Comparison

Side Out vs Pickle Pointer

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

Head to head
About

Side Out

Effortlessly track pickleball scores directly from your Apple Watch with intuitive swipe gestures. This app manages serving order, player positions, and game statistics, allowing you to focus on playing. An optional companion scoreboard can be used on your iPhone or iPad for spectators.

Highlights
  • Hands-free Apple Watch scoring
  • Automatic serving order tracking
  • Companion iPhone/iPad scoreboard
  • Multiple game and scoring formats
  • Player profiles and performance tracking
  • Match history and stats
  • HealthKit integration
Features
Read full description

Track Pickleball scores hands-free on your Apple Watch. Simple swipes keep score while you play—no phone fumbling. See scores, serving order, and player positions at a glance. PERFECT FOR APPLE WATCH • Swipe up/down to score points—keep your phone in your bag • Automatic serving order tracking (no mental math!) • Green indicator shows current server and service box (1 or 2) • Undo/redo with simple swipes—fix mistakes instantly • Works independently on Watch—no iPhone needed during play SMART SCORING FEATURES • Doubles & Singles support • Multiple games per match tracking • Customizable winning score (with win-by-2 rule) • Auto-save & crash recovery—never lose your game • Player profiles to track performance over time • Side-out, Rally, and Simple scoring formats COMPANION SCOREBOARD • Use your iPhone/iPad as a live scoreboard for spectators • Voice announcements in proper Pickleball format (4-2-1) • Perfect for tournaments and casual play • Share scores with nearby players via Bluetooth MATCH HISTORY & STATS • Review past games and performance • Track wins/losses against opponents • iCloud sync across all your devices • HealthKit integration logs workouts automatically Whether you're playing casual rec games or competitive tournaments, Side Out makes scorekeeping effortless so you can focus on your game.

About

Pickle Pointer

Features
Read full description

Pickle Pointer lets you keep the score of a pickle ball match using your phone or watch. Spectators can see scores of ongoing matches in real-time. It can be used in stand-alone mode or with the Bracket Ace tournament app. Using Pickle Pointer with the Bracket Ace tournament software unlocks the power of the app. Scan a QR code from Bracket Ace to set up a match on Pickle Pointer. When the match finishes, Bracket Ace automatically updates the tournament brackets.

Screenshots

Side Out4 screens
Pickle Pointer1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Side Out at fortnightly against Pickle Pointer's every 11 months. Pickle Pointer's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Side Out ships an update fortnightly, Pickle Pointer every 11 months. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Side Out versus Pickle Pointer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSide OutPickle Pointer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (82 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews90.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings82 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 11 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer205L StudioSoftCP Inc.

Bugs and requests

Side Out

Reported bugs

13 issues
  • App on watch randomly closes and deletes match
  • Server switching courts not working
  • Undo is sometimes buggy
  • Display hangs occasionally
  • Not properly syncing app data from iPhone to watch
Show 8 more
  • Unable to begin a game on iPhone app
  • Unable to edit player data on iPhone app
  • Paid app froze and won't reinstall
  • Purchased app not on phone
  • App freezes during use
  • Accidentally awarding final point goes to 'Finish' screen
  • SE watch doesn't wake right away
  • Creating multiple Apple workouts when changing teams

Requested features

38 requests
  • Tennis app or section
  • Set up on phone, control on watch
  • In-game timer
  • Disable Watch crown rotation
  • Microphone control for player names
Show 33 more
  • Long press to replace names
  • Default setup option
  • Win/loss summary for all players
  • Change background color (black/white)
  • Use app with workout app for display priority
  • Save matches by sessions
  • Flip player view
  • Rally score option with 2 services
  • Archive feature
  • Stats against added players
  • Landscape mode for players
  • Add 'Myself' to either team
  • Exit and save option
  • Share scoreboard to another iPad
  • Games won under each player
  • Heart rate on Apple Watch version
  • Donation option
  • Play again with same team members
  • Disable crown for scoring
  • Error override feature
  • Delete players
  • Sync code for other players' watches
  • Quick start with option to add myself
  • Add players after QuickStart
  • Coin toss option
  • Time out option with timer
  • Save data to cloud and export
  • Track player errors
  • Track skinny/regular singles games
  • Program team side switching frequency
  • Summarize games played or export data
  • Confirmation or undo at end of game
  • Consolidate multiple Apple workouts

Pickle Pointer

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Side Out

No in-app purchases

None

Pickle Pointer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Side Out free?
Side Out is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Pickle Pointer free?
Pickle Pointer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Side Out or Pickle Pointer have ads?
Neither Side Out nor Pickle Pointer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Side Out or Pickle Pointer?
Side Out ships an update fortnightly, and Pickle Pointer every 11 months. Most recently, Side Out was updated on September 28, 2026 and Pickle Pointer on September 20, 2026.

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