# HazMat Reference vs NIMS ICS Guide

The clearest difference is review sentiment: HazMat Reference at 96% against NIMS ICS Guide's 50%. HazMat Reference also leads on price ($4.99 vs $14.99) and rating (4.8 vs 4.1). NIMS ICS Guide's advantage is iOS requirement (8.0 vs 14.0). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

HazMat Reference costs $4.99 and NIMS ICS Guide $14.99 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 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: HazMat Reference has 1.7K ratings behind it against 17, 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 50% of NIMS ICS Guide's.

HazMat Reference ships an update every 4 months, NIMS ICS Guide every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | HazMat Reference | NIMS ICS Guide |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$4.99** | $14.99 |
| Rating | **[4.8 (1.7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hazmat-reference/id385775821/reviews)** | [4.1 (17 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nims-ics-guide/id406880725/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.7K** | 17 |
| Positive reviews | **95.9% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | **#21** | #192 |
| Size | 75 MB | 10 MB |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | **8.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ThatsMyStapler Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/337472637) | [Informed Publishing](https://appshunter.io/developer/351739093) |

## What reviewers say

### HazMat Reference

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hazmat-reference/id385775821)

**Currently charting:** #21 Top Paid · Reference (US App Store)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 💡 Excellent tool
- 🚀 Saves time
- 👍 Handy app
- 👍 User-friendly
- 👍 Great resource

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Closed unexpectedly
- 🐛 Outdated information
- 👎 Color of distance pages makes it unreadable
- 👎 User interface not great

**Reported bugs**

- Bulk packaging information part of CFR 49 won't load

**Requested features**

- Format for larger phones
- Ability to print guide or reference material


### NIMS ICS Guide

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nims-ics-guide/id406880725)

**Currently charting:** #192 Top Paid · Reference (US App Store)

This interactive reference app provides first responders with fast access to incident command information. It features dynamic checklists, customizable contact information, and all-hazards content to support training and on-scene decision-making.

**Highlights:** Dynamic checklists, Incident-specific contact information, Import contacts from address book, Color-coded ICS charts, All-hazards content

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is HazMat Reference free?

HazMat Reference costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is NIMS ICS Guide free?

NIMS ICS Guide costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, HazMat Reference or NIMS ICS Guide?

HazMat Reference is rated higher. HazMat Reference averages 4.8 out of 5 from 1.7K ratings, while NIMS ICS Guide averages 4.1 from 17 ratings.

### Do HazMat Reference or NIMS ICS Guide have ads?

Neither HazMat Reference nor NIMS ICS Guide shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, HazMat Reference or NIMS ICS Guide?

HazMat Reference ships an update every 4 months, and NIMS ICS Guide every 2 months. Most recently, HazMat Reference was updated on October 13, 2026 and NIMS ICS Guide on October 8, 2026.

### Which is more popular, HazMat Reference or NIMS ICS Guide?

HazMat Reference currently peaks at #21 in the App Store charts, and NIMS ICS Guide at #192. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*