Smart Tools vs BuiltNotBought
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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.
BuiltNotBought
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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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. Smart Tools sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. BuiltNotBought asks for nothing beyond the download.
Smart Tools ships an update every 3 months, BuiltNotBought monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Smart Tools | BuiltNotBought |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (322 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 77.9% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 322 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 24 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Matjaz Marolt | SHYAM 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
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- 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
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- 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
Smart Tools
- Remove advertisement$2.99
BuiltNotBought
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Smart Tools free?
Is BuiltNotBought free?
Do Smart Tools or BuiltNotBought have ads?
Which is updated more often, Smart Tools or BuiltNotBought?
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