# Startbook vs Hardware+Tools ME

The clearest difference is ads: Startbook at none against Hardware+Tools ME's shown. Hardware+Tools ME's advantage is iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.4). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Startbook | Hardware+Tools ME |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Size | 69 MB | 81 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | **14.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [STARTBOOK LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1537989143) | [MESSE FRANKFURT MIDDLE EAST GMBH](https://appshunter.io/developer/1574333217) |

## What reviewers say

### Startbook

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/startbook/id1537989141)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Hardware+Tools ME

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hardware-plus-tools-me/id1575736036)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Startbook free?

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

### Is Hardware+Tools ME free?

Hardware+Tools ME is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Startbook or Hardware+Tools ME have ads?

Hardware+Tools ME shows ads; Startbook does not.

### Which is updated more often, Startbook or Hardware+Tools ME?

Startbook ships an update every 3 weeks, and Hardware+Tools ME every 3 weeks. Most recently, Startbook was updated on October 3, 2026 and Hardware+Tools ME on October 18, 2026.

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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.*