Comparison

Private DB vs Ninox Database for iPhone

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Private DB

Easily view and manage SQLite databases on your mobile device. Import data from various sources like CSV or tab-delimited files, and search or sort through your tables. Ideal for IT managers and data publishers who need to distribute data without modification.

Highlights
  • Import CSV and tab-delimited text files
  • Load databases from web, email, Dropbox, iTunes
  • Searchable and sortable tables
  • Execute SQL commands
  • Create views on tables
  • Sort on up to three fields
Features
Read full description

Private DB lets you load and view databases and CSV files on your mobile devices. NOTE: You can view and sort and search tables with this app, but cannot add, edit or delete rows. To do that, please use General DB. With Private DB, your rows are: * Searchable * Sortable * Selectable This app is great for IT managers who want to distribute company data in table form, and don't want to worry about their users modifying the data. It is also ideal for publishers of reference data tables, who do not want their users tampering with the data. Some capabilities: - Download and switch SQLite databases - Download and import CSV text files - Download and execute SQL files - Sort on up to three fields - Search on any field - Execute SQL commands in the SQL Console - Create views on tables to reorder or select a subset of fields - Create virtual tables from CSV files for easier interoperability with your databases.

About

Ninox Database for iPhone

Create custom databases and business applications for work and personal use. Digitize workflows, manage data, and collaborate with teams across devices without coding. Offers templates for various needs like CRM, inventory, and invoicing.

Highlights
  • Create custom databases
  • Build business apps without code
  • Team collaboration and real-time sync
  • Import/export data
  • Pre-built templates
  • Formula editor for calculations
  • API integration
Read full description

Ninox is an easy-to-use database app for your iPhone, iPad, and Mac to help you and your team create, connect, and collaborate with databases. Build tailor-made business apps and databases, also for CRM and ERP, without a single line of code. Digitize your organization, improve your workflows, and become more productive. The Ninox platform is used by individuals, start-ups, agencies, small businesses, and enterprises in a wide range of industries. Ninox provides a large number of use cases, such as inventory, invoicing, accounting, CRM, event management, and real estate. BEST OF THE APP STORE DATABASES "I found it easy to create databases and tables, to import and export data, design appropriate layouts, powerful filtering for fields, and also a very good formula field. Easily the best of the App Store databases." - Alan W - SO MUCH MORE THAN A DATABASE "This really is an outstanding product. More than “just” a database, it’s an entire application development platform." - Andy M - ►SHARE DATA ACROSS ALL YOUR DEVICES Ninox is available for • iPhone • iPad • Mac • Web To sync data on multiple devices, install Ninox on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Download the iPhone, iPad, and Mac apps for free. ►CORE FEATURES • Databases • Tables • Fields • Forms • Views • Import/export • Search • Print • Script • API integration • Manual and automatic backups ►COLLABORATE WITH YOUR TEAM • Real-time sync across devices • Invite collaborators • Set flexible access permissions • Share data with teams • Sync calendar ►TEMPLATES • Contacts • Custom CRM • Inventory • Invoices • Projects • And much more! ►CUSTOMIZE TO YOUR NEEDS • Create forms, fields, and triggers • Smart relations between tables • Build calculations with formula editor Privacy Policy: http://ninox.com/en/clean/privacy General Terms and Conditions: http://ninox.com/en/clean/terms

Screenshots

Private DB4 screens
Ninox Database for iPhone4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Private DB at 4.6 against Ninox Database for iPhone's 4.1. Private DB also leads on ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). Ninox Database for iPhone's advantage is review sentiment (71% vs 50%) and update cadence (fortnightly vs monthly). On price, ratings volume, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Private DB holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 75 and 87 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 50% of Private DB's written reviews are positive against 71% of Ninox Database for iPhone's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Private DB ships an update monthly, Ninox Database for iPhone fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Private DB versus Ninox Database for iPhone: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPrivate DBNinox Database for iPhone
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (75 ratings) — better4.1 (87 ratings)
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews70.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings7587 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyFortnightly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS18.613.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB73 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPortable DatabasesNinox Software GmbH

Customer experience

Private DB

All ratings75 ratings
Positive89.3%
Neutral4.0%
Negative6.7%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative30.0%

Ninox Database for iPhone

All ratings87 ratings
Positive72.4%
Neutral10.3%
Negative17.2%
Written reviews110 reviews
Positive70.9%
Neutral10.9%
Negative18.2%

Bugs and requests

Private DB

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Ninox Database for iPhone

Reported bugs

12 issues
  • Data not always syncing between devices
  • Time entry issues (e.g., 10:10:00 appears as 11:10:00)
  • iPhone app shows black screen
  • Last update wiped out all information
  • App won't open after update
Show 7 more
  • Trouble touching commands at top/bottom of screen on iPhone XS
  • iCloud sync not working reliably
  • Databases not appearing across devices
  • App hangs or is slow with large databases
  • Interface peculiarities (e.g., no finger scrolling)
  • Bugs in new versions
  • Version gets stuck on update

Requested features

17 requests
  • Manual sync option
  • Password protection for databases
  • Auto-backup feature for cloud databases
  • Web form with API access
  • Dark mode option
Show 12 more
  • Hierarchical choice options in choice function
  • User manual PDF for iPhone app
  • Indicator for iCloud sync status
  • More features available on Mac app (e.g., duplicate table)
  • Ability to group location suburbs or sort by suburb
  • Selective queries and advanced logic examples
  • NX Scripting examples and documentation
  • Option to manually force sync
  • Improve iPhone app UI to match iPad app
  • Add reporting capabilities
  • Allow changing attachment save path
  • Add VB or SQL backend for custom code

In-app purchases

None

Private DB

No in-app purchases

None

Ninox Database for iPhone

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Private DB free?
Private DB is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Ninox Database for iPhone free?
Ninox Database for iPhone is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Private DB or Ninox Database for iPhone?
Private DB is rated higher. Private DB averages 4.6 out of 5 from 75 ratings, while Ninox Database for iPhone averages 4.1 from 87 ratings.
Do Private DB or Ninox Database for iPhone have ads?
Ninox Database for iPhone shows ads; Private DB does not.
Which is updated more often, Private DB or Ninox Database for iPhone?
Private DB ships an update monthly, and Ninox Database for iPhone fortnightly. Most recently, Private DB was updated on October 2, 2026 and Ninox Database for iPhone on October 9, 2026.

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