Comparison

SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius vs TheGrint

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

Head to head
About

SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius

This app provides a free, accurate golf GPS rangefinder and digital scorecard. It offers features like shot tracking, handicap estimation, and daily instruction tips. Premium upgrades unlock advanced analytics, club recommendations, and personalized training plans.

Highlights
  • Free GPS rangefinder with distances to greens and hazards
  • Digital scorecard with auto hole advance
  • Free handicap estimate
  • Shot tracking and club distance insights
  • Daily golf instruction tips
  • Apple Watch integration for distances and scoring
  • AI-powered digital caddie with club recommendations
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

SwingU is the top-rated golf GPS rangefinder and scorecard app, trusted by more than 8 million golfers worldwide to play smarter, shoot lower scores, and get more out of every round. Rated 4.7 stars from 131,000+ reviews. GPS, scoring, and handicap tracking are always free, no subscription required. Upgrade when you're ready — it's always your call. WHAT DO I GET FOR FREE • GPS rangefinder that works on every course in the world, with distances to greens and hazards • Digital scorecard that tracks score and putts and auto-advances hole to hole • Golf Genius tournaments, live leaderboards, and scoring • Free handicap estimate after posting just 9 holes • Shot tracking that shows how far you really hit each club • Tap the flag on any hole for distances to 5+ tiers of the green • A daily instruction tip from our team of Top-100 teachers • Apple Watch app: distances and scoring for you and your group • HealthKit support on the Watch, including calories burned The only golfer community-verified course database in the world — 34,000+ courses and growing. CAN I PLAY REAL TOURNAMENTS IN SWINGU Yes. SwingU is part of the Golf Genius family, the tournament management platform used by thousands of clubs, courses, and golf associations worldwide. Golfers can join a Golf Genius event, post scores from the SwingU scorecard, and follow live leaderboards without leaving the app. WHAT IS SWINGU PLUS SwingU Plus is our AI-powered digital caddie subscription. It adds: • AI Digital Caddie with "Plays Like" yardages using live wind speed and elevation • Club recommendations based on your club distances, shot tracking, and conditions • StrackaLine Green Maps for 20,000+ courses — precise slopes and break lines on laser-mapped greens • Hole Insights — your hole stats vs. all SwingU golfers for strategic decision making • Hole notes you can reference the next time you play • Enhanced scorecard — putts, driver accuracy, bunker play, penalties, and detailed round summaries • On-the-course games with handicap-adjusted scoring: Stroke Play, Skins, Stableford, Match Play, and Nassau WHAT IS SWINGU PRO SwingU Pro is our elite game-improvement subscription, and includes everything in Plus: • SwingU strokes gained — the world's easiest-to-use strokes gained platform, used by 50+ active tour players and 100+ college golfers • Performance comparison vs. your target handicap (from +6 to 30) • Relative handicap for every facet: driving, approach, short game, bunker play, and putting • Post-round #1 improvement priority, plus a prescriptive drill from a Top-100 teacher • SwingU TV — 600+ lessons and drills from Top-100 teachers, anytime WHY DO MILLIONS OF GOLFERS USE SWINGU • Reliable and easy to use — one tap and you're playing • Helping golfers improve since 2008 • The only golfer community-verified course database in the world • Backed by Golf Genius, the technology behind competitive golf at thousands of clubs === OTHER INFO Monthly and yearly subscription upgrades are available. Payment for in-app subscriptions will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. Subscriptions may be managed by you, and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to your iTunes Account Settings after purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable. As a registered user, you'll be subscribed to the world's top golf daily newsletter which includes promotions from our partners. You can 1-click unsubscribe at any time. Despite years of optimizing the app, constant use of GPS running in the background can decrease battery life. Full terms and the EULA are available at: • swingu.com/terms-of-service/ • clubhouse.swingu.com/eula/

About

TheGrint

Master your golf game with an accurate GPS rangefinder, USGA Handicap tracker, and advanced stats. Track scores, analyze performance, and compete with friends. Unlock premium features for deeper insights and enhanced gameplay.

Highlights
  • GPS rangefinder for 40,000+ courses
  • USGA Handicap tracking
  • Advanced performance analytics
  • Scorecard and stat tracking
  • Competitive games and leaderboards
  • Smartwatch integration
Features
Read full description

TheGrint is where golfers track their game, manage their handicap, and build a complete history of every round. More than a golf scorecard, TheGrint brings your Handicap Index®, score tracking, golf stats, friends, games, and on-course tools together in one place. Post scores, follow your progress, compare performance over time, and keep every round connected to your golf identity. HANDICAP TRACKING & SCORE HISTORY • Track your golf handicap and see how it changes over time • Link your USGA Handicap Index® and sync eligible scores in the US • Connect to the GHAP handicap network outside the US • Post rounds quickly with simple score uploads • Get a Handicap Estimate if you don’t have an official handicap • Look up other golfers’ handicaps and playing history • Keep your score history organized in one golf app GOLF SCORECARD & ROUND TRACKING • Record scores hole by hole with an easy digital golf scorecard • Track FIR, GIR, putts, penalties, and 18+ detailed performance stats modules • Save every round to build a long-term picture of your game • Track scores from your phone or Apple Watch • Upload a scorecard photo with TheGrint Pro GOLF STATS & PERFORMANCE Turn every score into something useful. • Analyze trends across your rounds and across seasons • See strengths and weaknesses across key golf stats customized to your game • Compare your performance with golfers at your skill level with Pro benchmarks • Follow your scoring, putting, accuracy, and approach-game progress over time PLAY WITH FRIENDS Golf is better when your rounds are connected. • Add friends and follow their rounds • Create live leaderboards • Play Skins, Stableford, Match Play, Wolf, Vegas, Animals, and more • Share scorecards, chat, and compete with your group • See how your game stacks up against the golfers you play with most Discover where to play next, rank the courses you've played, and build your golf bucket list. • Search and explore golf courses with our golf-specific Course Discovery Map • See golfer ratings, course difficulty, scorecards, conditions, and other course details • Find out which courses your friends have played and discover highly rated courses nearby • Build your personal course rankings with quick head-to-head course comparisons • Keep track of your favorite courses and golf bucket list • Explore TheGrint Top 100 rankings across the U.S., Canada, UK & Ireland, and around the world • See how courses rank based on real golfer ratings, rankings, and playing activity APPLE WATCH FOR GOLF Keep your phone in the bag. • Enter scores and stats from your Apple Watch • Track shots during your round • View on-course distances from your wrist • Access Green Maps with TheGrint Pro on supported courses GPS, RANGEFINDER & COURSE TOOLS When you need on-course information, TheGrint has it. • GPS maps for 40,000+ golf courses worldwide • Distances to greens, hazards, and landing areas • Green Maps for 25,000+ courses with TheGrint Pro • Explore courses, scorecards, rankings, difficulty, and friend activity • Target dispersion tool for smarter shot planning • Additional GPS widgets, with green depths and labeled points on the map THEGRINT PRO The free plan covers the main things you'll need to like Score tracking, GPS, and playing with friends. Upgrade to Pro for deeper game tracking and more ways to play: • Advanced stats and insights • Community performance benchmarks • Green Maps at 25,000+ courses • Enhanced Apple Watch features • Additional games and presses • Additional GPS tools and widgets • Scorecard Picture Service Whether you’re working toward a lower handicap, tracking every score, analyzing your golf stats, or competing with friends, TheGrint gives you one place to build your golf history and follow your game over time. Download TheGrint and make every round count. WHERE GOLF HAPPENS.

Screenshots

SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius4 screens
TheGrint4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: TheGrint at none against SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius's shown. TheGrint also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs monthly) and rating (4.9 vs 4.7). SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius's advantage is ratings volume (135K vs 34K) and device support (4 vs 2). On price, review sentiment, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $13.99 per month and TheGrint sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

TheGrint holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 135K and 34K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 63% of SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius's written reviews are positive against 71% of TheGrint's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius ships an update monthly, TheGrint every 5 days. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius versus TheGrint: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSwingU Golf GPS by Golf GeniusTheGrint
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (135K ratings)4.9 (34K ratings) — better
Positive reviews63.2% of reviews71.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings135K — better34K
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 5 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
Best chart rank#41 — better#45
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size159 MB344 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSwing by Swing Golf, Inc.GRINT LLC

Customer experience

SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius

All ratings135,392 ratings
Positive94.9%
Neutral3.3%
Negative1.9%
Written reviews628 reviews
Positive63.2%
Neutral9.7%
Negative27.1%

TheGrint

All ratings33,815 ratings
Positive97.6%
Neutral0.9%
Negative1.4%
Written reviews671 reviews
Positive71.1%
Neutral9.4%
Negative19.5%

User reviews

SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius

From 135K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Accurate distances
  • 📊 Great stat tracking
  • ⌚ Apple Watch integration
  • 📚 Helpful coaching/drills
  • 🤝 Responsive customer support

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Buggy Apple Watch app
  • 🔋 High battery drain
  • 🤔 Inconsistent GPS accuracy
  • 📉 Declining quality after updates
  • 💰 Expensive subscription

TheGrint

From 34K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Great app
  • 🚀 Accurate GPS
  • 💡 Useful stats and analytics
  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 👍 Helpful for improving game

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Sync issues with Apple Watch
  • 🐛 Inconsistent yardage readings
  • 🐛 Crashes and bugs
  • 🐛 Difficulty uploading past rounds
  • 🔒 Handicap features locked behind paywall

Bugs and requests

SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App freezes/crashes mid-round
  • Scores not syncing between phone and watch
  • Incorrect hole/course information
  • Yardages not updating in real-time

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add Stableford scoring option
  • Allow manual club distance entry
  • Improve Apple Watch UI and functionality
  • Integrate with GHIN handicap system
  • Add green/hazard images to Apple Watch

TheGrint

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • GPS not working properly on some courses
  • Scores not syncing correctly between phone and watch
  • App crashes when trying to upload rounds
  • Course information not up-to-date

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add ability to track club selection and shot distances
  • Improve course map and pin placement features
  • Integrate with more golf handicap systems
  • Add wind and elevation data
  • Allow more customization of stats and analytics

In-app purchases

9 purchases

SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius

Subscriptions9
  • SwingU Premium Monthly$13.991 Month
  • SwingU Premium2 variants$14.991 Month
  • SwingU Pro$14.991 Month
Show 6 more
  • SwingU Pro$24.991 Month
  • SwingU Plus$59.991 Year
  • SwingU Plus7 Days trial$59.991 Year
  • SwingU Premium2 variants$99.991 Year
  • SwingU Premium Yearly7 Days trial$99.991 Year
  • SwingU Pro7 Days trial$99.991 Year
12 purchases

TheGrint

Subscriptions12
  • Monthly Pro Merbership$2.991 Month
  • Pro Membership 3.99/mo$3.991 Month
  • PRO Membership Free Trial1 Month trial$3.991 Month
Show 9 more
  • Pro Membership$7.991 Month
  • PRO Membership$19.991 Year
  • PRO Membership7 Days trial$19.991 Year
  • Pro Membership 39.99/yr$39.991 Year
  • PRO Membership Free Trial1 Month trial$39.991 Year
  • Pro Membership1 Month trial$59.991 Year
  • Pro Membership7 Days trial$59.991 Year
  • PRO Membership$59.991 Year
  • PRO Plus Membership$99.991 Year

Questions

Is SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius free?
SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TheGrint free?
TheGrint is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius or TheGrint?
TheGrint is rated higher. SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius averages 4.7 out of 5 from 135K ratings, while TheGrint averages 4.9 from 34K ratings.
Do SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius or TheGrint have ads?
SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius shows ads; TheGrint does not.
Which is updated more often, SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius or TheGrint?
SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius ships an update monthly, and TheGrint every 5 days. Most recently, SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius was updated on September 24, 2026 and TheGrint on September 24, 2026.
Which is more popular, SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius or TheGrint?
SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius currently peaks at #41 in the App Store charts, and TheGrint at #45. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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