Comparison

Platter's Wine Guide vs Tableside Journal

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

Head to head
About

Platter's Wine Guide

Explore South African wines with detailed reviews and producer information. Save your favorites, rate wines, and discover wineries with navigation tools. Access the latest data annually.

Highlights
  • Over 8,000 wine reviews
  • 900+ producer details
  • Winelands travel information
  • User wine ratings
  • Virtual wine collection
  • Social media sharing
  • Geo-location for wineries
Features
Read full description

Platter's by Diners Club Wine Guide 2024 - Everything you want to know about South African wine PLEASE NOTE -- THIS APP IS FREE TO DOWNLOAD BUT THEREAFTER A PAID SUBSCRIPTION TO PLATTER'S DATA IS REQUIRED. A SUBSCRIPTION IS VALID FOR ONE YEAR AND INCLUDES ACCESS TO THE WEB-BASED GUIDE (WWW.WINEONAPLATTER.COM) Since 1980, Platter's hardcover book has been the winelover's essential guide to exploring the world of South African wine, including reviews of over 8,000 wines by a team of expert judges and key information about more than 900 wine producers. This app is “Platter's in your pocket", with the latest wine descriptions and ratings, plus updated winelands travel information at your fingertips. To note: 1. Platter's app has been developed for the latest phone software versions and all features may not work on earlier versions. 2. The app data is replaced annually at launch of the new printed guide. A subscription allows access to the data for one year from date of subscription purchase, whereafter you will need to renew your subscription. 3. Occasionally there may be wines that are not in the database. Usually this is due to producer non-submission or wines not being ready for review by our tasters. You are welcome to email us to check. 4. Users of the web-based version of the guide (www.wineonaplatter.com) can log in to the app using their current Platter's username and password. The app features: - The wine descriptions and ratings for the latest edition (2022), plus all the reviews since 2008 - Search for wines using detailed drop-down menus - Winery overviews and essential information (owner, winemaker, viticulturist etc) - Tourist information such as tasting lounge opening hours, visitor attractions and amenities - Facility to rate the wines yourself - Facility to save your favourite wines and thereby build a virtual collection - Facility share your wine discoveries on social media - Easy winelands navigation via Google maps - Find wineries near you with built-in geo-location

About

Tableside Journal

Features
Read full description

Personal dining journal. Track restaurants, visits, staff, and bookings. Data stays on your device. Export and import backups anytime.

Screenshots

Platter's Wine Guide4 screens
Tableside Journal3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Tableside Journal at none against Platter's Wine Guide's 3. Tableside Journal also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 6 weeks). On price, 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

Both are free to download. Platter's Wine Guide sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.49 per month. Tableside Journal asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Platter's Wine Guide ships an update every 6 weeks, Tableside Journal weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Platter's Wine Guide versus Tableside Journal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPlatter's Wine GuideTableside Journal
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.3 (3 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews11.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size112 MB7 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperJohn Platter SA Wine GuideBo Magnus Jansson

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Platter's Wine Guide

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Subscription$2.491 Month
  • Annual Subscription$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • 12 month Platter's subscription$9.99
None

Tableside Journal

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Platter's Wine Guide free?
Platter's Wine Guide is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Tableside Journal free?
Tableside Journal is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Platter's Wine Guide or Tableside Journal have ads?
Neither Platter's Wine Guide nor Tableside Journal shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Platter's Wine Guide or Tableside Journal?
Platter's Wine Guide ships an update every 6 weeks, and Tableside Journal weekly. Most recently, Platter's Wine Guide was updated on November 6, 2026 and Tableside Journal on October 31, 2026.

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