Comparison

Ballistic vs Arken Optics

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

Head to head
About

Ballistic

This advanced ballistics calculator provides precise trajectory calculations for serious shooters. It accounts for atmospheric conditions, Coriolis effect, and gyroscopic spin, offering a comprehensive tool for hunting and range practice with extensive projectile data and a rangefinder.

Highlights
  • Advanced ballistics calculations
  • Atmospheric condition adjustments
  • Coriolis effect and gyroscopic spin
  • Extensive projectile and load library
  • Rangefinder and range log
  • Heads-up display
  • 3D trajectory imaging
Features
Read full description

Features & Functionality Modernized User Interface • Clean, contemporary design • Improved visual hierarchy • Faster access to critical shooting data • More intuitive navigation and setup process • Optimized for both novice and experienced shooters Enhanced Data Visualization • Improved readability of charts and shot data • Cleaner presentation of trajectory information • Better organization of environmental and ballistic inputs • Easier interpretation under field conditions Unified HUD & DOPE Chart Experience • HUD Screen and DOPE Chart combined into a single interactive workspace • Real-time trajectory information displayed alongside adjustment data • Environmental updates, elevation, and wind corrections available in one location • Reduced need to toggle between screens Streamlined Navigation • Consolidated data screens • Reduced taps to access critical information • Faster profile management • Improved organization of rifles, loads, and favorites More Personalized Experience • Easier access to saved rifle profiles • Improved load management • Favorites-based menus • Faster retrieval of frequently used configurations

About

Arken Optics

This utility app connects to Arken Optics devices via WiFi, allowing real-time screen viewing, file management, and device function adjustments. It also offers video editing capabilities like cropping and slow-motion, alongside reticle calibration and software updates.

Highlights
  • Real-time device screen mirroring
  • View, download, and share device files
  • Device function menu settings
  • Reticle zero calibration
  • Online device software upgrades
  • Video editing (cropping, synthesis, slow-motion)
Features
Read full description

Arken Optics APP is a free mobile application, and can connect to all devices under the Arken Optics brand through WiFi. After the connection is successful, you can perform the following operations through the Arken Optics APP: 1. You can see the screen of the device synchronously in real time 2. You can view the video files of the device online, and you can download the device files to the mobile phone and share them to other platforms 3. You can set the device function menu 4. You can quickly perform reticle zero calibration on the APP 5. Online device software upgrades can be performed through the APP 6. Video editing functions can be performed on the APP: video cropping, video synthesis, video slow motion

Screenshots

Ballistic4 screens
Arken Optics4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Arken Optics at 3.7 against Ballistic's 1.2. Arken Optics also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 weeks). Ballistic's advantage is review sentiment (48% vs 20%) and ratings volume (96 vs 6). On price, 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. Ballistic sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Arken Optics asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Arken Optics holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 1.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ballistic has 96 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 48% of Ballistic's written reviews are positive against 20% of Arken Optics's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Ballistic ships an update every 6 weeks, Arken Optics every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 10, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Ballistic versus Arken Optics: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBallisticArken Optics
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.2 (96 ratings)3.7 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews47.7% of reviews — better20.0% of reviews
Number of ratings96 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS1510.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size24 MB22 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperFederal Premium AmmunitionHunan Pangu Optical Instruments Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

Customer experience

Ballistic

All ratings96 ratings
Positive4.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative95.8%
Written reviews377 reviews
Positive47.7%
Neutral4.2%
Negative48.0%

Arken Optics

All ratings6 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive20.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative80.0%

Bugs and requests

Ballistic

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Windage values change unexpectedly when adjusting max range
  • Favorites and target data being lost or inaccessible
  • App crashing when trying to use certain features

Requested features

6 requests
  • Add support for newer calibers and loads
  • Improve user interface and navigation
  • Implement better data syncing and backup options
  • Provide more detailed instructions and tutorials
  • Add support for metric units
Show 1 more
  • Integrate with external devices (e.g., Kestrel)

Arken Optics

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Ballistic

One-time1
  • Kestrel LiNK$9.99
None

Arken Optics

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Ballistic free?
Ballistic is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Arken Optics free?
Arken Optics is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Ballistic or Arken Optics?
Arken Optics is rated higher. Ballistic averages 1.2 out of 5 from 96 ratings, while Arken Optics averages 3.7 from 6 ratings.
Do Ballistic or Arken Optics have ads?
Neither Ballistic nor Arken Optics shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Ballistic or Arken Optics?
Ballistic ships an update every 6 weeks, and Arken Optics every 3 weeks. Most recently, Ballistic was updated on November 10, 2026 and Arken Optics on November 3, 2026.

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