Comparison

RPG Scribe Pathfinder & 3.5 vs PRD Characters

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

Head to head
About

RPG Scribe Pathfinder & 3.5

This app simplifies tabletop role-playing game character management for Pathfinder and D&D 3.5. It automates calculations, guides character creation, and provides built-in rule references. Customize your character sheets and manage all aspects of your game on the go.

Highlights
  • Automated stat recalculation
  • Step-by-step character creation
  • Comprehensive character aspect management
  • Built-in PRD/SRD reference
  • Customizable content
  • DM tools for NPC generation
Features
Read full description

RPG Scribe is a smart character sheet with built-in reference for Pathfinder (1E) and D&D 3.5 (PRD, SRD respectively*). Here are some reasons why thousands of players and dungeon masters love the app, and why you will love it too: • SMART: RPG Scribe knows a lot about Pathfinder/3.5e and does the math for you. Change one thing and all associated stats are recalculated on the fly! • STEP-BY-STEP: Character creation and level-up are performed step-by-step. It takes only seconds (instead of hours with pen & paper) and you just can't go wrong with it! • MANAGE EVERY ASPECT: Every aspect of your character is covered: all basic statistics, skills, feats, spells, inventory, equipment, special ability and ammo tracking, class-specific features (like domains, bloodlines, etc.) and more. • ELEGANT & EFFICIENT: With intuitive layout, attention to detail and extensive use of graphic icons RPG Scribe is designed to be easy and efficient to use while being rich with useful features. • BUILT-IN REFERENCE: RPG Scribe contains built-in PRD reference that can be browsed and searched. Relevant information is always available when you need it! • CUSTOMIZE: You can extend built-in content with your own races, classes, feats, spells, weapon types, etc. • GREAT FOR DMs TOO: As a DM you can easily generate random non-player character or make use of quickly accessible reference. • ALL IN YOUR POCKET: You will never want to go back to a paper character sheet again (nor any other digital)! Check http://rpgscri.be/pf to learn more about RPG Scribe Pathfinder. (*) Pathfinder Reference Document and System Reference Document. Check our website for information on included content.

About

PRD Characters

Create, level up, and track characters for the Pathfinder gaming system. Get guidance on ability scores, classes, races, and spells. Includes a die roller and iCloud backup.

Highlights
  • Character creation and leveling
  • Ability score guidance
  • Class and race selection
  • Spell slot tracking and preparation
  • In-app die roller
  • iCloud backup and sync
Features
Read full description

PRD Characters allows you to create, level-up, and track characters for the PRD(Pathfinder Reference Document) gaming system. The App will give you choices and guidance for such aspects as ability scores, class selection, race selection, feature choices, spells, and more. Pop-up menus will display exactly how scores are calculated, allowing you to add your own adjustments if there is something else you want taken into account. Spell tracking tells you how many spell slots you have, lets you prepare spells in those slots, and keep track of which ones have been cast. You can back up and sync your characters between devices using Apple's iCloud. In addition, the App provides a die-roller for performing standard die rolls, as well as custom die rolls for any need. The free version allows you to create and level up characters up to level 4 using all the Core Rulebook races and 4 basic classes, Fighter, Rogue, Cleric, and Wizard. Buying a subscription gives you access to all the Core Rulebook and Advanced Player's Guide classes (except for Loremaster and Pathfinder Chronicler) and allows character levels all the way up to 20. PRD Characters now supports races from the Advanced Race guide. See demonstration here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFX52Z751pA There are two Full Functionality Subscriptions, one for 3 months and the other for 1 year. Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account after you confirm purchase. These are auto-renewable subscriptions, which means they automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Accounts will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period at the same charge as the initial purchase. Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable. The Privacy and Terms of Use can be found at: http://shinybuttonsoftware.com/prd-characters/prd-characters-privacy-policy/

Screenshots

RPG Scribe Pathfinder & 3.54 screens
PRD Characters3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: PRD Characters at Free against RPG Scribe Pathfinder & 3.5's $2.99. PRD Characters also leads on iOS requirement (10.3 vs 16.6). RPG Scribe Pathfinder & 3.5's advantage is rating (4.6 vs 4.1) and review sentiment (80% vs 56%). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model 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

PRD Characters is free to download; RPG Scribe Pathfinder & 3.5 costs $2.99 up front. RPG Scribe Pathfinder & 3.5 sells 6 one-off in-app purchases and PRD Characters sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.49 per 3 months. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

RPG Scribe Pathfinder & 3.5 holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 589 and 148 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of RPG Scribe Pathfinder & 3.5's written reviews are positive against 56% of PRD Characters's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RPG Scribe Pathfinder & 3.5 ships an update monthly, PRD Characters every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
RPG Scribe Pathfinder & 3.5 versus PRD Characters: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRPG Scribe Pathfinder & 3.5PRD Characters
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating4.6 (589 ratings) — better4.1 (148 ratings)
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews — better56.3% of reviews
Number of ratings589 — better148
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
Best chart rank#125 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.610.3 — better
Further details — not scored
Size48 MB30 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperRlyeh IndustryShiny Button Software, LLC

Customer experience

RPG Scribe Pathfinder & 3.5

All ratings589 ratings
Positive90.8%
Neutral4.6%
Negative4.6%
Written reviews200 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral9.5%
Negative10.5%

PRD Characters

All ratings146 ratings
Positive76.7%
Neutral9.6%
Negative13.7%
Written reviews32 reviews
Positive56.3%
Neutral12.5%
Negative31.3%

User reviews

RPG Scribe Pathfinder & 3.5

From 589 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Best character sheet app
  • 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
  • 🔧 Highly customizable
  • 📚 Comprehensive database
  • 🔄 Frequent updates

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Missing some content
  • 🔒 Limited customization options
  • 💰 Paid expansion required for full content
  • 🤖 Lack of dice rolling functionality

PRD Characters

From 148 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Useful and helpful app
  • 👍 Great for theory crafting
  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 👍 Makes playing easier
  • 👍 Digital reference

Room to improve

  • 😞 Unreadable text
  • 😞 Poor color contrast
  • 😞 White text on light background
  • 😞 Ugly UI choices
  • 😞 Not customizable

Bugs and requests

RPG Scribe Pathfinder & 3.5

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Character data corruption after updates
  • Menu bar disappearing
  • Issues with custom data entry

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add support for Pathfinder 2E
  • Implement animal companions/familiars
  • Allow editing of existing characters
  • Incorporate Mythic rules
  • Add more equipment, weapons, and items

PRD Characters

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Hint system illegible
  • Exotic Weapon Proficiency selection issue
  • Tips not showing properly in dark mode

Requested features

11 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • More books added
  • Change text color in tip bubbles
  • Fix tips not showing in dark mode
  • Ability to edit feats
Show 6 more
  • Enchanting items feature
  • More content released
  • Tile to track HP with damage/heal buttons
  • Immersive overlay over character picture
  • Regular human characters option
  • More customizability

In-app purchases

6 purchases

RPG Scribe Pathfinder & 3.5

One-time6
  • Small Heart$0.99
  • Psionic Pack$1.99
  • Epic Pack$1.99
Show 3 more
  • Medium Heart$4.99
  • Expansion Pack$6.99
  • Large Heart$9.99
2 purchases

PRD Characters

Subscriptions2
  • 3 Month Subscription$2.493 Months
  • 1 Year Subscription$5.491 Year

Questions

Is RPG Scribe Pathfinder & 3.5 free?
RPG Scribe Pathfinder & 3.5 costs $2.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is PRD Characters free?
PRD Characters is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, RPG Scribe Pathfinder & 3.5 or PRD Characters?
RPG Scribe Pathfinder & 3.5 is rated higher. RPG Scribe Pathfinder & 3.5 averages 4.6 out of 5 from 589 ratings, while PRD Characters averages 4.1 from 148 ratings.
Do RPG Scribe Pathfinder & 3.5 or PRD Characters have ads?
Neither RPG Scribe Pathfinder & 3.5 nor PRD Characters shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RPG Scribe Pathfinder & 3.5 or PRD Characters?
RPG Scribe Pathfinder & 3.5 ships an update monthly, and PRD Characters every 4 months. Most recently, RPG Scribe Pathfinder & 3.5 was updated on November 6, 2026 and PRD Characters on November 2, 2026.

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