Comparison

Minimal Calc vs ColonyIQ

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

Head to head
About

Minimal Calc

Features
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The minimal calc specialize in users who do not use special features, and are satisfied with simple design and minimal functions. [Features] ・12-digits display ・Percent calculation ・Number negation ・Delete key

About

ColonyIQ

Features
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ColonyIQ is the most comprehensive beekeeping management app built specifically for queen breeders, serious hobbyists, and commercial operations. Whether you're running a small apiary or managing hundreds of colonies across multiple locations, ColonyIQ gives you the tools to track, analyze, and improve every aspect of your operation from egg to laying queen. Colony and Queen Management Keep detailed records for every colony and queen in your operation. Log inspections with hive health scores, varroa mite counts, brood pattern ratings, temperament, honey stores, and more. Attach photos directly to colonies, queens, inspections, and calendar events so you always know exactly which hive is which even when you're suited up in the field. Track each queen's lineage, genetics, emergence date, instrumental insemination records, and performance history. Replace queens and automatically maintain bidirectional links between colonies and their queens. Queen Rearing Calendar ColonyIQ's built-in queen rearing timeline calculator automatically generates a step-by-step schedule from your graft date including capping dates, emergence, mating flights, and the first day queens can be instrumentally inseminated, accurately set to Day 7-10, the real-world window used by professional II breeders. Set custom reminders for key milestones and never miss a critical rearing step again. Instrumental Insemination Tracking Designed by beekeepers for II breeders, ColonyIQ tracks every insemination event with donor drone batch data, date, semen source, techniques used, and outcomes. BLUP genetic scoring lets you quantify performance traits across generations and identify your best breeding stock. The pedigree viewer visualizes multi-generation lineage at a glance. Mite Management and Treatment Records Log alcohol wash and sugar roll mite counts with colony-level trending over time. Record every treatment including oxalic acid vaporization, ApiLife VAR, MAQS, Apistan, and any custom method with dosage, application dates, and efficacy notes. The beekeeping calendar includes pre-built treatment regiment templates with automatic follow-up reminders. NFC Smart Tags Tap any NFC sticker to instantly open the colony, queen, or apiary record it's linked to with no searching and no scrolling. Write new tags directly from within the app, reassign them in seconds, and manage your entire tag inventory from the NFC Manager dashboard. NFC scanning works even when the app is fully closed on both iOS and Android. Apiaries and Locations Organize your colonies by apiary with custom location names, GPS coordinates, and notes. Move colonies between locations and maintain a full movement history. Attach photos to apiary locations for easy identification in the field. Harvests and Production Tracking Record honey, wax, pollen, and propolis harvests with weights, grades, and notes. Track production per colony over time to identify your most productive genetics. Beekeeping Calendar and Reminders A full-featured beekeeping calendar lets you schedule inspections, treatments, queen rearing cycles, drone production batches, swarm prevention checks, and custom events. Set reminder notifications so nothing falls through the cracks during your busiest season. Vaccination and Biocontrol Records Track American Foulbrood vaccination events, Oxalic Acid Extended Release treatments using the Randy Oliver and Aluen Cap method, and any other biocontrol treatments with complete records for each colony. Offline Ready ColonyIQ is designed to work in remote apiaries with no cell service. Records sync automatically when you return to connectivity so you never lose data from a day in the field. Free and Pro Plans Get started free with core colony and queen tracking. Upgrade to ColonyIQ Pro for unlimited colonies, advanced genetics scoring, NFC tag support, full calendar features, and priority support. Subscribe directly through the app or at colonyiq.app.

Screenshots

Minimal Calc2 screens
ColonyIQ4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: ColonyIQ at none against Minimal Calc's shown. ColonyIQ also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs monthly). Minimal Calc's advantage is iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.0). On price, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Minimal Calc ships an update monthly, ColonyIQ fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences Β· 3 level
Minimal Calc versus ColonyIQ: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMinimal CalcColonyIQ
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyMonthlyFortnightly β€” better
AdsYesNo β€” better
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod β€” betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS14.0 β€” better16.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size6 MB39 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFUKUKAWA LABJASON ALLEN BRAGG

In-app purchases

None

Minimal Calc

No in-app purchases

None

ColonyIQ

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Minimal Calc free?
Minimal Calc is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ColonyIQ free?
ColonyIQ is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Minimal Calc or ColonyIQ have ads?
Minimal Calc shows ads; ColonyIQ does not.
Which is updated more often, Minimal Calc or ColonyIQ?
Minimal Calc ships an update monthly, and ColonyIQ fortnightly. Most recently, Minimal Calc was updated on October 27, 2026 and ColonyIQ on October 14, 2026.

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