# HazMat Reference vs Cargo Decoder Plus

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | HazMat Reference | Cargo Decoder Plus |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | **$1.99** |
| Rating | **[4.8 (1.7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hazmat-reference/id385775821/reviews)** | [4.3 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cargo-decoder-plus/id520387030/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.7K** | 6 |
| Positive reviews | **95.9% of reviews** | 71.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | **#29** | — |
| Size | 75 MB | 28 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 16.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [ThatsMyStapler Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/337472637) | [Strategies In Software](https://appshunter.io/developer/520387033) |

## What reviewers say

### HazMat Reference

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

**Currently charting:** #29 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


### Cargo Decoder Plus

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cargo-decoder-plus/id520387030)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** 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 Cargo Decoder Plus free?

Cargo Decoder Plus costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, HazMat Reference or Cargo Decoder Plus?

HazMat Reference is rated higher. HazMat Reference averages 4.8 out of 5 from 1.7K ratings, while Cargo Decoder Plus averages 4.3 from 6 ratings.

### Do HazMat Reference or Cargo Decoder Plus have ads?

Neither HazMat Reference nor Cargo Decoder Plus shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, HazMat Reference or Cargo Decoder Plus?

HazMat Reference ships an update every 4 months, and Cargo Decoder Plus monthly. Most recently, HazMat Reference was updated on September 25, 2026 and Cargo Decoder Plus on September 14, 2026.

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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.*