Area Code Directory vs Plates
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Search by area code
- Search by city
- Search by state
- Includes US codes
- Includes Canada codes
- Includes Caribbean codes
- Includes Toll-Free codes
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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 !
Plates
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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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. Area Code Directory sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Plates asks for nothing beyond the download.
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.
| Parameter | Area Code Directory | Plates |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.8 (24 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 65.6% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 24 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Vision Pro — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 — better | 18.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1 MB | 72 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Portable Databases | Frank Schmitt |
In-app purchases
Area Code Directory
- Remove Ads$0.99
Plates
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Area Code Directory free?
Is Plates free?
Do Area Code Directory or Plates have ads?
Which is updated more often, Area Code Directory or Plates?
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