Comparison

MiniXL vs Collections Database

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

Head to head
About

MiniXL

Create calculation sheets with a simple two-column interface for labels and numbers/formulas. Synchronize your work across devices via iCloud and import/export data as CSV. Access a wide range of mathematical and scientific functions directly from a keyboard extension.

Highlights
  • Two-column table for labels and numbers/formulas
  • iCloud synchronization across devices
  • CSV import and export
  • Keyboard extension with functions
  • Rational fraction display for results
  • Classical and scientific functions
Features
Read full description

Easily create calculation sheets: it is much more simple to use MiniXL than a calculator! Key features: - Two columns table that you use like a regular spreadsheet. - First column is dedicated to labels, second column is dedicated to numbers and formulas. - Your spreadsheets are stored like documents that are synchronized through iCloud among all you devices. - Import and export calculation sheets as CSV documents. - Display calculation result as rational fraction. - MiniXL includes all classical and scientific function, directly accessible from its keyboard extension. - Functions available: * Add, example: "2+3 = 5" * Subtract and negate, example: "-3-2 = -5" * Multiply, example: "3*2 = 6" * Divide, example: "12/3 = 4" * Use parenthesis to define order of operations, example: "(2+3/2)/(12*3+1) * Exponentiation, example: "3**2 = 9" * Modulus of a value, example: "10**3 = 1" * Factorial, example: "5! = 120" * Exponentiation, example: "pow(2,3) = 8" * Square root, example: "sqrt(9) = 3" * Cubic root, example: "cuberoot(27) = 3" * Nth root, example: "nthroot(27,3) = 3" * Constants, example: "pi, e, phi" * Logarithmic functions, example: "log(), ln(), exp()" * Trigonometric functions, example: "sin(), cos(), tan(), asin(), acos(), atan(), sinh(), cosh(), tanh(), versin(), vercosin(), coversin(), covercosin()" * Statistic functions, example: "average(), median(), stddev()"

About

Collections Database

Organize anything with a personal database app. It offers over 20 field types, customizable layouts, and pre-built templates for common uses like books or expenses. Advanced features and iCloud sync are available.

Highlights
  • 20+ field types (text, number, picture, barcode, etc.)
  • Customizable fields and display styles
  • Pre-built templates (books, contacts, expenses, etc.)
  • Organize with collections and subcollections
  • Password, Face ID, and Touch ID protection
  • iCloud synchronization across devices
  • Advanced fields and calculations (Pro version)
Features
Read full description

Collections is a personal database app to organize anything. 1. A field for every use Collections supports over 20+ field types: • Text, Number • Boolean • Picture • Select • Email, URL, Phone • Password • Date, Time • Color • Barcode And with the Pro version you can use even more advanced fields. • Document reference - Link documents together • Group - Add multiple values for a field • Formula - Create a formula for calculated values. Powerful formula editor with full support to math functions like SUM, AVG • Sources - Import documents from external APIs with Javascript 2. Customizable • Add and reorder fields • Add a separator between fields to better visualize them • Fields have different display styles like primary, secondary, thumbnail • Filter and sort data 3. Templates Collections includes basic templates to get started: • Books • Contacts • Expenses • Subscriptions • Credentials • Inventory • School 5. Advanced management Collections has different tools to help you creating the data model. SUBCOLLECTIONS Organize data into collections and subcollections. Simply said, they are like folders. LISTS A list contains items used in documents and it's very flexible. It could represent a Genre for a book or a Status like 'Available', 'Out of stock' for an object in the inventory. 6. Security • Protect collections using a password, Face ID or Touch ID • Sensitive data such as passwords are encrypted by default 7. iCloud Sync Data is synced automatically between devices through iCloud. 8. Apple's Shortcuts support Expand the app capabilities with Apple's Shortcuts support. 9. Pro version features • Add unlimited documents (free version is limited to 100 documents) • Add files to documents • Add advanced fields • Views • Grid • Use Summary to perform calculations across documents

Screenshots

MiniXL3 screens
Collections Database4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Collections Database at 4.6 against MiniXL's 3.8. Collections Database also leads on ratings volume (190 vs 4) and review sentiment (87% vs 67%). MiniXL's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and update cadence (every 3 days vs fortnightly). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Collections Database sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. MiniXL asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Collections Database holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Collections Database has 190 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of MiniXL's written reviews are positive against 87% of Collections Database's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MiniXL ships an update every 3 days, Collections Database fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
MiniXL versus Collections Database: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMiniXLCollections Database
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (4 ratings)4.6 (190 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews87.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings4190 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB25 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMathieu MorgenszternMatteo D'Ignazio

Customer experience

MiniXL

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

Collections Database

All ratings187 ratings
Positive90.9%
Neutral3.2%
Negative5.9%
Written reviews317 reviews
Positive87.1%
Neutral5.4%
Negative7.6%

Bugs and requests

MiniXL

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Collections Database

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Keyboard issues when using search
  • Inconsistent behavior between iOS and macOS versions

Requested features

4 requests
  • Collaborative features for sharing databases
  • More advanced reporting and visualization options
  • Improved import/export functionality
  • Ability to customize the appearance and layout

In-app purchases

None

MiniXL

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Collections Database

One-time3
  • Collections Ultra (Upgrade)$1.99
  • Collections Pro$7.99
  • Collections Ultra$9.99

Questions

Is MiniXL free?
MiniXL is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Collections Database free?
Collections Database is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, MiniXL or Collections Database?
Collections Database is rated higher. MiniXL averages 3.8 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Collections Database averages 4.6 from 190 ratings.
Do MiniXL or Collections Database have ads?
Neither MiniXL nor Collections Database shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MiniXL or Collections Database?
MiniXL ships an update every 3 days, and Collections Database fortnightly. Most recently, MiniXL was updated on October 14, 2026 and Collections Database on October 16, 2026.

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