Comparison

Collections Database vs Formbook

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

Head to head
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

About

Formbook

This app allows you to create structured notes that function like database forms, saving you time and providing instant chart statistics. It supports collaboration, cross-device synchronization, and AI-powered form building with numerous field types.

Highlights
  • Form-based note creation
  • Instant chart statistics
  • Notebook sharing for collaboration
  • AI-powered automated form builder
  • 30+ form field types
  • Cross-device synchronization
  • Export to PDF and CSV
Read full description

Formbook: the revolutionary personal database app. Formbook is a new generation database app in which you create form based notes to easily store information. Formbook is the perfect app for structured information note taking. With Formbook, notes behave like database forms: create a notebook and define the fields you need to store your information. Form based notes have amazing benefits: - Gain a huge amount of time while taking notes as you just need to fill in form fields. - Instantly obtain chart stats on the data contained in your notebooks. - Share notebooks for collaboration with other Formbook users. Here are some usage examples. Create notebooks to: - Keep track of your progress in sport training. - Remember your favorite restaurants in places you visit. - Store your recipes. - Follow to do tasks. - Prepare a trip by describing the places to visit. - Keep track of any object inventory (with barcode reader). Formbook comes with a powerful dashboard feature that visually displays charts on your data. Personalize your charts and analyse data in detail. Formbook is cross device: notes are automatically synchronized on your iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch via iCloud. Formbook is also available on your Apple Watch: access your notes and notebooks directly from you Apple Watch. Formbook is powered by AI: save time with the new automated form builder. Enter your notebook name and Formbook infers the database fields. Choose among 30 form field types when conceiving your notebook structure: - Short text field - Long text field - Secret text field revealed by FaceID or TouchID - Code text field (programming languages) - Number - Currency - Stepper (number) - Slider (number) - Calculation (using the data from other fields) - Yes/No button - Date and Time fields - Duration - Images and photos - List of elements (with optional checkboxes) - List of tags - Rating (with stars) - Email (with compose button) - Address (with map access) - Phone number (with compose button) - URL (with browse button) - Barcode and QR code (with scan button) - Current location (latitude, longitude, address) Export your notes as PDF file and CSV file to use the data with spreadsheet apps.

Screenshots

Collections Database4 screens
Formbook4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Formbook at every 4 days against Collections Database's fortnightly. Collections Database's advantage is ratings volume (187 vs 26) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.6). 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. Collections Database sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and Formbook sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Collections Database against 4.5 for Formbook. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Collections Database has 187 ratings behind it against 26, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 87% of Collections Database's written reviews are positive against 80% of Formbook's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Collections Database ships an update fortnightly, Formbook every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and August 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Collections Database versus Formbook: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCollections DatabaseFormbook
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (187 ratings) — better4.5 (26 ratings)
Positive reviews87.3% of reviews — better80.3% of reviews
Number of ratings187 — better26
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, MaciPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size25 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMatteo D'IgnazioMathieu Morgensztern

Customer experience

Collections Database

All ratings187 ratings
Positive90.9%
Neutral3.2%
Negative5.9%
Written reviews315 reviews
Positive87.3%
Neutral5.1%
Negative7.6%

Formbook

All ratings26 ratings
Positive88.5%
Neutral11.5%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews132 reviews
Positive80.3%
Neutral14.4%
Negative5.3%

User reviews

Collections Database

From 187 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Flexible and customizable
  • 🚀 Powerful and feature-rich
  • 💡 Excellent integration with Apple ecosystem
  • 🔒 Secure and private data storage
  • 💰 Good value for money

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes and sync issues
  • 📚 Lacking comprehensive documentation
  • 🔍 Limited search and filtering capabilities
  • 🔀 Difficulty moving/copying data between collections

Formbook

From 26 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Intuitive and easy-to-use interface
  • 🔄 Seamless cross-device synchronization
  • 💰 One-time purchase with no subscription
  • 🎨 Clean, native Apple design aesthetic
  • 📊 Flexible field types and customization

Room to improve

  • 🔍 Limited search functionality (no field-specific search)
  • 🐛 Frequent crashes on macOS
  • ⚠️ Slow performance with large datasets
  • 📋 No table/spreadsheet view option
  • 🔐 Lack of password protection

Bugs and 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

Formbook

Reported bugs

12 issues
  • Crashes on macOS Ventura and newer
  • Crashes when validating fields in new notes
  • Export functionality issues with CSV and PDF
  • Barcode field scans but cannot search by barcode
  • Star rating field too sensitive to accidental changes
Show 7 more
  • Performance degradation with photos in notes
  • Text field labels not visible in note panel
  • Syncing issues between devices
  • Import duplicates data instead of updating
  • Occasional freezing and slowness
  • Watch app syncing problems
  • In-app purchase requires repurchase after updates

Requested features

30 requests
  • Field-specific search functionality
  • Advanced multi-criteria filtering
  • Table/spreadsheet view for data
  • Password/biometric app protection
  • Rich text formatting (bold, italic, colors)
Show 25 more
  • File attachment support (PDFs, documents)
  • Drag-and-drop image insertion
  • Move notes between notebooks
  • Duplicate notebook without content
  • Advanced calculated fields with date math
  • Print functionality for records and lists
  • Customizable PDF export templates
  • Folder organization for notebooks
  • Read-only mode for records
  • Barcode scanning search capability
  • Calendar integration
  • Reminder/alert field with notifications
  • Multiple image support per field
  • Keyboard shortcuts/Shortcuts app integration
  • Collaborative sharing between users
  • Template creation for notebooks
  • Undo/backup functionality
  • Batch operations (edit, delete multiple)
  • Tag autocomplete with global tag list
  • Sub-tags support
  • Column/card view options
  • Adjustable font sizes
  • Home button for quick navigation
  • Bulk import with update option
  • Android version

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Collections Database

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

Formbook

One-time2
  • Notebook sharing$3.99
  • Additional fields pack$3.99

Questions

Is Collections Database free?
Collections Database is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Formbook free?
Formbook is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Collections Database or Formbook?
Collections Database is rated higher. Collections Database averages 4.6 out of 5 from 187 ratings, while Formbook averages 4.5 from 26 ratings.
Do Collections Database or Formbook have ads?
Neither Collections Database nor Formbook shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Collections Database or Formbook?
Collections Database ships an update fortnightly, and Formbook every 4 days. Most recently, Collections Database was updated on September 22, 2026 and Formbook on August 17, 2026.

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