Comparison

Ballistic X vs Handload

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

Handload

Features
Read full description

Handload is a free reloading log and load development tool for handloaders who want to find their rifle's most accurate load — and keep every record safe. Brand-neutral by design. Log any powder, any bullet, any primer, any brass, from any manufacturer. RELOADING LOG Record every load recipe: cartridge, firearm, powder and charge weight, bullet, primer, brass, and seating depth (COAL/CBTO). Every load is tied to the rifle you shot it in, so your history stays organized. LOAD DEVELOPMENT Run charge weight ladders, OCW tests, and seating depth tuning. Enter your chronograph string and Handload calculates average velocity, extreme spread, and standard deviation automatically. The velocity chart highlights the flat spot — the accuracy node — so you can see exactly where your load stabilizes. GROUP AND ACCURACY TRACKING Log group size in MOA or millimetres, track accuracy across charge weights, and compare loads side by side to see which one your rifle actually prefers. COMPONENT INVENTORY Track powder, primers, bullets, and brass by quantity, lot number, and cost. Low stock alerts warn you before you run out mid-project. COST PER ROUND See what each round costs to load, broken down by component, with a break-even comparison against factory ammunition. BRASS AND BARREL LIFE Track case firings, trim length, primer pocket condition, and annealing. Keep a round count per barrel so you always know where you stand on throat erosion. YOUR DATA STAYS SAFE Cloud backup and sync, plus CSV and PDF export. No more losing years of load records to a dead phone. METRIC AND IMPERIAL Full support for grains and grams, fps and m/s, inches, MOA and mrad. FREE No ads. Core features free. SAFETY Handload is a record keeping and analysis tool. It does not supply load data and does not tell you what is safe to load. Always follow current published data from your powder, bullet and primer manufacturer, start low, and work up carefully. You are responsible for the safety of every round you load.

Screenshots

Ballistic X4 screens
Handload4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Handload at Free against Ballistic X's $7.99. Handload also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 3 weeks). Ballistic X's advantage is chart position (#4 vs unranked). On ads, device support 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

Handload is free to download; Ballistic X costs $7.99 up front. Ballistic X sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $9.99 per year. Handload asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Ballistic X ships an update every 3 weeks, Handload every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Ballistic X versus Handload: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBallistic XHandload
Price$7.99Free — better
Rating3.8 (147 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews55.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings147 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
Best chart rank#4 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.415.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size107 MB34 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperNomad Innovations, LLCEX Corporation Oy

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

Handload

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Ballistic X

Subscriptions1
  • Advanced Toolkit Yearly$9.991 Year
None

Handload

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Ballistic X free?
Ballistic X costs $7.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Handload free?
Handload is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Ballistic X or Handload have ads?
Neither Ballistic X nor Handload shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Ballistic X or Handload?
Ballistic X ships an update every 3 weeks, and Handload every 4 days. Most recently, Ballistic X was updated on October 20, 2026 and Handload on October 10, 2026.

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