# iDatabase vs Variables

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | iDatabase | Variables |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (513 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/idatabase/id328185048/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **513** | — |
| Positive reviews | 52.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 91 MB | 11 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | **17.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Apimac](https://appshunter.io/developer/320560024) | [Johannes Klumpe](https://appshunter.io/developer/1838329115) |

## What reviewers say

### iDatabase

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/idatabase/id328185048)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $1.99 | per month |
| Annual Subscription | $19.99 | per year |
| Lifetime License | $39.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

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


### Variables

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/variables-measure-everything/id6757949097)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is iDatabase free?

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

### Is Variables free?

Variables is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do iDatabase or Variables have ads?

Neither iDatabase nor Variables shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, iDatabase or Variables?

iDatabase ships an update fortnightly, and Variables every 3 months. Most recently, iDatabase was updated on November 10, 2026 and Variables on November 5, 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.*