Ballistics or Shadow Book?
Do Kestrel LiNK Ballistics or Shadow Book have ads?
Which is updated more often, Kestrel LiNK Ballistics or Shadow Book?
Other comparisons
