# Startup Key Combos vs CmdRef

The clearest difference is rating: CmdRef at 4.3 against Startup Key Combos's 3.7. CmdRef also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 7 months) and ratings volume (43 vs 7). Startup Key Combos's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On price and review sentiment there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. CmdRef sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Startup Key Combos asks for nothing beyond the download.

CmdRef holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CmdRef has 43 ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 75% of Startup Key Combos's written reviews are positive against 67% of CmdRef's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Startup Key Combos ships an update every 7 months, CmdRef every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Startup Key Combos | CmdRef |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.7 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/startup-key-combos-istartup/id289281789/reviews) | **[4.3 (43 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cmdref/id956853496/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 7 | **43** |
| Positive reviews | **75.0% of reviews** | 67.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 4 MB | 14 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch, Vision Pro** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Bayhoff Software](https://appshunter.io/developer/289279527) | [Moballo, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/547759592) |

## What reviewers say

### Startup Key Combos

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/startup-key-combos-istartup/id289281789)

This app provides essential key combinations for macOS startup issues and recovery modes. It helps users access different boot options, including fallback recovery for M-series Macs. Additionally, it includes shortcuts for common system actions like sleep, logout, restart, and shutdown.

**Highlights:** macOS startup key combinations, macOS recovery mode access, M-series fallback recovery, Sleep, logout, restart, shutdown shortcuts, Grouped by M-Series and Intel Macs

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### CmdRef

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cmdref/id956853496)

This app serves as an offline, searchable dictionary for Windows Command Prompt (CMD) commands. It's designed as a learning tool for beginners and a quick reference for experts, helping users find commands quickly without needing internet access.

**Highlights:** Offline searchable CMD dictionary, Learning tool for beginners, Quick reference for experts, Clean, modern design, Easy to use and reliable

**Features:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| CmdRef Pro | $0.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Startup Key Combos free?

Startup Key Combos is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is CmdRef free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Startup Key Combos or CmdRef?

CmdRef is rated higher. Startup Key Combos averages 3.7 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while CmdRef averages 4.3 from 43 ratings.

### Do Startup Key Combos or CmdRef have ads?

CmdRef shows ads; Startup Key Combos does not.

### Which is updated more often, Startup Key Combos or CmdRef?

Startup Key Combos ships an update every 7 months, and CmdRef every 2 months. Most recently, Startup Key Combos was updated on October 2, 2026 and CmdRef on October 7, 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.*