Comparison

Kestrel LiNK Ballistics vs LoadLab

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

LoadLab

Features
Read full description

TRY IT FREE Start with a 2-week free trial — full access to every feature, no commitment. After your trial, subscribe to keep creating new sessions or continue reviewing your existing data for free with no gimmicks! JOIN THE COMMUNITY Connect with fellow precision shooters and reloaders in our Discord community (https://discord.gg/Xuu3rGGCTk). Share groups, compare loads, and help shape the future of LoadLab with direct feedback to the development team. Feel free to check us out on YouTube as well for more information at https://www.youtube.com/@SabreInnovations. subscribe to keep creating new sessions or continue reviewing your existing data for free.Stop guessing. Start measuring. LoadLab instantly analyzes your shooting groups from a single photo. HOW IT WORKS 1. Snap a photo of your target (or import from your library) 2. Calibrate with a known reference (ruler or steel gong) 3. Tap to mark your bullet holes 4. Get instant group measurements and statistics PRECISION MEASUREMENTS - Group Size (extreme spread) in MOA and inches/mm - Mean Radius — the truest measure of group consistency - Circular Error Probable (CEP) - Absolute Target Zero (ATZ) offset from point of aim - Per-shot coordinates and distance from center - Multi-bull target support for ladder tests and load comparison LOAD DEVELOPMENT TRACKING - Build and save reloading recipes with full component details - Track brass, bullets, powder charges, primers, and seating depth - Compare groups across different loads side by side - Equipment vault for managing firearms, optics, and components - Session logbook with searchable history BUILT FOR SERIOUS SHOOTERS - Works with paper targets, cardboard, and steel gongs - Supports any caliber from .17 HMR to .50 BMG - Imperial and metric units - Export and share annotated target photos - iPad optimized with adaptive layouts YOUR DATA, YOUR DEVICE All session data is stored locally on your device and syncs seamlessly across all your Apple devices. Download LoadLab and take the guesswork out of your next range day. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://sabreinnovations.com/loadlab/privacy

Screenshots

Kestrel LiNK Ballistics4 screens
LoadLab4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Kestrel LiNK Ballistics at none against LoadLab's 3. Kestrel LiNK Ballistics also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 26.0). LoadLab's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs every 3 months). On price, ads 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

Both are free to download. LoadLab sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Kestrel LiNK Ballistics asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Kestrel LiNK Ballistics ships an update every 3 months, LoadLab every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Kestrel LiNK Ballistics versus LoadLab: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKestrel LiNK BallisticsLoadLab
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.9 (63 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews24.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings63 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 6 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size29 MB34 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperNielsen-Kellerman Co.Craig Fisher

In-app purchases

None

Kestrel LiNK Ballistics

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

LoadLab

Subscriptions2
  • LoadLab Pro Monthly$2.991 Month
  • LoadLab Pro Yearly$24.991 Year
One-time1
  • LoadLab Pro LifetimeFree

Questions

Is Kestrel LiNK Ballistics free?
Kestrel LiNK Ballistics is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is LoadLab free?
LoadLab is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Kestrel LiNK Ballistics or LoadLab have ads?
Neither Kestrel LiNK Ballistics nor LoadLab shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Kestrel LiNK Ballistics or LoadLab?
Kestrel LiNK Ballistics ships an update every 3 months, and LoadLab every 6 days. Most recently, Kestrel LiNK Ballistics was updated on October 15, 2026 and LoadLab on October 16, 2026.

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