# Match Keeper vs Ref

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Ref at none against Match Keeper's 2. Match Keeper's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 2 weeks) and iOS requirement (16.4 vs 26.4). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Match Keeper sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.00 per month. Ref asks for nothing beyond the download.

Match Keeper ships an update every 3 days, Ref every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Match Keeper | Ref |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (15 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/match-keeper/id1558022379/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **15** | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 days** | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | Freemium | — |
| Size | 55 MB | 8 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.4** | 26.4 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Lucatoni, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1553528483) | [SAMUEL LANE MADDOCK](https://appshunter.io/developer/1663206873) |

## What reviewers say

### Match Keeper

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/match-keeper/id1558022379)

This app simplifies soccer match management for coaches, referees, and parents. It offers a comprehensive timer, player tracking, custom format creation, and a penalty shootout tracker. Easily manage all aspects of a game from start to finish.

**Highlights:** Match timer with start, pause, rewind, and whistle, Player and team management with stats, Customizable match formats, Penalty shootout tracker, Birth year to age group calculator, Score tracking and adjustments

**Features:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Keeper Premium Monthly | $1.00 | per month |
| Keeper Premium Annual | $6.00 | per year |


### Ref

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ref-vision/id6737510556)

**Features:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Match Keeper free?

Match Keeper is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Ref free?

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

### Do Match Keeper or Ref have ads?

Neither Match Keeper nor Ref shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Match Keeper or Ref?

Match Keeper ships an update every 3 days, and Ref every 2 weeks. Most recently, Match Keeper was updated on October 10, 2026 and Ref on September 24, 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.*