HazMat Reference vs Decon Field Guide
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
HazMat Reference
Quickly access critical information on hazardous materials for handling, storage, and incident response. Features include advanced search, sorting, and filtering of materials from key regulatory tables and guides. Offline access ensures availability in any situation.
- ERG 2024 data
- NIOSH, CFR/HMT, NFPA, GHS information
- Advanced search, sort, and filter
- Offline access
- NFPA Fire Diamond
- Physical descriptions and CAS#
- DOT incident data filter
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Your best quick reference for hazardous materials. Includes: NIOSH, CFR/HMT, NFPA, GHS, CAMEO information. This app serves as a quick reference and educational tool for employees that are involved with the regular handling and storage or incident response of Hazardous Materials. Materials from the Hazardous Material Table (HMT) and Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) are listed in easy to review form with advanced search, sort, and filter capabilities. Pertinent information from the HMT, ERG, NIOSH and other sources are listed with the proper placard and hazard class for each material. The Hazardous Materials Table (HMT) 49 CFR §172.101 is a list of hazardous materials by proper shipping name that governs the transportation, marking and labeling by all modes: air, water, rail, and highway. Understanding and knowing how to use information in the HMT is the first step toward compliance. The Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) is primarily a guide to aid first responders in quickly identifying the specific or generic hazards of the material(s) involved in the incident, and protecting themselves and the general public during the initial response phase of the incident. The ERG is updated and released every 4 years by the D.O.T. No internet connection required. Find materials by name or UN Identifier. Includes information from all tables and reference pages in the ERG. Additional Features: * Filter/Sort Materials with DOT Reported Incidents in the last 12 months * History of materials - most recent or most viewed * NFPA Fire Diamond: quick visual ref for Health, Fire, Reactivity, and other hazards * Physical descriptions for most chemicals * CAS#, RTECS# with NIOSH IDLH and exposure information * Quicksort by UN ID#, guide #, name or number of incidents
Decon Field Guide
This reference app provides quick and efficient decontamination methods for hundreds of threats. It features a classic Threat Index, pictorial instructions, and an in-app dwell timer to guide users through mission execution. Designed for approved users, it aims to make anyone an instant decontamination expert.
- Threat Index for decontamination methods
- Pictorial instructions
- In-app dwell timer
- Covers hundreds of threats
- Designed for approved users
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Imagine decontamination in the palm of your hand. Introducing the all-new, redesigned Decon Field Guide. Using the same classic Threat Index, quickly and efficiently determine proper decontamination methods for hundreds of known and emerging threats and execute your mission flawlessly utilizing pictorial instructions and in-app dwell timer. Become an instant decontamination expert with the Decon Field Guide. Only available for approved users. Download now.
Screenshots
Verdict
HazMat Reference and Decon Field Guide both sit at 4.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 96% of HazMat Reference's written reviews are positive against 0% of Decon Field Guide's. HazMat Reference also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (1.7K vs 8). Decon Field Guide's advantage is price (Free vs $4.99). On rating, update cadence, in-app purchases and device support 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
Decon Field Guide is free to download; HazMat Reference costs $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
HazMat Reference holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: HazMat Reference has 1.7K ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 96% of HazMat Reference's written reviews are positive against 0% of Decon Field Guide's.
HazMat Reference ships an update every 4 months, Decon Field Guide every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and June 4, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | HazMat Reference | Decon Field Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.8 (1.7K ratings) — better | 4.6 (8 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 95.9% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1.7K — better | 8 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Ad-supported — better |
| Best chart rank | #89 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 15.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 75 MB | 73 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 17+ |
| Developer | ThatsMyStapler Inc. | First Line Technology, LLC |
Customer experience
HazMat Reference
Decon Field Guide
Bugs and requests
HazMat Reference
Reported bugs
1 issue- Bulk packaging information part of CFR 49 won't load
Requested features
2 requests- Format for larger phones
- Ability to print guide or reference material
Decon Field Guide
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
HazMat Reference
No in-app purchases
Decon Field Guide
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is HazMat Reference free?
Is Decon Field Guide free?
Which has better reviews, HazMat Reference or Decon Field Guide?
Do HazMat Reference or Decon Field Guide have ads?
Which is updated more often, HazMat Reference or Decon Field Guide?
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