Comparison

Hornady Reloading Guide vs LoadBench

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

Head to head
About

Hornady Reloading Guide

Access comprehensive reloading data for hundreds of cartridges and bullets, based on extensive testing. Purchase individual data sets, the entire current edition, or subscribe for continuous updates and full access to all data on your mobile device.

Highlights
  • Reloading data for 200+ cartridges
  • Data for 300+ bullets
  • Safe data based on controlled testing
  • Purchase individual cartridge data
  • Purchase full handbook edition
  • Subscription for all data and updates
Features
Read full description

Derived from extensive testing by Hornady Manufacturing Company, this app includes reloading data for over 200 cartridges and 300 bullets. Under carefully controlled conditions using the components and test equipment specified, we report only data that proved safe in our research. Users have the ability to purchase data for individual cartridges, purchase the whole current edition of the handbook, or subscribe and receive the entire handbook plus more. Subscription provides access to all handbook data on your mobile device and real updates for all new data without waiting for the new handbook publication to be produced.

About

LoadBench

This app helps firearm enthusiasts find the most accurate and consistent ammunition loads. It visualizes test results for powder charge and seating depth, organizes data by firearm, and includes a ballistics calculator. Data is encrypted for privacy, with an optional subscription for multi-device syncing.

Highlights
  • Powder charge testing and velocity statistics
  • Seating depth (OAL) testing and group size analysis
  • Data organized by firearm
  • Component and environmental condition logging
  • Integrated ballistics calculator
  • End-to-end encrypted data storage
Features
Read full description

Every reloading app can log components. LoadBench helps you find the perfect load. Stop the frustrating guesswork of load development. LoadBench is a powerful analysis tool designed to guide you through the process of finding your firearm's most accurate and consistent recipe. We go beyond simple record-keeping to help you visualize your results and make data-driven decisions. VISUALIZE YOUR PERFECT LOAD: This is what sets LoadBench apart. Our app is built around the core tasks of load development: Powder Charge Testing: Easily log every shot across a range of powder charges. LoadBench then calculates the velocity statistics (SD, ES) for each charge, allowing you to visually identify the "node"—the charge that produces the most consistent muzzle velocity. Seating Depth (OAL) Testing: Systematically test different seating depths and record your group sizes. Our interface lets you visually compare the accuracy results to find the OAL that produces the tightest groups for your firearm. Instead of hunting through a notebook, you can see clear, side-by-side comparisons that make your best load combination obvious. ORGANIZED BY FIREARM: Every test and every piece of data is tied to a specific firearm. Optimize loads for your entire collection and easily access your "favorite" and most accurate recipes for each gun. COMPREHENSIVE LOGGING SUPPORT: Of course, we have the essentials covered. Log all your components (bullets, powder, primers, brass), environmental conditions, and detailed notes to support your load development process. INTEGRATED BALLISTICS CALCULATOR: Once you've found your perfect load, use our built-in calculator to analyze its downrange performance. Compare trajectories and understand the capabilities of your optimized handloads before you go to a match or a hunt. YOUR DATA, SECURE & PRIVATE: We believe your data is yours alone. All of your reloading and firearm information is encrypted at rest on your device for the utmost privacy. For users who want to analyze data on a computer and log at the range, our optional premium subscription offers multi-device syncing. This service is built with end-to-end encryption, meaning no one but you can ever access your data—not even us. Stop just logging data. Start using it. Download LoadBench and take the guesswork out of precision reloading.

Screenshots

Hornady Reloading Guide3 screens
LoadBench4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: LoadBench at 5.0 against Hornady Reloading Guide's 4.6. LoadBench also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). Hornady Reloading Guide's advantage is ratings volume (17K vs 1) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 4 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Hornady Reloading Guide sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per year and LoadBench sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

LoadBench holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Hornady Reloading Guide has 17K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Hornady Reloading Guide ships an update every 2 months, LoadBench every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Hornady Reloading Guide versus LoadBench: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHornady Reloading GuideLoadBench
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (17K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews31.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings17K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size71 MB44 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperHornadyDeadNuts, LLC

Bugs and requests

Hornady Reloading Guide

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Purchased data disappearing or inaccessible
  • Unable to log in or access account
  • Blank screens and unknown errors
  • Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions

Requested features

4 requests
  • Offline access to data
  • Improved range log with more details
  • Seamless integration with in-app purchases
  • Support for more powder and bullet options

LoadBench

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Hornady Reloading Guide

Subscriptions1
  • Reloading Guide Subscription$19.991 Year
One-time2
  • Hornady Point$0.99
  • 20 Hornady Points$19.99
1 purchases

LoadBench

Subscriptions1
  • Premium$4.991 Month

Questions

Is Hornady Reloading Guide free?
Hornady Reloading Guide is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is LoadBench free?
LoadBench is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Hornady Reloading Guide or LoadBench?
LoadBench is rated higher. Hornady Reloading Guide averages 4.6 out of 5 from 17K ratings, while LoadBench averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Hornady Reloading Guide or LoadBench have ads?
Neither Hornady Reloading Guide nor LoadBench shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Hornady Reloading Guide or LoadBench?
Hornady Reloading Guide ships an update every 2 months, and LoadBench every 4 months. Most recently, Hornady Reloading Guide was updated on October 17, 2026 and LoadBench on October 10, 2026.

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