Comparison

Smart Tools vs BuiltNotBought

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

Head to head
About

Smart Tools

This comprehensive utility app provides 31 essential tools and gauges, leveraging your device's sensors. It includes measurement tools, a light, a magnifier, and various sensors for construction, carpentry, and everyday use.

Highlights
  • 31 carpenter, construction, and gauge tools
  • Bubble level and laser level
  • Stud finder and dB meter
  • Ruler, protractor, and magnifier
  • Speed gun and distance meter
  • Unit converter and code reader
Features
Read full description

Meet the largest iOS toolbox kit with 31 carpenter, construction and other tools and gauges like bubble level (spirit level), laser level, stud finder, dB meter, protractor (angle meter)... Use device's in-built sensors in all in one toolbox app, handy like a Swiss army knife. Carpenter and construction toolbox: Ruler; Bubble level (Spirit level); Laser level; Light: Manual torch light, strobe light, light show; Protractor (angle meter) with plumb bob; Magnifier. Gauges toolbox: dB meter with frequency spectrum; Distance and height meter; Speed gun (speed meter); Stopwatch; Metal detector (stud finder); Vibration meter; Luminosity meter; Color sensor; Cardiograph (heart rate meter); Speedometer. Other handy tool kit: Unit converter: Also includes currency converter; Code reader: QR code and bar code; Accelerometer; Night vision; Dog whistle; Metronome; Pitch tuner; Counter; Random generator; Pedometer; Body mass index; Period tracker; Translator. Free kit with advertisement, optional removal with paid upgrade.

About

BuiltNotBought

Features
Read full description

Built Not Bought is the maintenance logbook for the things you wrench on yourself. Whether you're keeping a daily driver tidy, building out an overland rig, or restoring a project, your build's history lives here — not on the back of a receipt that got soaked in oil six months ago. What you can do: • Log every job with title, date, mileage, category, notes, cost, part model, quantity, where you bought it, and who turned the wrench. • Track multiple vehicles — each with its own photo, profile, and history. • Use the eleven built-in categories (oil change, brakes, tires, suspension, electrical, drivetrain, fluids, filters, armor, wheels, other) or create your own with a custom icon and color. • Browse by date, mileage, or cost. Search anything. Records group by month so you can see how each year of ownership shook out. • A Summary tab with totals, an interactive donut of where your money went by category, and a 1M / 6M / 1Y / All time-range filter. • Export to CSV any time — your data, your file. • Sync across iPhone and iPad via iCloud. No accounts, no servers, no ads, no analytics. If you enjoy the app, there's a tip jar in About. No nags, no paywalls — pay once for the app, keep it forever.

Screenshots

Smart Tools4 screens
BuiltNotBought4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: BuiltNotBought at none against Smart Tools's 1. BuiltNotBought also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months). Smart Tools's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 17.6). On price 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

Both are free to download. Smart Tools sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. BuiltNotBought asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Smart Tools ships an update every 3 months, BuiltNotBought monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Smart Tools versus BuiltNotBought: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmart ToolsBuiltNotBought
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (322 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews77.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings322 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsMonthly — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS11.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size24 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMatjaz MaroltSHYAM PATEL

Bugs and requests

Smart Tools

Reported bugs

11 issues
  • App crashes on startup with advertising splash screen
  • Metronome causes app to force close
  • Night vision not working properly
  • Translator feature not functioning
  • Conversion tools not working
Show 6 more
  • Cardiograph readings inaccurate without finger on camera
  • Body fat measurement tool returns to settings
  • Mirror feature disappeared
  • Settings menu crashes on iPad
  • Some tools don't light up or display correctly
  • Currency conversion data outdated

Requested features

14 requests
  • Dark mode matching system settings
  • Calculator tool
  • Compass feature
  • Stud finder functionality
  • Temperature conversion
Show 9 more
  • Smaller volume units (teaspoons, tablespoons)
  • Speedometer in miles per hour (MPH)
  • Mirror tool restoration
  • Proximity warning with audible alarm
  • Screenshot and share functionality
  • Notes tool
  • Customizable tool order/sorting
  • Better UI redesign
  • Landscape mode support

BuiltNotBought

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Smart Tools

One-time1
  • Remove advertisement$2.99
None

BuiltNotBought

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Smart Tools free?
Smart Tools is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is BuiltNotBought free?
BuiltNotBought is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Smart Tools or BuiltNotBought have ads?
Smart Tools shows ads; BuiltNotBought does not.
Which is updated more often, Smart Tools or BuiltNotBought?
Smart Tools ships an update every 3 months, and BuiltNotBought monthly. Most recently, Smart Tools was updated on October 20, 2026 and BuiltNotBought on October 7, 2026.

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