# Zef vs PaddleMate

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PaddleMate at none against Zef's 3. PaddleMate also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and review sentiment (100% vs 91%). Zef's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (41 vs 1). On price, update cadence and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Zef sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. PaddleMate asks for nothing beyond the download.

PaddleMate holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Zef has 41 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 91% of Zef's written reviews are positive against 100% of PaddleMate's.

Zef ships an update fortnightly, PaddleMate monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and June 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Zef | PaddleMate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (41 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zef/id1447673572/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/paddlemate/id1537377505/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **41** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 90.7% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Freemium | **Ad-supported** |
| Size | 43 MB | 51 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [David Kieffer](https://appshunter.io/developer/1341935892) | [Paddlemate Kft.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1537377507) |

## What reviewers say

### Zef

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zef/id1447673572)

Track and organize your rides for various sports, including nautical activities. Features include race organization, jump height estimation, and social sharing of sessions and spots. Integrates with Health app for comprehensive data recording.

**Highlights:** Race organization and championship management, Jump height estimation using drone technology, Support for a wide range of sports, GPX file import from watches, Health app integration, Social feed for friends and spots, Live tracking and notifications

**Features:** Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium for one  month | $6.99 | per month |
| Summit for one year | $26.99 | per year |
| Premium for one year | $34.99 | per year |


### PaddleMate

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/paddlemate/id1537377505)

This performance measurement system uses hardware sensors and software to help kayak, canoe, SUP, dragon boat, and rowing athletes track and improve their sport performance. Coaches can monitor athlete development, view live data from the water, and provide real-time feedback.

**Highlights:** Force measurement sensor (POD), GPS & data collecting unit (TRACKER), Live data from the water, Training and race data analysis, Pulling force, symmetry, stroke rate tracking, Distance per stroke measurement, Heart rate monitor compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Zef free?

Zef is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is PaddleMate free?

PaddleMate is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Zef or PaddleMate?

PaddleMate is rated higher. Zef averages 4.6 out of 5 from 41 ratings, while PaddleMate averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Zef or PaddleMate have ads?

PaddleMate shows ads; Zef does not.

### Which is updated more often, Zef or PaddleMate?

Zef ships an update fortnightly, and PaddleMate monthly. Most recently, Zef was updated on September 26, 2026 and PaddleMate on June 5, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*