Comparison

Kestrel LiNK Ballistics vs RAD Development

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
Read full description

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

RAD Development

This app allows handloaders to meticulously record detailed notes on over 65 data points for rifle specifications, case preparation, bullet, powder, and environmental factors. It offers 5 different charts to track load development, improving the handloading experience with an easy-to-navigate interface.

Highlights
  • Record 65+ handloading data points
  • Track load development with 5 charts
  • Detailed case preparation data
  • Rifle, bullet, powder, and environment data
  • Easy-to-navigate interface
  • Offline access to notes
Features
Currently charting
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Reloading All Day Development provides the individual handloader to record all of his notes in one place with great detail. Finally, offering the ability to record over 65+ different handloading data points and 5 different charts for load development, one can surely find everything they need to record their information into with an easy to navigate interface. We value the importance of information by providing the tools necessary to improve the individual handloading experience. Most of all, being reloaders ourselves, we understand and listen to the individual handloader and provide virtually everything one would want to record. Our app specifically provides Rifle Specs, Case Preparation, Bullet, Powder, and Environment data points for you to record. Along with 5 other charts to track load development in great detail. For example, our Case Preparation category has many data inputs: Case Brand, Lot Number, Shell Plate Number, Number of Case Firings, Is the Case Annealed?, Case Neck Thickness, Volumetric Weight of Cases on Average, Neck Expanding Mandrel Size, Bushing Size, Full-Length, Full-Length Bushing, Neck-sizing, Flash Holes, Are Flash Holes Uniformed?, Flash Hole Size, Beginning Shoulder Depth, Shoulder Setback, Neck Tension, Case Trim Length, Is Donut Removed?, Neck Turn?, Case Mouth Runout, Primer Type, Primer Pocket Depth, Primer Height from Bottom of Cup to Top of Cup, Bottom of Primer to Top of Anvil, How Far is Primer Below Flush of Case Head?, Chamfer and Deburring angle. As one can see, this is just one aspect of the options we allow users to record their information into. Our main goal with this app is to provide you with the tools necessary to step outside of the box and ultimately help improve your processes. • Easy to navigate • 1 GB converts to over 500+ loads • 27 different data points for just case prep • 65+ different data points for you to record • 5 different charts for load development • No need for cellular service to access notes or use the app • 6+ of more updates planned. • Active community outreach to listen to what you want to see on the app and making it become a reality.

Screenshots

Kestrel LiNK Ballistics4 screens
RAD Development4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: RAD Development at 70% against Kestrel LiNK Ballistics's 25%. RAD Development also leads on rating (4.4 vs 2.8) and chart position (#102 vs unranked). Kestrel LiNK Ballistics's advantage is price (Free vs $1.99). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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; RAD Development costs $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

RAD Development holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 2.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 60 and 26 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 25% of Kestrel LiNK Ballistics's written reviews are positive against 70% of RAD Development's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Kestrel LiNK Ballistics ships an update every 3 months, RAD Development every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 15, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Kestrel LiNK Ballistics versus RAD Development: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKestrel LiNK BallisticsRAD Development
PriceFree — better$1.99
Rating2.8 (60 ratings)4.4 (26 ratings) — better
Positive reviews24.6% of reviews70.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings60 — better26
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
Best chart rank#102 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size28 MB22 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperNielsen-Kellerman Co.Blake Williams

Customer experience

Kestrel LiNK Ballistics

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

RAD Development

All ratings26 ratings
Positive84.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative15.4%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive70.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative30.0%

In-app purchases

None

Kestrel LiNK Ballistics

No in-app purchases

None

RAD Development

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Kestrel LiNK Ballistics free?
Kestrel LiNK Ballistics is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is RAD Development free?
RAD Development costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Kestrel LiNK Ballistics or RAD Development?
RAD Development is rated higher. Kestrel LiNK Ballistics averages 2.8 out of 5 from 60 ratings, while RAD Development averages 4.4 from 26 ratings.
Do Kestrel LiNK Ballistics or RAD Development have ads?
Neither Kestrel LiNK Ballistics nor RAD Development shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Kestrel LiNK Ballistics or RAD Development?
Kestrel LiNK Ballistics ships an update every 3 months, and RAD Development every 5 weeks. Most recently, Kestrel LiNK Ballistics was updated on September 15, 2026 and RAD Development on September 20, 2026.

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