# SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius vs 18Birdies

The clearest difference is ads: 18Birdies at none against SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius's shown. 18Birdies 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 device support (4 vs 2). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $13.99 per month 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 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 135K and 305K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 63% of SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius's written reviews are positive against 74% of 18Birdies's.

SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius ships an update monthly, 18Birdies every 5 days. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius | 18Birdies |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (135K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swingu-golf-gps-by-golf-genius/id332116103/reviews) | **[4.9 (305K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/18birdies-golf-gps-tracker/id892700751/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 135K | **305K** |
| Positive reviews | 63.2% of reviews | **73.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | #41 | **#5** |
| Size | 159 MB | 305 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Swing by Swing Golf, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1266160520) | [18Birdies LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/955324369) |

## What reviewers say

### SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swingu-golf-gps-by-golf-genius/id332116103)

**Currently charting:** #41 Top Grossing · Sports (US App Store)

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:** Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| SwingU Premium Monthly | $13.99 | per month |
| SwingU Premium | $14.99 | per month |
| SwingU Pro | $14.99 | per month |
| SwingU Pro | $24.99 | per month |
| SwingU Plus | $59.99 | per year |
| SwingU Plus | $59.99 | per year |
| SwingU Premium | $99.99 | per year |
| SwingU Premium Yearly | $99.99 | per year |
| SwingU Pro | $99.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- 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


### 18Birdies

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

**Currently charting:** #5 Top Grossing · Sports, #45 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 SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius free?

SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is 18Birdies free?

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

### Which has better reviews, SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius or 18Birdies?

18Birdies is rated higher. SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius averages 4.7 out of 5 from 135K ratings, while 18Birdies averages 4.9 from 305K ratings.

### Do SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius or 18Birdies have ads?

SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius shows ads; 18Birdies does not.

### Which is updated more often, SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius or 18Birdies?

SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius ships an update monthly, and 18Birdies every 5 days. Most recently, SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius was updated on September 24, 2026 and 18Birdies on September 24, 2026.

### Which is more popular, SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius or 18Birdies?

SwingU Golf GPS by Golf Genius currently peaks at #41 in the App Store charts, and 18Birdies at #5. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*