Comparison

Collections Database vs MDB

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

MDB

Access and view Microsoft Access database files directly on your iPhone. Browse tables, inspect data, and export it to CSV format without needing a desktop application. Ideal for field work and quick data access.

Highlights
  • Open .mdb and .accdb files
  • Browse table names
  • Preview row data
  • Export rows to CSV
  • No ads or subscriptions
Features
Read full description

MDB-Viewer is a lightweight iPhone utility for opening common Microsoft Access database table data on the go. Import .mdb or .accdb files, browse tables, inspect rows, and export loaded rows to CSV when you need a quick view without using a desktop app. Built for operations, field work, support, legacy-system users, and anyone who needs a direct way to open Access database files on iPhone. Key features: - Open .mdb files from the Files app - Browse table names and preview row data - Export loaded rows to CSV - No ads - No subscription Important: MDB-Viewer is an unofficial compatibility utility and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Microsoft. Encrypted databases, forms, reports, macros, and some complex fields may be unsupported. Always verify critical workflows with your primary desktop database tools.

Screenshots

Collections Database4 screens
MDB4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Collections Database at Free against MDB's $3.99. Collections Database also leads on rating (4.6 vs 3.0) and ratings volume (192 vs 1). MDB's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On 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

Collections Database is free to download; MDB costs $3.99 up front. Collections Database sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. MDB asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Collections Database holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Collections Database has 192 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Collections Database ships an update every 8 days, MDB every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Collections Database versus MDB: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCollections DatabaseMDB
PriceFree — better$3.99
Rating4.6 (192 ratings) — better3.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews87.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings192 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 8 days — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size25 MB22 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMatteo D'Ignazio久燕 王

Customer experience

Collections Database

All ratings192 ratings
Positive91.1%
Neutral3.6%
Negative5.2%
Written reviews317 reviews
Positive87.1%
Neutral5.4%
Negative7.6%

MDB

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%

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

MDB

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Collections Database

One-time3
  • Collections Ultra (Upgrade)$1.99
  • Collections Pro$7.99
  • Collections Ultra$9.99
None

MDB

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Collections Database free?
Collections Database is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is MDB free?
MDB costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Collections Database or MDB?
Collections Database is rated higher. Collections Database averages 4.6 out of 5 from 192 ratings, while MDB averages 3.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Collections Database or MDB have ads?
Neither Collections Database nor MDB shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Collections Database or MDB?
Collections Database ships an update every 8 days, and MDB every 3 weeks. Most recently, Collections Database was updated on October 21, 2026 and MDB on October 15, 2026.

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