iDatabase vs Variables
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
iDatabase
Create and manage custom databases on your iPhone and iPad without needing technical skills. Organize personal or work information, search across all your data instantly, and sync seamlessly with your Mac. Offers ready-to-use templates and flexible data fields.
- Create custom databases
- Organize records with Groups and Smart Groups
- Search across all databases
- Sync with iPhone, iPad, and Mac via iCloud
- Ready-to-use templates
- Flexible data fields
- Share and import data
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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/
Variables
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Variables is a simple way to track anything and actually understand it. Most habit trackers ask "did you succeed?" This one just asks "what happened?" Log whatever matters to you—sleep, mood, coffee, pages read, workouts, anything—and look for patterns later. How it works Create variables with flexible data types: numbers, durations, categories, yes/no, or freeform notes. Log values whenever you remember. No streaks to break, no guilt when you miss a day. A low number is just data, not a failure. Over time, you build up a picture of what your life actually looks like. Then you can start asking questions. Voice logging Tap the microphone and say something like "slept 7 hours, mood good, read 30 pages." The app parses it automatically and logs each value to the right variable. No typing required. Ask questions in plain English "Do I sleep better when I exercise?" "What's my average mood on Mondays?" "How much coffee did I drink last week?" The app translates your question into a database query and gives you the answer. Features - Flexible variable types: numbers, durations, enums, booleans, text - Voice input with automatic parsing - Natural language queries (or write SQL directly if you prefer) - Goal tracking with weekly targets - Analytics dashboard with trends and streaks - Calendar view of your logged data - Dark mode - API access for custom integrations - Self-hostable if you want full control of your data
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Variables at none against iDatabase's 3. iDatabase's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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
Both are free to download. iDatabase sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Variables asks for nothing beyond the download.
iDatabase ships an update fortnightly, Variables every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 10, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | iDatabase | Variables |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (513 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 52.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 513 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | 17.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 91 MB | 11 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Apimac | Johannes Klumpe |
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
Variables
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
iDatabase
- Monthly Subscription1 Month trial$1.991 Month
- Annual Subscription1 Month trial$19.991 Year
- Lifetime License$39.99
Variables
No in-app purchases









