Comparison

Area Code Directory vs Plates

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

Head to head
About

Area Code Directory

Quickly find area codes using various search methods including code, city, or state. This reference app covers codes from the United States, Canada, Caribbean, and special toll-free numbers.

Highlights
  • Search by area code
  • Search by city
  • Search by state
  • Includes US codes
  • Includes Canada codes
  • Includes Caribbean codes
  • Includes Toll-Free codes
Features
Read full description

Easy-to-use reference for looking up area codes by code, city, state, or other information. Includes United States, Canada, Caribbean, Toll-Free and Special area codes. Try our other great apps, like: * Garden Tracker * General DB * Stopwatch Log * Use By Date You will find them very useful as well !

About

Plates

Read full description

Plates app allows you to quickly and easily search for area codes, providing you with all the information you need in just a few seconds. With Widgets and integrated iOS search, you can access plate details seamlessly. Plus, dedicated Siri Shortcuts means you can stay safe while driving and still get the information you need. Plates for watchOS enables you to browse area codes directly on your wrist. Plates app is the perfect tool for anyone who wants to learn more about the cars they see every day. Download it now to start exploring the world of license plates! Plates already supports multiple countries' area codes including special codes for public authorities. The support for further countries will follow - stay tuned!

Screenshots

Area Code Directory1 screens
Plates4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Plates at none against Area Code Directory's 1. Plates also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 8 months) and device support (4 vs 2). On price, ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Area Code Directory sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Plates asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Area Code Directory ships an update every 8 months, Plates every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on August 22, 2026 and September 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Area Code Directory versus Plates: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterArea Code DirectoryPlates
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (24 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews65.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings24 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Vision Pro — better
Requires iOS17.6 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB72 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPortable DatabasesFrank Schmitt

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Area Code Directory

One-time1
  • Remove Ads$0.99
None

Plates

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Area Code Directory free?
Area Code Directory is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Plates free?
Plates is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Area Code Directory or Plates have ads?
Neither Area Code Directory nor Plates shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Area Code Directory or Plates?
Area Code Directory ships an update every 8 months, and Plates every 2 months. Most recently, Area Code Directory was updated on August 22, 2026 and Plates on September 16, 2026.

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