Comparison

Ballistic X vs Range Buddy

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

Head to head
About

Ballistic X

This app helps shooters calculate shot groups and zero their rifles with an intuitive interface. It offers features for load development and precise turret adjustments, supporting various units and target types. An optional upgrade unlocks advanced statistical analysis tools.

Highlights
  • Shot group calculation
  • Rifle zero adjustment (ATZ)
  • Load development data
  • MOA/MIL or INCH/CM support
  • Advanced statistical analysis (In-App Purchase)
  • Cross-device sync (optional)
Features
Read full description

Ballistic-X: The Easiest Way to Calculate Shot Groups and Zero Your Rifle! Designed by shooters, for shooters, Ballistic-X offers a simple, intuitive interface allowing users to customize their experience through the Options Menu. Whether you prefer MOA/MIL or INCH/CM, the app works seamlessly with any target, including Steel. Key Features: - Included: Gain access to the core functionality of Ballistic-X with a single purchase. No subscriptions required for full access to essential tools! - Sync settings across multiple devices by signing in (optional, not required to use the app). - Offers useful data and labeling options that aid in Load Development. - The ATZ (Adjustment To Zero) feature helps you precisely adjust your turrets to bring your rifle to zero, saving you rounds and time. ATZ works dynamically at any range and supports all turret options. Simple Workflow: - Take an image of your target (within the app or from your library) - Designate reference size via Settings (default is 1") - Mark two points on the target corresponding to the reference (for grid or steel targets) - Input the distance from the target - Select the caliber used - Mark Point of Aim and Impacts - Add overlay, label, crop, and export/share - Adjust your optic according to ATZ Upgrade to the Advanced Toolkit (In-App Purchase): Unlock additional pro-level features with the Advanced Toolkit: Advanced Overlay Display Options: - Mean Radius - Circular Error Probable (CEP) - Radial Standard Deviation (SD) - Vertical SD - Horizontal SD - Mean Windage - Mean Elevation - Impact Selector - Export to CSV for further data analysis Ballistic-X is a community-driven app, committed to providing the best user experience possible, along with unbeatable customer service. Join the Ballistic-X community today and elevate your shooting precision! Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.ballistic-x.com/privacy.html

About

Range Buddy

Enhance your shooting skills with comprehensive drills, video analysis, and performance tracking. Record and score your shots, break down your technique frame-by-frame, and connect with instructors for personalized coaching.

Highlights
  • On-video shot scoring
  • Video coaching and analysis
  • Smart training tracker
  • 380+ shooting drills
  • Shot timer integration
  • Performance breakdown
Features
Read full description

Range Buddy is the all-in-one firearms training app for shooters who want better drills, on-video shot scoring, video coaching, a smarter training tracker, and real competition. Connect a shot timer, record and score your shooting on video, break a run down frame by frame, and compete in duels and group challenges. Browse 380+ drills for handgun, rifle, and shotgun, sorted by target type, category, and skill focus, so you can train with purpose and measure progress over time. Record, Score, and Share Your Shooting Hit record and Range Buddy captures your run, then overlays your shot times, splits, and scored hits onto the clip—save to your camera roll and share in seconds. Hits are found and marked automatically, even on brown cardboard. Score against 12 targets including B-8, IPSC, USPSA, IDPA, steel, the FBI QIT and Rangemaster Q quals, and Dot Torture, draw your own zones, or free-shoot with no target at all. Film Studio—Review, Sync, and Compare Turn range footage into training video. Review a single run with hits marked automatically, sync multiple camera angles, or compare up to four runs side by side with frame-by-frame stepping. Waveform editing lines up the beep and every shot, captions generate automatically, and exports come out landscape, square, or vertical. Breakdown—Coach the Video Mark up the video: drop callouts on exact frames, tag steps of the draw, set slow-motion sections, and overlay a skeletal wireframe to show body position. Record a voiceover or picture-in-picture, then export a Coach's Cut—the clean run first, then your analysis with everything baked in. Performance Lab—Analyze Your Draw Record or upload a draw and every rep is measured, graded, and replayed with a skeleton overlay. You get one specific thing to fix, plus phase trends over time. Coaching (Beta—Invitation Only for Instructors) Instructors get a Coach's Desk showing what needs them today: videos to review, student requests, and practice that's due. Assign drills and dry-fire practice, review student video, and send lesson cards and Coach's Cuts. Students see their coach's latest right on Home. Coaching is in beta for invited instructors; students join through their instructor. Find an Instructor Browse instructors near you or online, book and pay for a lesson in the app, and message them directly. Already have a coach? Find another one right from the Coaching tab. Or post a custom training request and let instructors come to you. Shot Timer—Bluetooth or Your Phone Pair a Bluetooth shot timer—AMG Commander, Special Pie, RangeTech, Shooters Global, or Kestrel KST1000—to pull live shot data into your drills and videos. With the Kestrel KST1000, Range Buddy also starts and stops the timer and sets par times from your phone. No timer? Range Buddy detects shots from your phone's mic for live or dry fire, with adjustable sensitivity for quiet trigger presses and shots on screen in real time. Train From Your Wrist Pair an Apple Watch or Wear OS smartwatch to start drills, advance steps, and see shots hands-free. Virtual Instructor The first and only virtual instructor: randomize your training and keep it fun and upbeat. Also included: -Drill search and skill filters: draw to first shot, reloads, movement, and more. -Step-by-step drill breakdowns with requirements and stage setup. -Training tracker with target-specific scoring to measure improvement over time. -Training regimens for repeatable practice plans, and standards to benchmark progress. -Head-to-head duels, group challenges, and drill leaderboards. -A shot calling tool, a random drill picker, and a Dry Fire Tool and Tracker. -Training log with session notes, time, date, and location. -Favorites and community drills. -Pro: export videos without Range Buddy branding. Dry fire, live fire, standards, or match prep—train with structure and keep improving. Standard Apple Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Ballistic X4 screens
Range Buddy4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Range Buddy at Free against Ballistic X's $7.99. Range Buddy also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 56%) and rating (4.8 vs 3.8). Ballistic X's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and chart position (#5 vs unranked). On in-app purchases, monetization model and iOS requirement 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

Range Buddy is free to download; Ballistic X costs $7.99 up front. Ballistic X sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $9.99 per year and Range Buddy sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Range Buddy holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ballistic X has 170 ratings behind it against 19, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 56% of Ballistic X's written reviews are positive against 100% of Range Buddy's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Ballistic X ships an update every 3 weeks, Range Buddy weekly. Both last shipped on November 11, 2026.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Ballistic X versus Range Buddy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBallistic XRange Buddy
Price$7.99Free — better
Rating3.8 (170 ratings)4.8 (19 ratings) — better
Positive reviews56.2% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings170 — better19
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#5 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS16.415.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size111 MB202 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNomad Innovations, LLCPractical Defense Training, LLC

Customer experience

Ballistic X

All ratings147 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral6.1%
Negative27.2%
Written reviews130 reviews
Positive56.2%
Neutral8.5%
Negative35.4%

Range Buddy

All ratings19 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Ballistic X

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Crashes on launch
  • Photos rotate incorrectly
  • Overlay data not saving properly
  • Compatibility issues with older devices

Requested features

6 requests
  • Automatic impact detection
  • Ability to combine multiple groups on one target
  • More caliber options
  • Customizable overlay colors
  • Ability to rotate and adjust photos before overlay
Show 1 more
  • Statistical analysis of group variation

Range Buddy

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Ballistic X

Subscriptions1
  • Advanced Toolkit Yearly$9.991 Year
3 purchases

Range Buddy

Subscriptions3
  • MonthlyTwo$2.991 Month
  • Range Buddy Pro Monthly14 Days trial$7.991 Month
  • Range Buddy 12mo Subscription14 Days trial$49.991 Year

Questions

Is Ballistic X free?
Ballistic X costs $7.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Range Buddy free?
Range Buddy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Ballistic X or Range Buddy?
Range Buddy is rated higher. Ballistic X averages 3.8 out of 5 from 170 ratings, while Range Buddy averages 4.8 from 19 ratings.
Do Ballistic X or Range Buddy have ads?
Range Buddy shows ads; Ballistic X does not.
Which is updated more often, Ballistic X or Range Buddy?
Ballistic X ships an update every 3 weeks, and Range Buddy weekly. Most recently, Ballistic X was updated on November 11, 2026 and Range Buddy on November 11, 2026.

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