Comparison

tcCalc vs Tentacle Timebar

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Timecode and frame calculations
  • Convert between timecode and frames
  • Supports multiple frame rates
  • Automatic value adjustment
  • Copy and paste functionality
  • Memory function
  • Calculation history
Features
Read full description

tcCalc is a calculator built for one job: timecode math in 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. Supported frame rates 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 - Automatic drop frame handling (29.97 / 59.94 fps) - hh:mm:ss mode - Constant calculation for repeating the same operation - Memory functions (add, subtract, recall, clear) - Calculation history (up to 20 entries, tap to restore) - Copy and paste - Dark mode - iPhone and iPad, all four orientations - Dynamic Type and VoiceOver support Simple by design - No ads - No in-app purchases - No network access - works entirely 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.

About

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.

Highlights
  • Monitor timecode
  • View frame rate
  • Check battery status
  • See signal strength
  • Read-only configuration
  • Copy timecode to clipboard
Features
Read full description

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

tcCalc4 screens
Tentacle Timebar2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Tentacle Timebar at Free against tcCalc's $0.99. Tentacle Timebar also leads on device support (4 vs 2) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.6). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Tentacle Timebar is free to download; tcCalc costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

tcCalc ships an update every 3 months, Tentacle Timebar every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
tcCalc versus Tentacle Timebar: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametertcCalcTentacle Timebar
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating4.7 (76 ratings) — better4.3 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews63.2% of reviews66.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings76 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 6 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS17.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRYUICHIROU SHIMONOTentacle Sync GmbH

Customer experience

tcCalc

All ratings76 ratings
Positive90.8%
Neutral6.6%
Negative2.6%
Written reviews19 reviews
Positive63.2%
Neutral15.8%
Negative21.1%

Tentacle Timebar

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral11.1%
Negative22.2%

In-app purchases

None

tcCalc

No in-app purchases

None

Tentacle Timebar

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is tcCalc free?
tcCalc costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Tentacle Timebar free?
Tentacle Timebar is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, tcCalc or Tentacle Timebar?
tcCalc is rated higher. tcCalc averages 4.7 out of 5 from 76 ratings, while Tentacle Timebar averages 4.3 from 4 ratings.
Do tcCalc or Tentacle Timebar have ads?
Neither tcCalc nor Tentacle Timebar shows ads.
Which is updated more often, tcCalc or Tentacle Timebar?
tcCalc ships an update every 3 months, and Tentacle Timebar every 6 months. Most recently, tcCalc was updated on September 23, 2026 and Tentacle Timebar on September 17, 2026.

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