HazMat Reference vs Cargo Decoder Plus
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
Cargo Decoder Plus
Instantly identify hazardous materials by their 4-digit DOT placard number. Access comprehensive safety information from multiple Emergency Response Guidebook editions, even offline. Quickly search by number or material name for critical details.
- Identify materials by DOT placard number
- Access ERG 2024, 2020, 2016, 2012 editions
- Search by UN/NA placard number or material name
- View protective distance and toxic inhalation hazards
- Offline access, no network required
- Learn about GHS classification and labeling
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Cargo Decoder is your guide to what is in the truck or tanker next to you on the highway. Enter the 4 digit number from the DOT placard to learn about a material. See details from both the 2024 Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG 2024) If you need them, ERG 2020, ERG 2016 and ERG 2012 are available too. Powerful search capabilities will help you quickly find information by matching just part of the UN/NA placard number or material name. Protective distance information, toxic inhalation hazards, and ERG2020 reference pages are just a touch away for emergency responders and HazMat personnel. A simple touch quickly gets you to the information you need. Cargo Decoder Plus uses no network bandwidth so information will always be available even if your network is not. - Find safety information on hazardous cargo - Search by name or input DOT number - View ERG2024, ERG2020, ERG2016, or ERG2012 reference pages - Access directly on device, no network connection required - Share information with friends and colleagues - Learn about the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS)
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: HazMat Reference at 4.8 against Cargo Decoder Plus's 4.3. HazMat Reference also leads on ratings volume (1.7K vs 6) and review sentiment (96% vs 71%). Cargo Decoder Plus's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 4 months) and price ($1.99 vs $4.99). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model 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
HazMat Reference costs $4.99 and Cargo Decoder Plus $1.99 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 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: HazMat Reference has 1.7K ratings behind it against 6, 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 71% of Cargo Decoder Plus's.
HazMat Reference ships an update every 4 months, Cargo Decoder Plus monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 14, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | HazMat Reference | Cargo Decoder Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 | $1.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.8 (1.7K ratings) — better | 4.3 (6 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 95.9% of reviews — better | 71.4% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1.7K — better | 6 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #47 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 16.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 75 MB | 28 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | ThatsMyStapler Inc. | Strategies In Software |
Customer experience
HazMat Reference
Cargo Decoder Plus
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
Cargo Decoder Plus
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
HazMat Reference
No in-app purchases
Cargo Decoder Plus
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is HazMat Reference free?
Is Cargo Decoder Plus free?
Which has better reviews, HazMat Reference or Cargo Decoder Plus?
Do HazMat Reference or Cargo Decoder Plus have ads?
Which is updated more often, HazMat Reference or Cargo Decoder Plus?
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