ShiftLock vs Cat DB
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ShiftLock
Access a vast database of vehicle electronic shift information for models from 1985 to the present. Quickly find solutions to avoid towing, reduce vehicle damage, and save time roadside. Content is updated regularly for accuracy.
- Extensive vehicle model database
- USA, European, and foreign models
- 1985 to current electronic shifts
- Reduce towing and vehicle damage
- Save release information offline
- Fast learning curve
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Large database of USA, European, and foreign models from 1985 up to the most recent electronic shifts. No more fumbling at the scene of a wreck, or wasted time chasing down customer’s keys. Your PPIs just got easier. With this app, you always have an alternative to dragging. Reduce damage to valuable company equipment and customer's vehicles. Ultra fast learning curve. You'll be comfortable quickly using this app on rotations and TOLs where time really matters. We reduce your time roadside with the ability to save the casualty vehicle's release info for later use, or for use in areas with poor cellular service. Content is updated regularly.
Cat DB
This app provides real-time pricing for catalytic converters, drawing from a vast database of cars and converter listings. It offers tools for searching by VIN or vehicle details, viewing detailed photos, and comparing market prices. Users can manage their findings in a customizable cart and access support for identifying parts.
- Search by VIN or vehicle year/make/model
- View 62,000+ zoomable photos
- Get live market pricing
- Search by partial or no code
- 3D models for OEM confirmation
- Customizable price margins
- View buyers near you
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The No. 1 catalytic converter pricing app. Search 270 Million cars by year/make/model or VIN. Cat DB is the largest USA cat database ever made, with 22,000+ listings including 3,000+ generics. “Free Forever” plan includes 3x code or “no code” searches per day plus a bonus 3x vehicle or VIN searches per month. Enjoy 30 days of browsing without creating a login. Start an account to stay on the “Free Forever” plan. No commitment or credit card required. Need more searches? Try UNLIMITED* free for 7 days with the Level 2 trial. High volume search plans start as low as $11.99/month or $114.99/year. Choose from Live Market catalytic converter prices or pricing backed by North American recycling companies with easy shipping, or drop-off options. The Ultimate Catalytic Converter Pricing App has DOUBLE the tools. You’ll get… SEARCH BY VIN OR VEHICLE Enter or scan the VIN or year/make/model of the junk car and instantly get cat prices and quantity of cats per vehicle. ALL THE PHOTOS 62,000+ Zoomable photos of every angle, including with & without shield and assembly photos. PRICE HERE, SELL ANYWHERE View buyer-backed prices without being restricted to selling to that buyer. Sell wherever you like, no minimums ever. SEARCH BY PARTIAL CODE Enter the code or as much of the code as you can read, then use 28+ filters to narrow your search. SEARCH WITHOUT A CODE Use 28 specs filters (size, shape, brand, sensors, pipes, etc.) to quickly identify cats with rusty or hard to read codes. 3D MODELS Use the fully interactive 3D model to confirm an attached cat is OEM. Or use it to locate all the bolts for easy removal. PRICE ADJUSTMENT Set custom margins up or down on any subscription plan. Hide all prices with a single tap. INITIAL PRICE IN CART Add cats to your cart at any % of profit margin and they will be automatically saved at that price for future reference. CURRENT PRICE IN CART As the market changes, the “current value” view will show you the updated price and calculate your gain or loss. SHIELD REMOVED VIEW Easily identify catalytic converters with missing shields, this filter removes all the shields from cats shown in results. FULLY EDITABLE CART Adjust the quantities by full and all partial material content in the cart per converter. Quick swipe to delete. NO LOST CREDITS Total search results are shown upfront, so you don’t waste credits on too many or zero results. EARN FREE SEARCHES Get rewarded when you contribute expertise, photos, videos, or support to the community. FREE PHOTOGRADING Can’t find what you’re looking for? The cat team is always here to assist via text, Facebook, or email. BUYERS NEAR YOU View the marketplace map to see all buyers near you that pay the prices shown in the app.* LIVE MARKET PRICING View real-time prices that follow the PGM market. Pull a “Total Assay Metals” report on 100+ cats. A PLAN FOR EVERY SEASON Upgrade or downgrade your subscription as needed to suit your needs. 4 plans available. INTERACTIVE METALS GRAPH Watch all catalytic metals live in one graph. Prices update every 15 minutes. 3 years of historic pricing data. PRICE RANGE VIEW Buy junk cars safely with the best and worst case scenario of what you’ll be paid based on the code. FIXED PRICE VIEW See what you’ll be paid if the converter doesn’t have a readable code, AKA the “generic” price. EASY CAT IDENTIFICATION Confidently identify catalytic converters with tons of crystal clear photos, a 3D model, & 28 specifications per cat. catdb.app/terms-conditions catdb.app/privacy-policy *Free trial of “Level 2” subscription plan includes unlimited code/no code searches and 5 vehicle/VIN searches daily. *Buyers are third-party companies based in the USA. Prices of catalytic converters are subject to change with the PGM market. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Cat DB at 100% against ShiftLock's 35%. Cat DB also leads on price (Free vs $6.99) and rating (4.7 vs 3.3). ShiftLock's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 12) and chart position (#29 vs #91). On ratings volume, 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
Cat DB is free to download; ShiftLock costs $6.99 up front. Cat DB sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. ShiftLock asks for nothing beyond the download.
Cat DB holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 42 and 69 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 35% of ShiftLock's written reviews are positive against 100% of Cat DB's.
ShiftLock ships an update every 5 months, Cat DB every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | ShiftLock | Cat DB |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $6.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 3.3 (42 ratings) | 4.7 (69 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 35.1% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 42 | 69 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Ad-supported — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #29 — better | #91 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 55 MB | 154 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Mark Knowles | D8ta Technologies LLC |
Customer experience
ShiftLock
Cat DB
In-app purchases
ShiftLock
No in-app purchases
Cat DB
- Level 07 Days trial$1.991 Month
- Level 13 Days trial$11.991 Month
- Level 1$11.991 Month
Show 9 moreShow fewer
- Level 27 Days trial$19.991 Month
- Level 0$19.991 Year
- Level 3$29.991 Month
- Level 1$63.996 Months
- Level 2$107.996 Months
- Level 1$114.991 Year
- Level 3$161.996 Months
- Level 2$191.991 Year
- Level 3$289.991 Year








