Comparison

Blacktail Hunter vs Ballistic X

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

Head to head
About

Blacktail Hunter

This app provides over 35 years of hunting knowledge for offline use in the field. It offers lessons and streaming/downloadable content from experienced guides to help hunters succeed on public land.

Highlights
  • Offline access to hunting knowledge
  • Expert guidance from experienced guides
  • Lessons on hunting techniques
  • Stream or download content
  • Public land hunting strategies
Features
Read full description

SUBSCRIPTION CANCELLATIONS are with your iTunes account ! not the app developer or ANY app developer. Contact Apple or search 'how to cancel an app subscription'. This app has over 35 years of hunting knowledge loaded onto it to be used as reference IN THE FIELD with no internet connection required. The contributor has been a professional big game guide for over 20 years. All of his personal black tail success has been self guided on public land. Use this app as a valuable tool while you hunt. BLACKTAIL HUNTER SUBSCRIPTION OPTIONS The Blacktail Hunter app is free to download. All users have access to one or more free lessons from most chapters. While subscribed, viewers can stream or download for later access all lessons for every chapter. The subscription is automatically renewed, but the auto-renew can be canceled at any time. Here are the available subscription packages: Monthly Pass (One Month Subscription) Season Pass (Three Months Subscription) Annual Pass (One Year Subscription) BLACKTAIL HUNTER SUBSCRIPTION PAYMENT DETAILS - Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. - The subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. - The account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal - Subscriptions may be managed by you and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the your Account Settings after purchase - Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription to that publication, where applicable. - No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during active subscription period For information on our privacy policy please visit: http://www.howtohunt.com/privacy For information on our terms of use please visit: http://www.howtohunt.com/terms-of-service

About

Ballistic X

This app helps shooters calculate shot groups and zero their rifles with an intuitive interface. It offers features for load development and precise turret adjustments, supporting various units and target types. An optional upgrade unlocks advanced statistical analysis tools.

Highlights
  • Shot group calculation
  • Rifle zero adjustment (ATZ)
  • Load development data
  • MOA/MIL or INCH/CM support
  • Advanced statistical analysis (In-App Purchase)
  • Cross-device sync (optional)
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Ballistic-X: The Easiest Way to Calculate Shot Groups and Zero Your Rifle! Designed by shooters, for shooters, Ballistic-X offers a simple, intuitive interface allowing users to customize their experience through the Options Menu. Whether you prefer MOA/MIL or INCH/CM, the app works seamlessly with any target, including Steel. Key Features: - Included: Gain access to the core functionality of Ballistic-X with a single purchase. No subscriptions required for full access to essential tools! - Sync settings across multiple devices by signing in (optional, not required to use the app). - Offers useful data and labeling options that aid in Load Development. - The ATZ (Adjustment To Zero) feature helps you precisely adjust your turrets to bring your rifle to zero, saving you rounds and time. ATZ works dynamically at any range and supports all turret options. Simple Workflow: - Take an image of your target (within the app or from your library) - Designate reference size via Settings (default is 1") - Mark two points on the target corresponding to the reference (for grid or steel targets) - Input the distance from the target - Select the caliber used - Mark Point of Aim and Impacts - Add overlay, label, crop, and export/share - Adjust your optic according to ATZ Upgrade to the Advanced Toolkit (In-App Purchase): Unlock additional pro-level features with the Advanced Toolkit: Advanced Overlay Display Options: - Mean Radius - Circular Error Probable (CEP) - Radial Standard Deviation (SD) - Vertical SD - Horizontal SD - Mean Windage - Mean Elevation - Impact Selector - Export to CSV for further data analysis Ballistic-X is a community-driven app, committed to providing the best user experience possible, along with unbeatable customer service. Join the Ballistic-X community today and elevate your shooting precision! Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.ballistic-x.com/privacy.html

Screenshots

Blacktail Hunter4 screens
Ballistic X4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Blacktail Hunter at Free against Ballistic X's $7.99. Ballistic X's advantage is rating (3.8 vs 2.7) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months). On ads, in-app purchases, 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

Blacktail Hunter is free to download; Ballistic X costs $7.99 up front. Blacktail Hunter sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month and Ballistic X sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $9.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Ballistic X holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 2.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ballistic X has 163 ratings behind it against 27, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 40% of Blacktail Hunter's written reviews are positive against 56% of Ballistic X's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Blacktail Hunter ships an update every 4 months, Ballistic X every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Blacktail Hunter versus Ballistic X: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBlacktail HunterBallistic X
PriceFree — better$7.99
Rating2.7 (27 ratings)3.8 (163 ratings) — better
Positive reviews40.0% of reviews56.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings27163 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank—#8 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB111 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperHowtohunt Outdoors Ltd.Nomad Innovations, LLC

Customer experience

Blacktail Hunter

All ratings27 ratings
Positive40.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative59.3%
Written reviews35 reviews
Positive40.0%
Neutral5.7%
Negative54.3%

Ballistic X

All ratings147 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral6.1%
Negative27.2%
Written reviews130 reviews
Positive56.2%
Neutral8.5%
Negative35.4%

Bugs and requests

Blacktail Hunter

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Ballistic X

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Crashes on launch
  • Photos rotate incorrectly
  • Overlay data not saving properly
  • Compatibility issues with older devices

Requested features

6 requests
  • Automatic impact detection
  • Ability to combine multiple groups on one target
  • More caliber options
  • Customizable overlay colors
  • Ability to rotate and adjust photos before overlay
Show 1 more
  • Statistical analysis of group variation

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Blacktail Hunter

Subscriptions3
  • Blacktail Deer Pass$5.991 Month
  • Blacktail Deer Pass$10.993 Months
  • Blacktail Deer Pass$40.991 Year
1 purchases

Ballistic X

Subscriptions1
  • Advanced Toolkit Yearly$9.991 Year

Questions

Is Blacktail Hunter free?
Blacktail Hunter is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Ballistic X free?
Ballistic X costs $7.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Blacktail Hunter or Ballistic X?
Ballistic X is rated higher. Blacktail Hunter averages 2.7 out of 5 from 27 ratings, while Ballistic X averages 3.8 from 163 ratings.
Do Blacktail Hunter or Ballistic X have ads?
Neither Blacktail Hunter nor Ballistic X shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Blacktail Hunter or Ballistic X?
Blacktail Hunter ships an update every 4 months, and Ballistic X every 3 weeks. Most recently, Blacktail Hunter was updated on October 24, 2026 and Ballistic X on October 26, 2026.

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