Comparison

IC References vs Electronic

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

Head to head
About

IC References

Access reference designs for electronic and electromechanical components. Search by manufacturer, reference number, or part number, and link directly to design files and datasheets. Facilitates communication by allowing direct email sharing of information.

Highlights
  • Search by IC Manufacturer, Reference, or Part Number
  • Link to IC Reference Designs
  • Link to Würth Elektronik Datasheets
  • Parametric Search for Reference Designs
  • Email Sharing of Information
  • Multilingual Support (English, German, French)
Read full description

The “IC References” App allows you to access all reference designs containing Electronic & Electromechanical Components from Würth Elektronik. Features: - Search via IC Manufacturer, IC Reference or Würth Elektronik Part number - Link to the IC Reference designs - Link to the Würth Elektronik data sheets - Parametric search for any reference design with Würth Elektronik components - Send E-mails direct from the app to inform your customer or colleague - App available in English, German and French

About

Electronic

This comprehensive electronics reference and tool suite offers over 70 calculators, tables, and data for engineers, students, and hobbyists. It features a modern UI, iCloud sync, multi-window support, and PDF export, all accessible offline.

Highlights
  • Over 70 tools, tables, and references
  • Universal app for iPhone, iPad, and Mac
  • iCloud sync across devices
  • Multi-window support for parallel use
  • PDF export for results
  • Offline functionality
  • Modern UI with Dark Mode
Features
Read full description

Electronic Toolbox 2 – The classic, re‑imagined Since 2009, Electronic Toolbox has been one of the most comprehensive electronics references and toolboxes on the App Store—for professionals, students, makers, HAMs, and hobby engineers. With Electronic Toolbox 2, a fully modernized new edition arrives: familiar in structure, up to date technologically, and consistently evolved. # The best and most complete electronics app—now for iPhone, iPad & Mac Over 70 tools, tables, and references—from “A” like ASCII table to “Z” like Zener diode calculation: Everything you need in the lab, workshop, or lecture hall, in one place. • Universal app: One purchase—three platforms (iPhone, iPad, Mac) • iCloud sync: All settings and favorites automatically on all devices • Multi‑window support: Use multiple tools in parallel—ideal for comparisons • PDF export: Save, document, or share results • Pinned tools: Keep important tools always at hand • Interactive tools: New visualizations, e.g., in the Battery Charge tool • Modern UI with Dark Mode: Redesigned, clearly structured, and easy to read # Proven foundation, familiar workflow Electronic Toolbox 2 stays true to its heritage—all known tools are included and have been carefully revised. From calculators to reference data: nothing is missing, much is better. Examples: • Resistor color code and coil calculator • NE555 and heatsink calculation • Conversion and unit tools (HEX, AWG, frequency, and more) • Parametric component search with datasheets • Tables for batteries, drill sizes, IC pinouts, packages, and more • References for boards like Raspberry Pi, Arduino, BeagleBone, Nano Pi … • Global search across all tools • Fully usable offline • No ads, no in‑app purchases # Continuously improved—since 2009 Electronic Toolbox has been maintained and improved with passion for over a decade. With version 2, we carry this legacy forward—on a new technical foundation for the years ahead. Feedback from the community remains central: every suggestion helps make the toolbox even better. # Gentle transition The original Electronic‑Toolbox Pro remains fully usable—existing workflows are not interrupted. Existing customers can switch to the new version via a discounted bundle. Features like the Circuit Editor or Projects will initially remain exclusive to Electronic‑Toolbox Pro and are not yet included in this new edition. # From the developer Jan Roskosch built Electronic Toolbox 2 together with his father Marcus Roskosch, the developer of the original app. A modern realization of a classic—with the same passion for electronics, precision, and quality. # At a glance • Completely new, modern interface • All known tools from the original app included • Universal app for iPhone, iPad, and Mac • iCloud synchronization • PDF export & multi‑window support • Fully usable offline • No ads, no in‑app purchases ----- Electronic Toolbox 2—the future of the electronic toolbox. Continued with passion. Built for you.

Screenshots

IC References4 screens
Electronic4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Electronic at 100% against IC References's 0%. Electronic also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). IC References's advantage is price (Free vs $9.99) and rating (5.0 vs 2.3). 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

IC References is free to download; Electronic costs $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

IC References holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 3 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 0% of IC References's written reviews are positive against 100% of Electronic's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

IC References ships an update every 2 months, Electronic fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
IC References versus Electronic: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIC ReferencesElectronic
PriceFree — better$9.99
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better2.3 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings23 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS9.0 — better18.5
Further details — not scored
Size61 MB166 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperWuerth Elektronik eiSos GmbH & Co. KGMarcus Roskosch

Customer experience

IC References

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Electronic

All ratings3 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

IC References

No in-app purchases

None

Electronic

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is IC References free?
IC References is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Electronic free?
Electronic costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, IC References or Electronic?
IC References is rated higher. IC References averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Electronic averages 2.3 from 3 ratings.
Do IC References or Electronic have ads?
Neither IC References nor Electronic shows ads.
Which is updated more often, IC References or Electronic?
IC References ships an update every 2 months, and Electronic fortnightly. Most recently, IC References was updated on October 3, 2026 and Electronic on October 2, 2026.

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