# Ace Hardware vs Harbor Freight Tools

The clearest difference is ads: Harbor Freight Tools at none against Ace Hardware's shown. Harbor Freight Tools also leads on review sentiment (93% vs 66%). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Ace Hardware against 4.8 for Harbor Freight Tools. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 410K and 237K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 66% of Ace Hardware's written reviews are positive against 93% of Harbor Freight Tools's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly monthly. Both last shipped on October 30, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Ace Hardware | Harbor Freight Tools |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (410K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ace-hardware-home-improvement/id1495294584/reviews)** | [4.8 (237K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/harbor-freight-tools/id1533833273/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **410K** | 237K |
| Positive reviews | 66.2% of reviews | **93.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | #95 | **#86** |
| Size | 99 MB | 43 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Ace Hardware Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/811583847) | [Harbor Freight Tools](https://appshunter.io/developer/1533833275) |

## What reviewers say

### Ace Hardware

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ace-hardware-home-improvement/id1495294584)

**Currently charting:** #95 Top Free · Shopping (US App Store)

This app enhances your shopping experience by providing access to your rewards, local store information, and a wide selection of home improvement products. You can shop for items, choose pickup or delivery options, and track your rewards progress.

**Highlights:** Ace Rewards tracking and offers, Find and contact local stores, Shop thousands of home improvement products, In-store, pickup, and delivery options, Visual search for products, View purchase history and store items

**Features:** Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Helpful and knowledgeable staff
- 🏪 Convenient neighborhood store experience
- 💰 Competitive pricing compared to big box stores
- 🛒 Wide selection of products
- 🏆 Excellent customer service

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy and slow app
- 🔍 Ineffective search functionality
- 🤔 Inconsistent inventory information between app and stores
- 💳 Inability to save payment information in app
- 🤷‍♀️ Confusing and frustrating app experience

**Reported bugs**

- Endless login loop issues
- App crashes and white screen problems
- Incorrect or outdated product information
- Rewards program integration problems
- Inconsistent app behavior across devices

**Requested features**

- Ability to check real-time in-store inventory
- Integration with password managers for easy login
- Improved search with better filtering and sorting options
- Seamless online ordering and in-store pickup experience
- Modern, intuitive app design and user interface


### Harbor Freight Tools

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/harbor-freight-tools/id1533833273)

**Currently charting:** #86 Top Free · Shopping (US App Store)

Discover the latest coupons, instant savings, and exclusive deals for members. Browse tools, check local stock, and create wish lists. Scan barcodes in-store for more product information.

**Highlights:** Latest coupons and instant savings, Inside Track Club member deals, Browse tools and watch videos, Check in-stock availability, Create and sync wish lists, Barcode/QR scanner for product info

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 👍 Helpful customer service
- 💡 Exclusive app-only deals
- 🚀 Intuitive search
- 👍 Instruction manuals included

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Constant logout issues
- 🐛 Refreshes when switching apps
- 🐛 Inaccurate in-store inventory
- 🔍 Missing product listings
- 👎 Frustrating navigation when viewing items

**Reported bugs**

- Constant logout issues
- Refreshes when switching apps
- Inaccurate in-store inventory
- Navigation issues when viewing items

**Requested features**

- Ability to link account and sync 'My List'
- Display aisle locations for items
- Improved offline functionality and caching


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Ace Hardware free?

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

### Is Harbor Freight Tools free?

Harbor Freight Tools is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Ace Hardware or Harbor Freight Tools?

Ace Hardware is rated higher. Ace Hardware averages 4.8 out of 5 from 410K ratings, while Harbor Freight Tools averages 4.8 from 237K ratings.

### Do Ace Hardware or Harbor Freight Tools have ads?

Ace Hardware shows ads; Harbor Freight Tools does not.

### Which is updated more often, Ace Hardware or Harbor Freight Tools?

Ace Hardware ships an update monthly, and Harbor Freight Tools monthly. Most recently, Ace Hardware was updated on October 30, 2026 and Harbor Freight Tools on October 30, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Ace Hardware or Harbor Freight Tools?

Ace Hardware currently peaks at #95 in the App Store charts, and Harbor Freight Tools at #86. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*