# HazMat Reference vs CA Vehicle Code 2026

The clearest difference is price: HazMat Reference at $4.99 against CA Vehicle Code 2026's $19.99. HazMat Reference also leads on review sentiment (96% vs 57%) and rating (4.8 vs 4.3). On update cadence, ads, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

HazMat Reference costs $4.99 and CA Vehicle Code 2026 $19.99 up front. CA Vehicle Code 2026 sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. HazMat Reference asks for nothing beyond the download.

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 26, 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 57% of CA Vehicle Code 2026's.

HazMat Reference ships an update every 4 months, CA Vehicle Code 2026 every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | HazMat Reference | CA Vehicle Code 2026 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$4.99** | $19.99 |
| Rating | **[4.8 (1.7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hazmat-reference/id385775821/reviews)** | [4.3 (26 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ca-vehicle-code-2026/id790424885/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.7K** | 26 |
| Positive reviews | **95.9% of reviews** | 57.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 months** | Every 6 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | **#15** | #198 |
| Size | 75 MB | 97 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ThatsMyStapler Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/337472637) | [PDA Wizard](https://appshunter.io/developer/318990555) |

## What reviewers say

### HazMat Reference

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

**Currently charting:** #15 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


### CA Vehicle Code 2026

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ca-vehicle-code-2026/id790424885)

**Currently charting:** #198 Top Paid · Reference (US App Store)

Access the complete California Vehicle Code offline on your iPhone or iPad. Search for specific sections quickly, read them aloud, and share or print them. This efficient app requires no internet connection and offers both portrait and landscape viewing.

**Highlights:** Full California Vehicle Code text, Real-time section number search, Fast full-text search, Email or print sections, Read sections aloud, Offline access

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| CA Vehicle Code 2015 Statutes | $4.99 | one-time |
| CA Vehicle Code 2016 Statutes | $4.99 | one-time |
| CA Vehicle Code 2017 Statutes | $4.99 | one-time |
| CA Vehicle Code 2018 Statutes | $5.99 | one-time |
| CA Vehicle Code 2019 Statutes | $6.99 | one-time |
| CA Vehicle Code 2020 Statutes | $8.99 | one-time |
| CA Vehicle Code 2022 Statutes | $9.99 | one-time |
| CA Vehicle Code 2023 Statutes | $9.99 | one-time |
| CA Vehicle Code 2024 Statutes | $9.99 | one-time |
| CA Vehicle Code 2026 Statutes | $19.99 | one-time |
| CA Vehicle Code 2025 Statutes | $19.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is HazMat Reference free?

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

### Is CA Vehicle Code 2026 free?

CA Vehicle Code 2026 costs $19.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, HazMat Reference or CA Vehicle Code 2026?

HazMat Reference is rated higher. HazMat Reference averages 4.8 out of 5 from 1.7K ratings, while CA Vehicle Code 2026 averages 4.3 from 26 ratings.

### Do HazMat Reference or CA Vehicle Code 2026 have ads?

Neither HazMat Reference nor CA Vehicle Code 2026 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, HazMat Reference or CA Vehicle Code 2026?

HazMat Reference ships an update every 4 months, and CA Vehicle Code 2026 every 6 months. Most recently, HazMat Reference was updated on October 13, 2026 and CA Vehicle Code 2026 on October 9, 2026.

### Which is more popular, HazMat Reference or CA Vehicle Code 2026?

HazMat Reference currently peaks at #15 in the App Store charts, and CA Vehicle Code 2026 at #198. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

---

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