Comparison

iRFR Preview vs ThunderTix

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

Head to head
About

iRFR Preview

This app offers a view-only display of active cue lists for lighting consoles. It's designed for professionals needing to monitor current and upcoming cues. iPad users can also take and export notes on cues.

Highlights
  • View-only cue list display
  • Monitor current and pending cues
  • Note-taking on iPad
  • Export notes to text file
  • Works on iPhone and iPad
Features
Read full description

The Preview iRFR application for the Eos family of products - Eos, Ion and Element - provides a view-only Cue List display of the active cue list. ideal for lighting designers and stage managers who need to only see current and pending cues, this application works on the iPhone, iPad Touch and iPad products. On the iPad, this application makes it possible for designers to take notes on cues, copy those notes to a text file and email them as needed.

About

ThunderTix

This app functions as a barcode scanner for event entry, syncing with a ThunderTix account. It also offers a mobile point-of-sale system for on-the-go ticket and merchandise sales, supporting both cash and credit card transactions.

Highlights
  • Rapid barcode scanning
  • Mobile point-of-sale
  • Ticket and merchandise sales
  • Cash and credit card processing
  • Real-time data synchronization
  • Duplicate ticket alerts
Read full description

This app serves as a barcode scanner to use at the entrance of your events in conjunction with a ThunderTix account. The scanner quickly scans and transmits each barcode scanned (C128 barcodes) with visuals, sounds and haptic responses. Staff members will see the name of the ticket buyer, their ticket type and seat assignment, if applicable, at the time of any valid scan along with any additional notes posted to the order. ThunderTix is a box office software offered as a monthly service for performing arts venues, live music, festivals and tours. This app also includes a mobile point of sale (POS) for orders on-the-go. The sales app allows logged-in users with appropriate user permissions to select from available upcoming events to process ticket orders and available merchandise. With an optional credit card magnetic swipe reader, users can quickly process ticket orders by swiping a card or simply key in the credit card by hand. Cash orders can also easily be sold and tracked on-site. All data is transmitted real-time to your ThunderTix account. With an active ThunderTix account, tickets are validated to the Cloud in real-time. There is no limit to the number of users scanning tickets at the event and the app can be used in combination with multiple devices. If a single ticket is attempted to be used more than once, users are alerted that the ticket has already been scanned with the date/time of the scan as well as the person/entrance where it was scanned. At any moment, you’ll know how many tickets have been scanned and how many remain to be checked in. App compatible with iPhone 4S-11+ and iPad Air, Pro and mini. Credit card reader available with iPhone 4S/5/6/6+ and iPad Air, Pro and mini. Requires iOS 15+. Features: * Rapid barcode scanning * Automatic scans without the need to interact with the phone or screen * Scans both paper tickets or directly off smartphone screens * Sales app available for both cash and credit card * Process ticket orders with available merchandise add-ons * Credit card reader available with headphone jack support ThunderTix is a trademark of Thunder Data Systems, Inc.

Screenshots

iRFR Preview3 screens
ThunderTix4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: ThunderTix at 75% against iRFR Preview's 0%. ThunderTix also leads on rating (4.3 vs 2.8) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 12 months). iRFR Preview's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.0). On price, ratings volume, 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

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ThunderTix holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 2.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 6 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of iRFR Preview's written reviews are positive against 75% of ThunderTix's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iRFR Preview ships an update every 12 months, ThunderTix fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on August 15, 2026 and September 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
iRFR Preview versus ThunderTix: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriRFR PreviewThunderTix
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.8 (4 ratings)4.3 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews75.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings46 — better
Update frequencyEvery 12 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size60 MB125 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperElectronic Theatre Controls, Inc.Thunder Data Systems, Inc

Customer experience

iRFR Preview

All ratings4 ratings
Positive25.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

ThunderTix

All ratings6 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

In-app purchases

None

iRFR Preview

No in-app purchases

None

ThunderTix

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is iRFR Preview free?
iRFR Preview is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ThunderTix free?
ThunderTix is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, iRFR Preview or ThunderTix?
ThunderTix is rated higher. iRFR Preview averages 2.8 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while ThunderTix averages 4.3 from 6 ratings.
Do iRFR Preview or ThunderTix have ads?
Neither iRFR Preview nor ThunderTix shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iRFR Preview or ThunderTix?
iRFR Preview ships an update every 12 months, and ThunderTix fortnightly. Most recently, iRFR Preview was updated on August 15, 2026 and ThunderTix on September 14, 2026.

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