Comparison

Mantis Laser Academy vs Ballistics Report

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

Head to head
About

Mantis Laser Academy

This app provides a smart dry-fire laser training system using your smartphone's camera to detect hits, score shots, and time your performance. Enhance your marksmanship and speed with various drills, including competitive dueling modes, all from the convenience of your home.

Highlights
  • Automatic hit detection
  • Automatic scoring
  • Shot timing
  • Marksmanship drills
  • Speed drills
  • Dueling drills
  • Save training history
Read full description

TRAIN SMARTER: Mantis Laser Academy is a dry-fire laser training system, built around smart targets that support automatic hit detection, scoring, and shot time in the Laser Academy app from data provided by the camera on your smartphone. TRAIN AT HOME: Mantis Laser Academy enables you to set up a dry fire laser range that is powerful, safe, convenient, and very inexpensive. Laser Academy drills are built to enhance your shooting performance, in both marksmanship and speed. Test your skills against your friends using dueling drills that allow you to shoot side by side. KEY FEATURES: - Automatic target detection - Automatic shot detection - Automatic scoring - Marksmanship, speed, and reaction time drills - Shooter-to-shooter dueling drills - Save to history GETTING STARTED: Once you have your gear, you are ready to train. Before getting started check the training area and all firearms for safety. Ensure any firearms are unloaded and remove live ammunition from the training area. - Place the smart targets in the desired location. Avoid areas where glare from lights and windows may the affect detection of shots on the targets. - Place your smartphone on the tripod and point the rear camera at the target(s) you have placed. - If you are using a laser cartridge, load the laser cartridge into the chamber of your firearm. - Launch the Mantis Laser Academy app on your phone, select a drill, and proceed to train. DRILLS and SMART TARGETS: The Mantis Laser Academy app has a variety of drills focused on different aspects of shooting. Some drills require specific smart targets. Other drills work with any smart target. Several drills support multiple targets and allow local competition between shooters. Smart targets are automatically detected and scored by Mantis Laser Academy. Using smart targets provides the most enjoyable and valuable training experience. The Control Target allows you to Start, Stop, Clear, and Close in the app by shooting specific regions on the Control Target. Mantis Laser Academy has a selection of free drills and a selection of drills that can be purchased or unlocked. You can purchase a single drill or Full Access in the app. Our mission is to help every shooter improve their accuracy and confidence. Mantis Laser Academy is the latest innovation in our next-level shooting systems designed to help you achieve a higher level of proficiency. Train smarter, train better, train with Mantis.

About

Ballistics Report

Measure and track shooting accuracy using your iPhone camera, replacing physical tools. Get instant feedback, detailed analytics, and insights into your progress with various firearms and techniques. Plan training and set goals to improve your performance.

Highlights
  • Ballistics Cam for automatic shot group measurement
  • Digital range journal with target photos and notes
  • 100+ actionable shooting accuracy insights
  • Infinite Zero for precise optic adjustments
  • Dry fire and live fire goal setting
  • Training plans and shooting challenges
Read full description

Measure and track your shooting accuracy with just your iPhone. This app replaces your measuring calipers, range journal, training planner, zeroing targets and more! Get instant accuracy metric feedback after each shot group you track. Manage progress with over 100+ actionable shooting accuracy insights. Access all features with range session upgrade packages or get unlimited range sessions with a pro subscription. Bye-Bye Measuring Calipers The 'Ballistics Cam' replaces calipers as the modern way of measuring your shot groups. View the target with your iPhone camera and tap to mark the point of aim and hits. Measurements are calculated automatically delivering you shot group analytics, accuracy metrics, and more. Works on any target. As easy and point and shoot. Digital Range Journal Save a photo of your target along with automatically calculated shot group metrics like MOA and shot accuracy. Each shot group metric is ranked by percentile giving you instant actionable feedback. Record extra notes and keep all your range info secured and available anywhere you go. Shooting Insights Track your progress over time. See how dry firing improves your shot group metrics. View and compare your accuracy using different firearms, munitions, shooting drills, weapon attachments, shooting stances, shooting grips, and much, much more. Over 100+ actionable Insights and counting. Zero Optics with Infinite Zero 'Infinite Zero' delivers exact MOA adjustments for any zero at any distance. By using the shot group metrics from the 'Ballistics Cam', you can achieve a 36 yard zero with a target 10 yards away or a 300 yard zero with a target 25 yards away. Any zero at any distance, the zero possibilities are infinite. Dry Fire & Live Fire Goals Encourage and motivate ongoing training with goals. Maintain a training streak with weekly goals to get your dry fire reps in. Improve accuracy with live fire goals to get your best shot group. Plus: Monthly shooting challenges Training Plans Drill Insights Munition Insights Optic Insights Global benchmarks Shot Placement mapping And much more! Terms of Use https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Mantis Laser Academy4 screens
Ballistics Report4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Mantis Laser Academy at 4.7 against Ballistics Report's 4.2. Mantis Laser Academy also leads on ratings volume (4.1K vs 361) and device support (3 vs 1). Ballistics Report's advantage is review sentiment (78% vs 69%). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. Mantis Laser Academy sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Ballistics Report sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $10.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Mantis Laser Academy holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Mantis Laser Academy has 4.1K ratings behind it against 361, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 69% of Mantis Laser Academy's written reviews are positive against 78% of Ballistics Report's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Mantis Laser Academy ships an update every 3 weeks, Ballistics Report every 10 days. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Mantis Laser Academy versus Ballistics Report: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMantis Laser AcademyBallistics Report
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (4.1K ratings) — better4.2 (361 ratings)
Positive reviews68.5% of reviews77.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings4.1K — better361
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 10 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size284 MB258 MB
Age rating+417+
DeveloperMantis Tech LLCFavasian Products

Customer experience

Mantis Laser Academy

All ratings4,071 ratings
Positive94.5%
Neutral2.2%
Negative3.3%
Written reviews162 reviews
Positive68.5%
Neutral9.3%
Negative22.2%

Ballistics Report

All ratings352 ratings
Positive80.4%
Neutral4.5%
Negative15.1%
Written reviews54 reviews
Positive77.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative22.2%

User reviews

Mantis Laser Academy

From 4.1K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Great training tool
  • 🚀 Improves marksmanship skills
  • 💡 Makes dry fire practice enjoyable
  • 🚀 Saves money on ammunition
  • 👍 Provides helpful feedback and scoring

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Inconsistent target detection and shot recognition
  • 🐛 Lighting sensitivity issues
  • 🐛 App crashes and bugs
  • 🐛 Calibration process is clunky
  • 🐛 Audio issues with tutorials and sound effects

Ballistics Report

From 361 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Great for tracking progress
  • 👍 Helps improve accuracy
  • 👍 Good for beginners and advanced users
  • 👍 Monthly challenges are fun
  • 👍 Excellent developer support

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Calibration issues
  • 🐛 App gets stuck
  • 🐛 Targets don't print
  • 🐛 Requires purchase to activate
  • 🐛 Missing caliber options

Bugs and requests

Mantis Laser Academy

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • App crashes during Pistol Marksmanship course
  • Inability to add firearms and view history
  • Calibration tool obstructs view of crosshairs
  • Tripod instability causes false readings
  • Sound not working unless headphones are connected

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add ability to customize drills and courses
  • Integrate with Mantis X app for more comprehensive training
  • Implement daily shot count tracking
  • Allow manual entry of firearm settings
  • Add more training modes and game-like features

Ballistics Report

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Target scan gets stuck in calibration
  • App gets stuck in calibration
  • Targets don't print
  • Missing uncommon caliber options

Requested features

1 request
  • Add "miss" recordings

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Mantis Laser Academy

One-time10
  • Open Shooting - Multi-target$4.99
  • Shot From Guard/Low Ready$4.99
  • Bullseye - 10 Shot$4.99
Show 7 more
  • Compressed Surprise Break$4.99
  • Holster Draw - Par Timed$4.99
  • Holster Draw$4.99
  • Multiple Shots and Targets$4.99
  • Close Contact from Holster$4.99
  • Hunt$4.99
  • Lifetime Membership$49.99
9 purchases

Ballistics Report

Subscriptions7
  • Monthly2 variants$10.991 Month
  • Limited Time Offer: Monthly3 Months trial$10.991 Month
  • Limited Annual$24.991 Year
Show 4 more
  • Limited Time Offer: Annual$39.991 Year
  • Limited Time Free Offer2 Months trial$39.991 Year
  • Annual1 Month trial$39.991 Year
  • Unlimited Semi-Annual14 Days trial$39.996 Months
One-time2
  • Triple Up$0.99
  • Starter Pack$10.99

Questions

Is Mantis Laser Academy free?
Mantis Laser Academy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Ballistics Report free?
Ballistics Report is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Mantis Laser Academy or Ballistics Report?
Mantis Laser Academy is rated higher. Mantis Laser Academy averages 4.7 out of 5 from 4.1K ratings, while Ballistics Report averages 4.2 from 361 ratings.
Do Mantis Laser Academy or Ballistics Report have ads?
Neither Mantis Laser Academy nor Ballistics Report shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Mantis Laser Academy or Ballistics Report?
Mantis Laser Academy ships an update every 3 weeks, and Ballistics Report every 10 days. Most recently, Mantis Laser Academy was updated on November 3, 2026 and Ballistics Report on November 3, 2026.

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