Comparison

CSV Lite vs CSV Tools

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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)

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

CSV Lite4 screens
CSV Tools3 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. CSV Tools sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. CSV Lite asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
CSV Lite versus CSV Tools: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCSV LiteCSV Tools
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.5 (2 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews36.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeks — betterEvery 19 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better13.1
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOzymandiasTomas Parizek

Customer experience

CSV Lite

All ratings2 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews25 reviews
Positive36.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative64.0%

CSV Tools

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

CSV Lite

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

CSV Tools

One-time1
  • Shortcuts support$2.99

Questions

Is CSV Lite free?
CSV Lite is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is CSV Tools free?
CSV Tools is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, CSV Lite or CSV Tools?
CSV Tools is rated higher. CSV Lite averages 1.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while CSV Tools averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do CSV Lite or CSV Tools have ads?
Neither CSV Lite nor CSV Tools shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CSV Lite or CSV Tools?
CSV Lite ships an update every 4 weeks, and CSV Tools every 19 months. Most recently, CSV Lite was updated on September 12, 2026 and CSV Tools on September 14, 2026.

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