# Expert Golf vs 18Birdies

The clearest difference is price: 18Birdies at Free against Expert Golf's $19.99. 18Birdies also leads on rating (4.9 vs 2.5) and update cadence (weekly vs every 5 months). Expert Golf's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.0). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

18Birdies is free to download; Expert Golf costs $19.99 up front. Expert Golf sells 7 one-off in-app purchases and 18Birdies sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

18Birdies holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 2.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: 18Birdies has 306K ratings behind it against 32, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 55% of Expert Golf's written reviews are positive against 74% of 18Birdies's.

Expert Golf ships an update every 5 months, 18Birdies weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Expert Golf | 18Birdies |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $19.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [2.5 (32 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/expert-golf-igolfrules/id303484349/reviews) | **[4.9 (306K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/18birdies-golf-gps-tracker/id892700751/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 32 | **306K** |
| Positive reviews | 55.4% of reviews | **73.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | — | **#6** |
| Size | 329 MB | 297 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Golf Rules Made Easy](https://appshunter.io/developer/303484352) | [18Birdies LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/955324369) |

## What reviewers say

### Expert Golf

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/expert-golf-igolfrules/id303484349)

Instantly resolve on-course golf rules confusion with this interactive reference.  Utilize virtual referee assistance to understand relief procedures and gain an advantage.  Features 3D graphics, animations, and videos for clear, practical guidance.

**Highlights:** Instant rules resolution, 3D image rulings, Interactive relief finder, Animated illustrations and videos, Stroke play and match play rules, User-friendly interface

**Features:** Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Expert Golf – Score card for one year | $9.99 | one-time |
| Expert Golf – Tips | $9.99 | one-time |
| Expert Golf – iGolfrules 2012–2015 | $9.99 | one-time |
| iGolfrules 2016–2018 | $9.99 | one-time |
| iGolfrules 2019 | $14.99 | one-time |
| Expert Golf – GPS for one year | $19.99 | one-time |
| iGolfrules 2023 | $19.99 | one-time |


### 18Birdies

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/18birdies-golf-gps-tracker/id892700751)

**Currently charting:** #6 Top Grossing · Sports, #61 Top Free · Sports (US App Store)

This app provides advanced GPS technology and game improvement tools for golfers. It offers personalized training, AI swing analysis, and a community to connect with friends and compete. Improve your game with detailed stats and course insights.

**Highlights:** GPS Rangefinder, Digital Scorecard, Handicap Tracking, AI Swing Analyzer, Golf Community, Shot Tracking, 3D Green Maps

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 18Birdies Premium | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Premium Subscription | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Premium Subscription WB | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Premium Subscription | $9.99 | per month |
| 18Birdies Premium | $9.99 | per month |
| Monthly Premium Subscription W | $19.99 | per month |
| Monthly Premium Subscription | $19.99 | per month |
| Yearly Premium Subscription WB | $69.99 | per year |
| Yearly Premium Subscription | $99.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Accurate GPS
- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Helpful features
- 👍 Great app
- 👍 Useful for improving game

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🐛 Yardages inaccurate on Apple Watch
- 🐛 Buggy after updates
- 🐛 Difficult to use
- 🐛 Annoying referral prompts

**Reported bugs**

- Yardages not syncing correctly between watch and phone
- Inability to save rounds or enter scores
- Incorrect course information and tee box layouts
- Frequent crashes and performance issues

**Requested features**

- Automatic handicap calculation
- Customizable home course stats
- Dark mode option
- Ability to record scores for non-app users
- Layup yardages and hazard distances


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Expert Golf free?

Expert Golf costs $19.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is 18Birdies free?

18Birdies is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Expert Golf or 18Birdies?

18Birdies is rated higher. Expert Golf averages 2.5 out of 5 from 32 ratings, while 18Birdies averages 4.9 from 306K ratings.

### Do Expert Golf or 18Birdies have ads?

Neither Expert Golf nor 18Birdies shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Expert Golf or 18Birdies?

Expert Golf ships an update every 5 months, and 18Birdies weekly. Most recently, Expert Golf was updated on October 31, 2026 and 18Birdies on November 3, 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.*