# Collections Database vs Truly Simple Timeline

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Collections Database at 87% against Truly Simple Timeline's 50%. Collections Database also leads on rating (4.6 vs 4.3) and ratings volume (187 vs 4). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Collections Database sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and Truly Simple Timeline sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Collections Database holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Collections Database has 187 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 87% of Collections Database's written reviews are positive against 50% of Truly Simple Timeline's.

Collections Database ships an update fortnightly, Truly Simple Timeline every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Collections Database | Truly Simple Timeline |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (187 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/collections-database/id1568395334/reviews)** | [4.3 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/truly-simple-timeline/id6747322531/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **187** | 4 |
| Positive reviews | **87.3% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Every 11 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 25 MB | 2 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Matteo D'Ignazio](https://appshunter.io/developer/634863524) | [Colin Wright](https://appshunter.io/developer/1814828139) |

## What reviewers say

### Collections Database

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/collections-database/id1568395334)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Collections Ultra (Upgrade) | $1.99 | one-time |
| Collections Pro | $7.99 | one-time |
| Collections Ultra | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

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


### Truly Simple Timeline

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/truly-simple-timeline/id6747322531)

Build and visualize narrative arcs, story beats, and character involvement across novels or any project. Its drag-and-drop interface supports various event types and date spans, with cross-device functionality for easy planning and adjustments.

**Highlights:** Drag-and-drop interface, Narrative arc and story beat tracking, Single-date and duration events, BC/AD date support, Vertical and horizontal modes, Cross-device functionality

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlock Pro | $4.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Collections Database free?

Collections Database is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Truly Simple Timeline free?

Truly Simple Timeline is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Collections Database or Truly Simple Timeline?

Collections Database is rated higher. Collections Database averages 4.6 out of 5 from 187 ratings, while Truly Simple Timeline averages 4.3 from 4 ratings.

### Do Collections Database or Truly Simple Timeline have ads?

Neither Collections Database nor Truly Simple Timeline shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Collections Database or Truly Simple Timeline?

Collections Database ships an update fortnightly, and Truly Simple Timeline every 11 days. Most recently, Collections Database was updated on September 22, 2026 and Truly Simple Timeline on September 8, 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.*