Comparison

RugbyREF vs RunCalendar

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

Head to head
About

RugbyREF

This app assists rugby referees with on-field game management, including scoring, substitutions, and cards. It offers a simplified interface for live match control on Apple Watch and iPhone, with features like timers and a shot clock.

Highlights
  • Live match control
  • Scoring and substitutions management
  • Card tracking with timers
  • Shot clock functionality
  • Apple Watch integration
  • Injury and TMO support
Features
Read full description

RugbyREF is a Professional Rugby Union Referee Game Management App, built by an accredited Rugby Referee for Referees who need speed, accuracy and clarity during live matches. Originally launched in 2018, RugbyREF has evolved into a subscription-based game management system for Apple Watch and iPhone, designed to replace paper cards, manual notes and separate stopwatches with a faster match-day workflow. RugbyREF supports club, school and representative fixtures with practical tools for managing time, scoring, cards, penalties and match records from kickoff to full-time. CORE FEATURES: SidelineMANAGER on iPhone: • Main game timer with start, pause and stoppage control • Full scoring for tries, conversions, penalty goals, drop goals and penalty tries • Yellow and red card tracking with player numbers • Shot clock and penalty count support • First half, second half and full-time match control • Match archive and review tools • Clean referee-first layout for live match environments APPLE WATCH EXPERIENCE • Custom team setup • Game timer and score at a glance • Fast scoring and penalty tracking • Yellow and red card recording • Shot clock support • Apple Watch to iPhone sync with supported subscriptions • Designed for speed, clarity and minimal interaction on the run iPHONE COMPANION • Sideline match overview • Match event tracking • Card countdown and player tracking • Saved game archive • WatchSync review and sharing tools SUBSCRIPTIONS: RugbyREF offers subscription options for referees who want Apple Watch match tools, iPhone SidelineMANAGER tools, or the full RugbyREF package with WatchSync and archive support. Available subscriptions include: • Monthly subscription • Annual subscription Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account upon confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription in Apple Account Settings after purchase. Terms of Use: https://www.rugbyref.app/eula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.rugbyref.app/privacy/

About

RunCalendar

Features
Read full description

Every race, seen from above. RunCalendar is where runners find their next race and follow it to the finish line — 14,000+ running events across 126 countries, every one shown in real satellite imagery of its own start line. FIND A RACE • A full year ahead, every race in date order — from the world's majors to your local 5K • What opens this week: the races taking entries right now • Search worldwide; filter by month, distance and region • Honest dates — if the day isn't announced yet we show the month, we never guess • Editorial race guides and curated collections: the Majors, trail escapes, worth the flight PLAN YOUR SEASON • Pick your peak, add lead-ups and wildcards, keep an eye on the ones you're interested in • Reminders the morning registration opens, and before it closes • Share your season, your "I'm in" and every finish as a sticker for your story TRAIN FOR IT • A plan built around your race, your days and how you actually run • Optional Apple Health connection — your runs tick sessions off for you • Adjust it when life happens: move a session, ease off, skip a week away • Your first weeks of every plan are free REMEMBER IT • Results, placings and PBs across 5K, 10K, half and marathon • A pace calculator seeded from your own times • Photos and a memory for every race you finish RunCalendar is free — browse, plan and log without creating an account. No ads. No third-party tracking. Your running data stays yours. Race organisers: claim your event free at runcalendar.com/claim.

Screenshots

RugbyREF4 screens
RunCalendar4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: RunCalendar at every 4 days against RugbyREF's every 6 weeks. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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. RugbyREF sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and RunCalendar sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RugbyREF ships an update every 6 weeks, RunCalendar every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on August 16, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
RugbyREF versus RunCalendar: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRugbyREFRunCalendar
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews42.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscription—
DevicesiPhone, Apple Watch — betteriPhone
Requires iOS18.617.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size56 MB13 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSketchNZMobee Event Apps

In-app purchases

8 purchases

RugbyREF

Subscriptions8
  • Subscription$2.991 Month
  • RugbyREF (Basic)$3.991 Month
  • RugbyREF WatchAPP$3.991 Month
Show 5 more
  • MyRugbyREF (Package)$4.991 Month
  • Subscription$11.491 Year
  • RugbyREF (Basic)$29.991 Year
  • RugbyREF WatchAPP$29.991 Year
  • MyRugbyREF (Package)$34.991 Year
1 purchases

RunCalendar

One-time1
  • Training Plan Unlock$9.99

Questions

Is RugbyREF free?
RugbyREF is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is RunCalendar free?
RunCalendar is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do RugbyREF or RunCalendar have ads?
Neither RugbyREF nor RunCalendar shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RugbyREF or RunCalendar?
RugbyREF ships an update every 6 weeks, and RunCalendar every 4 days. Most recently, RugbyREF was updated on August 16, 2026 and RunCalendar on September 20, 2026.

Other comparisons