Comparison

CSV Tools vs Samurai Search

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

Head to head
About

CSV Tools

Easily work with CSV files by entering text or loading from storage. Extract specific values, headers, and sheet dimensions. Integrate with automated workflows for advanced functionality.

Highlights
  • Read CSV data directly or from files
  • Get values by row/column index or name
  • Extract headers and sheet size
  • Copy results to clipboard
  • Shortcut app integration
  • Local data processing for privacy
Features
Read full description

Work easily with CSV files! Enter CSV directly as a text, or load a file from the Files app. Supported actions: - Get a value by row and column index/name - Get headers - Get header by index - Get sheet size (number of rows and columns) The action result can be copied to the clipboard. CSV Tools is compatible with the Shortcut app, thus you can integrate it into any automated workflow. Shortcuts integration is a premium feature requiring an in-app purchase. I think your privacy is very important, thus all the CSV file processing is done locally on your phone. Your CSVs never leave your phone. If you have any issues or questions, do not hesitate to contact me via email address: csvtools@tomasparizek.com

About

Samurai Search

Efficiently search text and PDF files across your device, iCloud, and external storage. Preview matched files or open them in other applications. Supports advanced search options like regular expressions.

Highlights
  • Search text and PDF files
  • iCloud and external storage support
  • File preview
  • Regular expression support
  • Customizable file types
  • Saved search locations
Read full description

Search your iOS device or iCloud for text, source code, plain text files, and PDFs. Find matches inside files and preview results instantly, or open any matched file in your favourite editing or viewing app. Flexible search options: whole word, case sensitive (all file types), and regular expressions (for text files). Choose which files to include by selecting standard or custom text file types, or by searching filenames that match a pattern. Select where to search from On My iPad, iCloud Drive, or external file providers such as SMB and USB folders. When possible, the app retains saved search selections so you can quickly repeat the same searches later. If you search selected folders in iCloud Drive, matching iCloud files are synced to your device before searching, ensuring fast local results. Searching plain text files is extremely fast and memory efficient. PDF search speed depends on the document content and can be slow. Note also that PDF search may consume large amounts of memory which can cause Samurai Search to crash.

Screenshots

CSV Tools3 screens
Samurai Search4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Samurai Search at none against CSV Tools's 1. Samurai Search also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 19 months) and ratings volume (25 vs 1). CSV Tools's advantage is iOS requirement (13.1 vs 16.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads 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. CSV Tools sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Samurai Search asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for CSV Tools against 5.0 for Samurai Search. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Samurai Search has 25 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CSV Tools ships an update every 19 months, Samurai Search every 5 days. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
CSV Tools versus Samurai Search: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCSV ToolsSamurai Search
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (25 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings125 — better
Update frequencyEvery 19 monthsEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.1 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTomas ParizekMichael Rourke

Customer experience

CSV Tools

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Samurai Search

All ratings25 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

CSV Tools

One-time1
  • Shortcuts support$2.99
None

Samurai Search

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is CSV Tools free?
CSV Tools is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Samurai Search free?
Samurai Search is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, CSV Tools or Samurai Search?
CSV Tools and Samurai Search are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 25 ratings respectively.
Do CSV Tools or Samurai Search have ads?
Neither CSV Tools nor Samurai Search shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CSV Tools or Samurai Search?
CSV Tools ships an update every 19 months, and Samurai Search every 5 days. Most recently, CSV Tools was updated on November 3, 2026 and Samurai Search on November 3, 2026.

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