Comparison

iDatabase vs Formbook

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

Head to head
About

iDatabase

Create and manage custom databases, inventories, and collections with ease. Organize personal or professional information using pre-built templates or design your own. Secure your data with a PIN and back it up to cloud storage.

Highlights
  • Custom database creation
  • Pre-built templates
  • Variety of field types
  • Search and sort functionality
  • PIN protection
  • Cloud backup (Dropbox)
  • Data sharing
Features
Read full description

CREATE DATABASES IN SECONDS iDatabase is a powerful and easy-to-use database app for iPhone and iPad. Create and manage your own databases without technical skills. Organize work or personal information, store everything in one place, and find what you need in seconds. ORGANIZE YOUR RECORDS Create Groups and Smart Groups directly in the record list to keep your data organized. Smart Groups automatically collect records that match your criteria and update as your data changes. SEARCH ALL YOUR DATABASES Find information across all your databases, even when they are not open. Search by name, word, number, or any other information and jump directly to the matching record. FAST AND INTUITIVE A clean, modern interface designed for iPhone and iPad. Create, edit, browse, and organize records with simple touch controls, full Dark Mode support, and smooth navigation. SYNC WITH MAC, IPHONE AND IPAD Keep your databases up to date across all your devices with iCloud. Changes are automatically synchronized between iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Store databases in iCloud, restore previous versions, and access your information even when you are offline. READY-TO-USE TEMPLATES Get started quickly with built-in templates for contacts, inventories, expenses, projects, recipes, and more. Customize existing templates or create your own databases from scratch. FLEXIBLE DATA FIELDS Use text, numbers, dates, images, links, email addresses, phone numbers, checkboxes, password fields, choices, and calculated fields. Customize each field and choose which fields appear in the record list. SEARCH, SORT AND ORGANIZE Search and sort records by any field. Use Groups and Smart Groups to organize your information automatically and keep large databases easy to manage. APPLE INTELLIGENCE Use Apple Intelligence Writing Tools to correct, rewrite, and compose text directly in your database fields. SHARE AND IMPORT Share databases, selected records, or individual entries with other apps. Import data from CSV files and add records from other iDatabase databases. FLEXIBLE PURCHASE OPTIONS iDatabase is available as a one-time purchase or as a monthly or annual subscription. Subscriptions renew automatically unless auto-renewal is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Privacy Policy: https://www.apimac.com/about/privacy/ https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdterms/

About

Formbook

This app allows you to create structured notes that function like database forms, saving you time and providing instant chart statistics. It supports collaboration, cross-device synchronization, and AI-powered form building with numerous field types.

Highlights
  • Form-based note creation
  • Instant chart statistics
  • Notebook sharing for collaboration
  • AI-powered automated form builder
  • 30+ form field types
  • Cross-device synchronization
  • Export to PDF and CSV
Features
Read full description

Formbook: the revolutionary personal database app. Formbook is a new generation database app in which you create form based notes to easily store information. Formbook is the perfect app for structured information note taking. With Formbook, notes behave like database forms: create a notebook and define the fields you need to store your information. Form based notes have amazing benefits: - Gain a huge amount of time while taking notes as you just need to fill in form fields. - Instantly obtain chart stats on the data contained in your notebooks. - Share notebooks for collaboration with other Formbook users. Here are some usage examples. Create notebooks to: - Keep track of your progress in sport training. - Remember your favorite restaurants in places you visit. - Store your recipes. - Follow to do tasks. - Prepare a trip by describing the places to visit. - Keep track of any object inventory (with barcode reader). Formbook comes with a powerful dashboard feature that visually displays charts on your data. Personalize your charts and analyse data in detail. Formbook is cross device: notes are automatically synchronized on your iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch via iCloud. Formbook is also available on your Apple Watch: access your notes and notebooks directly from you Apple Watch. Formbook is powered by AI: save time with the new automated form builder. Enter your notebook name and Formbook infers the database fields. Choose among 30 form field types when conceiving your notebook structure: - Short text field - Long text field - Secret text field revealed by FaceID or TouchID - Code text field (programming languages) - Number - Currency - Stepper (number) - Slider (number) - Calculation (using the data from other fields) - Yes/No button - Date and Time fields - Duration - Images and photos - List of elements (with optional checkboxes) - List of tags - Rating (with stars) - Email (with compose button) - Address (with map access) - Phone number (with compose button) - URL (with browse button) - Barcode and QR code (with scan button) - Current location (latitude, longitude, address) Export your notes as PDF file and CSV file to use the data with spreadsheet apps.

Screenshots

iDatabase4 screens
Formbook4 screens

Verdict

The call

iDatabase and Formbook both sit at 4.4 stars, but that hides the real split: 80% of Formbook's written reviews are positive against 52% of iDatabase's. Formbook also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs fortnightly) and monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs paid). iDatabase's advantage is ratings volume (510 vs 32). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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. iDatabase sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Formbook sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.4 for iDatabase against 4.5 for Formbook. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: iDatabase has 510 ratings behind it against 32, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 52% of iDatabase's written reviews are positive against 80% of Formbook's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iDatabase ships an update fortnightly, Formbook every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
iDatabase versus Formbook: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriDatabaseFormbook
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (510 ratings)4.5 (32 ratings) — better
Positive reviews52.0% of reviews79.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings510 — better32
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS18.617.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size88 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperApimacMathieu Morgensztern

Customer experience

iDatabase

All ratings510 ratings
Positive82.4%
Neutral8.6%
Negative9.0%
Written reviews198 reviews
Positive52.0%
Neutral15.2%
Negative32.8%

Formbook

All ratings32 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral12.5%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews134 reviews
Positive79.9%
Neutral14.9%
Negative5.2%

User reviews

iDatabase

From 510 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Simple database creation
  • 📸 Ability to attach photos
  • 💾 Dropbox backup/restore

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and bugs
  • 🔗 Dropbox linking issues
  • 📁 Limited export/import options
  • 🔍 Lacking advanced search/filter features
  • 💻 No iPad or desktop version

Formbook

From 32 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Intuitive and easy-to-use interface
  • 🔄 Seamless cross-device synchronization
  • 💰 One-time purchase with no subscription
  • 🎨 Clean, native Apple design aesthetic
  • 📊 Flexible field types and customization

Room to improve

  • 🔍 Limited search functionality (no field-specific search)
  • 🐛 Frequent crashes on macOS
  • ⚠️ Slow performance with large datasets
  • 📋 No table/spreadsheet view option
  • 🔐 Lack of password protection

Bugs and requests

iDatabase

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Crashes when adding photos
  • Inability to open databases
  • Data loss and corruption issues
  • Syncing problems between devices

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add iCloud support
  • Improve Dropbox integration
  • Enhance sorting and filtering capabilities
  • Introduce currency and calculation fields
  • Provide a more user-friendly interface

Formbook

Reported bugs

12 issues
  • Crashes on macOS Ventura and newer
  • Crashes when validating fields in new notes
  • Export functionality issues with CSV and PDF
  • Barcode field scans but cannot search by barcode
  • Star rating field too sensitive to accidental changes
Show 7 more
  • Performance degradation with photos in notes
  • Text field labels not visible in note panel
  • Syncing issues between devices
  • Import duplicates data instead of updating
  • Occasional freezing and slowness
  • Watch app syncing problems
  • In-app purchase requires repurchase after updates

Requested features

30 requests
  • Field-specific search functionality
  • Advanced multi-criteria filtering
  • Table/spreadsheet view for data
  • Password/biometric app protection
  • Rich text formatting (bold, italic, colors)
Show 25 more
  • File attachment support (PDFs, documents)
  • Drag-and-drop image insertion
  • Move notes between notebooks
  • Duplicate notebook without content
  • Advanced calculated fields with date math
  • Print functionality for records and lists
  • Customizable PDF export templates
  • Folder organization for notebooks
  • Read-only mode for records
  • Barcode scanning search capability
  • Calendar integration
  • Reminder/alert field with notifications
  • Multiple image support per field
  • Keyboard shortcuts/Shortcuts app integration
  • Collaborative sharing between users
  • Template creation for notebooks
  • Undo/backup functionality
  • Batch operations (edit, delete multiple)
  • Tag autocomplete with global tag list
  • Sub-tags support
  • Column/card view options
  • Adjustable font sizes
  • Home button for quick navigation
  • Bulk import with update option
  • Android version

In-app purchases

3 purchases

iDatabase

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Subscription1 Month trial$1.991 Month
  • Annual Subscription1 Month trial$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime License$79.99
2 purchases

Formbook

One-time2
  • Notebook sharing$3.99
  • Additional fields pack$3.99

Questions

Is iDatabase free?
iDatabase is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Formbook free?
Formbook is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, iDatabase or Formbook?
Formbook is rated higher. iDatabase averages 4.4 out of 5 from 510 ratings, while Formbook averages 4.5 from 32 ratings.
Do iDatabase or Formbook have ads?
Neither iDatabase nor Formbook shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iDatabase or Formbook?
iDatabase ships an update fortnightly, and Formbook every 4 days. Most recently, iDatabase was updated on October 12, 2026 and Formbook on October 14, 2026.

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