Comparison

Ballistic vs Measuring Tape

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

For serious shooters who are serious about their shot!!! ••• The most advanced ballistics calculator on the market ••• Trusted by the best: Armed Forces / Shooting Instructors / Lifelong Marksmen ••• Advanced Precision Ballistics 5 STARS: "I shoot on Team Louisiana Precision Rifles in Tactical rifle matches. Everyone on the team that uses Ballistic has had great results. This program has really been a game changer in the precision rifle world." - Bannon 5 STARS: "I have used this app for my 308 Rem 700 to my 338 Lapua. I have made some fun shots using this app. I have been using it ever since it was an iPhone app. US Marine Approved. Thanks!" - Ob1goose 5 STARS: "I used the data from Ballistic for a cold bore shot at 760 yards and center punched the plate. Sent another right on top of it. Done. No loading hassle or BS, just accuracy!" - Rick Ballistic is a highly-accurate ballistic calculator and range companion. With its advanced capabilities, Ballistic can calculate for atmospheric conditions, Coriolis effect, gyroscopic spin, and more. It's also much more. With a vast library of nearly 5,000 projectiles and factory loads, rangefinder, range log, and head-up display, Ballistic is a complete mobile companion for hunting or at the range. Ballistic's world renowned JBM ballistics engine delivers the gold standard in calculations that other applications compare themselves to. Advanced Edition Features: - iPhone internal barometer supported - Kestrel K5 LiNK / Drop integration (in-app purchase) - An advanced heads-up display for mounted operation - Advanced wind kit configurable for up to 8 wind sources - Bryan Litz' custom G7 ballistic coefficients - 3D Trajectory imaging for visualizing bullet path - Mil-Dot ballistics heads-up display Features: - World renowned JBM ballistics engine for the most precise, accurate calculations in the industry. - Load Library: 5,000 commercial and military projectiles and factory loads from leading manufacturers or specify your own projectile properties. Includes latest commercial data and military coefficients established at Aberdeen Proving Grounds. Also includes Bryan Litz' advanced G7 ballistic coefficients and bullet lengths. - iCloud Sync: Sync your favorites, optics profiles & range log to all of your devices - One-Touch Atmospheric Correction: Instantly adjust your calculations for zero or current atmosphere. Weather updated based on your current location (from a weather service), or enter your own atmospheric values. - Advanced Wind Kit: Powerful tool enabling you to create complex wind configurations for up to eight different wind sources! - Variable (Stepped) BCs: Includes many popular commercial projectiles from select manufacturers, for more precise calculations. - Ballistic Charts: Display a chart of the current projectile including drop, energy, and velocity. Compare wind drift. Compare up to eight projectiles on the same chart. Zoom charts up to 300% and save a full size chart to your photo album. - HUD: Full featured Mil-Dot ballistics head-up display; estimate using on-screen Mil-dot reticle, and see milling holdovers, with easy on-screen adjustment. - Target Log: Keep a journal of all your hunts, shoots, adjustments, points of impact, and scores. Includes group calculator, integrated score log, multiple target types, and camera and GPS support. Generate cold barrel and scoring reports for each rifle. - Angular Acquisition: Aim the device at the target like a remote control, or mount on your weapon to receive real-time angular correction. - Adjustable Units: Elevation and windage output units in inches, centimeters, arcminutes, milliradians, and click values ranging from full click to 1/8 click (or custom click values). - Calculate your own ballistic coefficients based on two chronograph measurements or data from the back of an ammo box. ... and much more!

About

Measuring Tape

Measure the shortest air distance between two points using GPS with high accuracy. Track your progress like a physical tape measure, with distances shown in multiple units. Ideal for outdoor measurements of land, properties, and sports fields.

Highlights
  • GPS-based distance measurement
  • Measures air distance
  • Maximum available accuracy
  • Distances in yards, meters, kilometers, miles
  • Continuous distance counters
  • Direction arrow to starting point
Features
Read full description

This application measures the shortest (air) distance between point A and point B using GPS, with the maximum available accuracy. Distances are displayed in yards, meters, kilometers, and miles. Simply reset the ruler at point A and watch the distance counters increase as you move toward point B—just like using a real tape measure or ruler. Primary uses for approximate sizing and measuring include: Land, grounds, and properties Real estate Golf course yardage Sports facilities and tracks Air distance Other outdoor measurements The application is intended for outdoor use only and requires location services to be enabled. How to use: Go to the starting point (A) and press the RESET button to initialize the distance counters. Walk to the target point (B) while watching the distance counters increase. The point A arrow continuously shows the direction back to the starting point. You can close the application at any time during a measurement. When reopened, the application will continue the current measurement.

Screenshots

Ballistic4 screens
Measuring Tape1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Ballistic at 57% against Measuring Tape's 12%. Ballistic also leads on price (Free vs $1.99). Measuring Tape's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and rating (4.0 vs 3.7). On ratings volume, update cadence, 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

Ballistic is free to download; Measuring Tape costs $1.99 up front. Ballistic sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Measuring Tape asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Measuring Tape holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 513 and 400 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 57% of Ballistic's written reviews are positive against 12% of Measuring Tape'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 3 months, Measuring Tape every 5 months. Both last shipped on September 23, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Ballistic versus Measuring Tape: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBallisticMeasuring Tape
PriceFree — better$1.99
Rating3.7 (513 ratings)4.0 (400 ratings) — better
Positive reviews56.9% of reviews — better11.8% of reviews
Number of ratings513 — better400
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS9.0 — better9.1
Further details — not scored
Size24 MB10 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperFederal Premium AmmunitionBoris Kalinin

Customer experience

Ballistic

All ratings513 ratings
Positive66.9%
Neutral5.5%
Negative27.7%
Written reviews290 reviews
Positive56.9%
Neutral5.5%
Negative37.6%

Measuring Tape

All ratings400 ratings
Positive75.3%
Neutral4.3%
Negative20.5%
Written reviews119 reviews
Positive11.8%
Neutral1.7%
Negative86.6%

User reviews

Ballistic

From 513 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Accurate ballistics calculations
  • 👍 Comprehensive features
  • 💡 Customizable settings
  • 🔒 Secure data storage
  • 🎯 Helpful for long-range shooting

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes when adding targets
  • 🔍 Outdated bullet/load data
  • 🤔 Confusing wind input configuration
  • 🤯 Restricted to G1 drag model only
  • 🤫 Data mining concerns

Measuring Tape

From 400 App Store ratings

What we love

  • ⭐ Works well
  • ⭐ Excellent for shooting sports
  • ⭐ Quick way to get distance measurements

Room to improve

  • 🚫 Doesn't work on newer iPhones
  • 🚫 Reset button not visible or accessible
  • 🚫 Inaccurate measurements
  • 🚫 App crashes or doesn't open

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)

Measuring Tape

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Reset button not visible or accessible
  • App crashes or doesn't open
  • Measurements are inaccurate or inconsistent

Requested features

2 requests
  • Add option to choose true north or magnetic north
  • Provide more measurement options (bearing, heading, etc.)

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Ballistic

One-time1
  • Kestrel LiNK$9.99
None

Measuring Tape

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Ballistic free?
Ballistic is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Measuring Tape free?
Measuring Tape costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Ballistic or Measuring Tape?
Measuring Tape is rated higher. Ballistic averages 3.7 out of 5 from 513 ratings, while Measuring Tape averages 4.0 from 400 ratings.
Do Ballistic or Measuring Tape have ads?
Neither Ballistic nor Measuring Tape shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Ballistic or Measuring Tape?
Ballistic ships an update every 3 months, and Measuring Tape every 5 months. Most recently, Ballistic was updated on September 23, 2026 and Measuring Tape on September 23, 2026.

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