tcCalc vs Tentacle Timebar
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
tcCalc
This calculator specializes in timecode and frame-based calculations, offering a familiar interface for quick conversions and duration calculations. It supports multiple frame rates and allows for easy copying and pasting of results.
- Timecode and frame calculations
- Convert between timecode and frames
- Supports multiple frame rates
- Automatic value adjustment
- Copy and paste functionality
- Memory function
- Calculation history
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tcCalc is a calculator built for one job: timecode math for video production. Add and subtract timecode, let it handle drop frame for you, and switch to a frame count with a single tap, all with the feel of an ordinary calculator. Time bases 23.98 / 24 / 25 / 29.97 / 30 / 50 / 59.94 / 60 fps, plus hh:mm:ss for working without frames. Drop frame is applied automatically at 29.97 and 59.94 fps. Features - Add and subtract timecode - One-tap switching between timecode and frame count (seconds in hh:mm:ss mode) - Automatic drop frame handling (29.97 / 59.94 fps) - Constant calculation: press = again to repeat the last operation - Memory: add, subtract, recall, and clear - Calculation history: up to 20 entries with frame rate and date; tap to restore, swipe to delete - Open history with the clock button or by swiping up on the display - Copy and paste from the ••• menu or by touching and holding the result - Built-in How to Use guide Easy to read - Large keys, color-coded by role - Dark mode - iPhone and iPad, in all four orientations - Dynamic Type and VoiceOver support Simple by design - No ads - No in-app purchases - No account or sign-in - The app itself makes no network connections and works offline - No analytics and no tracking Whether you are timing a shoot, finding an edit point, or adding up the length of your footage, tcCalc keeps the math out of your way.
Tentacle Timebar
Monitor the timecode, frame rate, battery status, and signal strength of your Bluetooth Tentacle Sync E and Track E devices. This read-only app prevents accidental misconfiguration, offering a safe way to view device information. Copy the current timecode to your clipboard with a simple press.
- Monitor timecode
- View frame rate
- Check battery status
- See signal strength
- Read-only configuration
- Copy timecode to clipboard
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Use this app to monitor the timecode of your Bluetooth Tentacle Sync E and Tentacle Track E. For each device, the following information is available: ・timecode ・frame rate ・battery status ・signal strength In contrast to the regular "Tentacle Setup" app, this app does not allow for changing the configuration of your Tentacle devices on purpose. The app provides a "read-only" view of your setup, reducing the possibility of accidental misconfiguration. Pressing the timecode copies the current timecode to the clipboard. Tentacle Sync E and Tentacle Track E are available at https://shop.tentaclesync.com or from one of our resellers. Questions? Please visit: www.tentaclesync.com
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Tentacle Timebar at Free against tcCalc's $1.99. Tentacle Timebar also leads on device support (4 vs 2) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). tcCalc's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 4.3) and ratings volume (76 vs 4). On review sentiment, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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
Tentacle Timebar is free to download; tcCalc costs $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
tcCalc holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: tcCalc has 76 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 63% of tcCalc's written reviews are positive against 67% of Tentacle Timebar's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
tcCalc ships an update every 3 months, Tentacle Timebar every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | tcCalc | Tentacle Timebar |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.7 (76 ratings) — better | 4.3 (4 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 63.2% of reviews | 66.7% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 76 — better | 4 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months — better | Every 6 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | RYUICHIROU SHIMONO | Tentacle Sync GmbH |
Customer experience
tcCalc
Tentacle Timebar
In-app purchases
tcCalc
No in-app purchases
Tentacle Timebar
No in-app purchases
