CSV Lite vs CSV Tools
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
CSV Lite
Access and organize your data offline with this utility app. Search, sort, and visualize your collections from CSV files imported from various sources. Ideal for managing libraries, databases, or any list on the go.
- Offline data access
- Search and sort functionality
- Import CSV files from cloud storage
- Support for links and images
- Customizable data visualization
- Handles multiple files and languages
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Do you have a database, library or collection which you need to use on-the-go, even when you don't have web access? If you do, this is the application for you. Using CSV Lite you can easily search, sort and look through your collections when away from your computer. So start carrying your DVD and CD library, your book collection, your wine testing notes, or any other database, library or list with you! CSV Lite works by reading CSV files, a file format which almost all databases and applications like Excel, Filemaker, Access, Bento and others can export to. To get the CSV files on your iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch, you can import them from the local 'Files' app and all the cloud storage it supports, from attachments, directly from the internet, and other ways. And if you download the files directly from internet, it is trivial to download again in case the file has been updated (manually or at regular scheduled intervals). Once read, the app allows for highly customised ways of how to look at the data. Note that CSV Lite does not allow editing of your database; it is intended to be a versatile app for searching and visualising your data. See http://csvtouch.wordpress.com for more information and screenshots. Note that CSV Lite is a restricted version of the app CSV Touch, where you are limited to a maximum of 150 items shown at a time, whereas CSV Touch has no such restrictions. FEATURES - Download CSV files from almost anywhere - Fast search and sorting of items - Support for links in your data (click web address to open Safari, phone number to make a call, email address to open Mail) - Support for showing pictures from the web inside the application (requires internet connection) - Handles any number of files - Custom CSS support for visualising single items - Supports ",", ";", "|", space, or tab as column separator - Handles all languages, including Japanese (requires UTF8 encoding; other encodings might also work)
CSV Tools
Easily work with CSV files by entering text or loading from storage. Extract specific values, headers, and sheet dimensions. Integrate with automated workflows for advanced functionality.
- Read CSV data directly or from files
- Get values by row/column index or name
- Extract headers and sheet size
- Copy results to clipboard
- Shortcut app integration
- Local data processing for privacy
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Work easily with CSV files! Enter CSV directly as a text, or load a file from the Files app. Supported actions: - Get a value by row and column index/name - Get headers - Get header by index - Get sheet size (number of rows and columns) The action result can be copied to the clipboard. CSV Tools is compatible with the Shortcut app, thus you can integrate it into any automated workflow. Shortcuts integration is a premium feature requiring an in-app purchase. I think your privacy is very important, thus all the CSV file processing is done locally on your phone. Your CSVs never leave your phone. If you have any issues or questions, do not hesitate to contact me via email address: csvtools@tomasparizek.com
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: CSV Tools at 100% against CSV Lite's 36%. CSV Tools also leads on rating (5.0 vs 1.5). CSV Lite's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 19 months). On price, ratings volume, ads 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
Both are free to download. CSV Tools sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. CSV Lite asks for nothing beyond the download.
CSV Tools holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 1.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 1 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 36% of CSV Lite's written reviews are positive against 100% of CSV Tools's.
CSV Lite ships an update every 4 weeks, CSV Tools every 19 months. The most recent releases landed on September 12, 2026 and September 14, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | CSV Lite | CSV Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 1.5 (2 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 36.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 2 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 weeks — better | Every 19 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 13.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 2 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Ozymandias | Tomas Parizek |
Customer experience
CSV Lite
CSV Tools
In-app purchases
CSV Lite
No in-app purchases
CSV Tools
- Shortcuts support$2.99
Questions
Is CSV Lite free?
Is CSV Tools free?
Which has better reviews, CSV Lite or CSV Tools?
Do CSV Lite or CSV Tools have ads?
Which is updated more often, CSV Lite or CSV Tools?
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