Comparison

Electronic Toolbox Pro vs Ugly's Electrical References

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

Head to head
About

Electronic Toolbox Pro

This comprehensive electronics engineering app provides professionals, hobbyists, and students with a vast array of tools and reference materials. It features a circuit editor, numerous calculation and conversion tools, and extensive component specifications with parametric search capabilities.

Highlights
  • Circuit Editor
  • Component reference with parametric search
  • Numerous calculation tools
  • Unit and HEX/Decimal conversion tools
  • Scientific calculator, frequency generator, oscilloscope
  • Project diagram and document storage
  • Reference tools for major development boards
Read full description

The *** ORIGINAL *** Electronic Toolbox Pro App "The best and most complete Electronics App on the App Store" for Professionals, Hobbyists, Makers, HAMs and Students right at your fingertips! Best of all: Continuously improved since 2009 - FOR FREE - NO IN APP PURCHASE - NO FAKE REVIEWS! What users wrote about this app: Well worth the money ***** I researched all EE apps before buying this one and I have to say that this one is the best by far. The developer is very accommodating to requests and suggestions and provides updates frequently. Very, very happy with this app. Simply brilliant ***** I don't normally review apps but I was so impressed with this one I felt I had to make a brief comment. Buy it, I promise you won't be disappointed. Supports iOS 14 back to iOS 11 and all available Apple iPhone and iPad models. See the online Manual at http://go-to.me/etb-manual Feature Highlights: ■ Circuit Editor ■ Most comprehensive and complete Electronics app available ■ Designed for Novices as well as Experts ■ Numerous individual tools from "A" like ASCII Table to "Z" like Zener Diode calculation. If something is missing, just let me know ■ Provides wide variety of simple and complex tools, such as the resistor color code conversion to the PCB Trace width tools ■ Various calculation tools available, such as the NE555 circuit calculation and the passive cooling calculator ■ Includes reference tools with millions of component specs for ICs, Transistors, FETs, Controllers with parametric searches, pinout and cross reference information, and complete datasheets ■ Provides information about Batteries, Drill sizes, Hybrid Amplifiers, Socket pinouts, package sizes and much more ■ Includes conversion tools, such as the Unit conversion tool, the HEX/Decimal/Float Tool, Frequency and AWG / SWG tools ■ Parametric search for Components with certain specs and cross references ■ Global search for terms or components across all tools ■ Customizable arrangement of tools for quick and easy access ■ Includes a scientific desktop calculator, a frequency generator, and an oscilloscope ■ Comprehensive reference glossary (english only) ■ Content can be updated "over-the-air" and amended quickly and easily ■ Store diagrams, documents, and specs of a project ■ iCloud support ■ No ads or in-app purchases ■ Can be used without Internet access ■ Special keyboard available for quicker entry of SI units ■ And much more... Now also includes reference tools for major boards like RaspBerry Pi, Arduino, BeagleBone, TI-Launchpad, Nano Pi, Orange Pi, Banana Pi, Odroid, Cubieboard and SparkFun! For further information about this App, just have a look at my website: ■ electronic-toolbox.com ■ or just send me an E-mail. The new Version of the app has just been released and as always, this update is FOR FREE to all users of Electronic Toolbox. At this point, many thanks for the ideas and suggestions I have received from the huge user community. You helped me to keep on improving my app with every new update. This App will continue to live and grow over the time. So I still look forward to all additional ideas, suggestions or even criticism so that I can continuously improve my App. Best regards, Marcus Read more on : http://go-to.me/etb

About

Ugly's Electrical References

This app provides electricians and electrical professionals with up-to-date digital information based on the National Electrical Code. It includes formulas, wiring diagrams, conduit bending guides, and calculators for various electrical calculations. The app is designed for on-the-job reference and works offline.

Highlights
  • NEC 2026 updates
  • Mathematical formulas and calculators
  • Conduit bending guide with videos
  • Ampacity and conduit fill information
  • Wiring diagrams
  • Conversion tables
  • Works offline
Features
Read full description

The Ugly's Electrical References App has been updated to reflect changes to the 2026 National Electrical Code (NEC) and the 2026 Edition of our popular Ugly’s Electrical References book. The Ugly’s App offers the most pertinent, up-to-date digital information for electricians, including table change information, mathematical formulas; National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) wiring configurations; a conduit bending guide with videos, ampacity and conduit fill information, transformer and control circuit wiring diagrams, and conversion tables. The 2026 Edition: * Reflects changes to the 2026 NEC * Features expanded coverage of the following topics: * Full-load currents for 3-phase transformers  * Maximum number of conductors in electrical metallic tubing for trade sizes 5 and 6  * Equipment grounding conductors  * General lighting loads for non-dwelling occupancies  * Overview of important NEC code changes from 2020, 2023 and 2026  Electricians and electrical professionals have used ‘Ugly’s Electrical References’ book as their on-the-job reference for over 35 years. This app will serve you even better in the field today.  FEATURING Calculators and Interactive Features • Ohm’s Law Calculator • Voltage Drop Calculator • Ampacity Calculator • To Find: Amps, Watts, Horsepower, KVA • To Find: Inductance, Impedance, Reactance • Three-phase AC Motor Data: Starter, Breaker, Heater, Wire, and Conduit Size • Power Factor Correction • Full Load Current for Motors and Transformers • Locked-Rotor Current Calculator • Offset Bending Calculator • Conduit Fill Calculator • Conversions for Area, Length, Temperature, Time, Volume, and Weight • NEMA Wiring Configurations *Pinch & Zoom for improved readability *Conduit Bending Video Tutorials *Search function helps you quickly find what you need to know *NEC Updater outlines and explains changes to the National Electrical Code© *Electrical Safety including definitions, boundaries, procedures, PPE guidance, and life-saving *First aid procedures *Blueprint symbol identifier *Bookmark your commonly used screens *High-definition images and interactive tables that can be zoomed in for detail *Works offline *Great for electricians, students, engineers, contractors, maintenance workers, and military Interested in a buying more than one copy of the Ugly’s Electrical Reference app for your commercially owned devices? Please email info[at]uglys[dot]net for details on volume purchases. Privacy Policy - http://www.jblearning.com/privacy/ Terms of Service - http://www.jblearning.com/use/ Support – http://www.uglys.net/appsupport The Ugly’s Electrical Reference app is part of the popular Ugly’s Professional Reference® series, which is an imprint of Jones & Bartlett Learning. National Electrical Code and NFPA 70 are registered trademarks of the National Fire Protection Agency and are not associated with Ugly’s Electrical References in any way.

Screenshots

Electronic Toolbox Pro4 screens
Ugly's Electrical References4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Electronic Toolbox Pro at 93% against Ugly's Electrical References's 47%. Electronic Toolbox Pro also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.4) and iOS requirement (11.1 vs 17). Ugly's Electrical References's advantage is chart position (#6 vs unranked) and ratings volume (1.5K vs 245). On price, update cadence, 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

Electronic Toolbox Pro costs $12.99 and Ugly's Electrical References $12.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Electronic Toolbox Pro holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ugly's Electrical References has 1.5K ratings behind it against 245, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 93% of Electronic Toolbox Pro's written reviews are positive against 47% of Ugly's Electrical References's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Electronic Toolbox Pro ships an update every 2 months, Ugly's Electrical References every 3 months. Both last shipped on October 15, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Electronic Toolbox Pro versus Ugly's Electrical References: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterElectronic Toolbox ProUgly's Electrical References
Price$12.99$12.99
Rating4.7 (245 ratings) — better4.4 (1.5K ratings)
Positive reviews92.6% of reviews — better47.1% of reviews
Number of ratings2451.5K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank—#6 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS11.1 — better17
Further details — not scored
Size201 MB63 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperMarcus RoskoschInformed Publishing

Customer experience

Electronic Toolbox Pro

All ratings245 ratings
Positive93.9%
Neutral0.8%
Negative5.3%
Written reviews323 reviews
Positive92.6%
Neutral1.9%
Negative5.6%

Ugly's Electrical References

All ratings1,495 ratings
Positive84.9%
Neutral5.7%
Negative9.4%
Written reviews172 reviews
Positive47.1%
Neutral16.9%
Negative36.0%

User reviews

Electronic Toolbox Pro

From 245 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Comprehensive database
  • 🔍 Detailed component information
  • 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
  • ⚡ Frequent updates
  • 🛠️ Useful calculators and tools

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes or bugs
  • 🔍 Missing some component data
  • 🔌 Compatibility issues on older devices

Ugly's Electrical References

From 1.5K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Quick reference
  • 👍 Helpful for apprentices and journeymen
  • 👍 Convenient to have on phone
  • 👍 Useful calculators
  • 👍 Great resource

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Videos/audio not working
  • 🐛 Bookmarking issues
  • 🐛 Glitchy navigation
  • 🐛 Difficult to find information
  • 🐛 Annoying review pop-up

Bugs and requests

Electronic Toolbox Pro

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Equation disappearing in calculator
  • Circuit editor not working with touch input

Requested features

4 requests
  • More microcontroller and SBC support
  • Circuit simulation and design capabilities
  • Educational resources and tutorials
  • Improved circuit editor functionality

Ugly's Electrical References

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Videos not playing
  • Bookmarks not working correctly
  • Navigation issues causing app crashes
  • Incorrect calculation results

Requested features

5 requests
  • Zoom functionality
  • Better search capabilities
  • Spanish language support
  • Offline access to full content
  • Improved bookmarking system

In-app purchases

None

Electronic Toolbox Pro

No in-app purchases

None

Ugly's Electrical References

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Electronic Toolbox Pro free?
Electronic Toolbox Pro costs $12.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Ugly's Electrical References free?
Ugly's Electrical References costs $12.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Electronic Toolbox Pro or Ugly's Electrical References?
Electronic Toolbox Pro is rated higher. Electronic Toolbox Pro averages 4.7 out of 5 from 245 ratings, while Ugly's Electrical References averages 4.4 from 1.5K ratings.
Do Electronic Toolbox Pro or Ugly's Electrical References have ads?
Neither Electronic Toolbox Pro nor Ugly's Electrical References shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Electronic Toolbox Pro or Ugly's Electrical References?
Electronic Toolbox Pro ships an update every 2 months, and Ugly's Electrical References every 3 months. Most recently, Electronic Toolbox Pro was updated on October 15, 2026 and Ugly's Electrical References on October 15, 2026.

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