Comparison

irBoard vs Ruler

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

Head to head
About

irBoard

Features
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Using irBoard, you can conveniently monitor the status and operation of FA equipment and IoT devices through an iPad or any other iOS device. The control device known as a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) has communication protocols. irBoard communicate with PLCs via its protocol. Additionally, it has the capability to communicate effectively with IoT devices, specifically the ESP32 device at present. You don’t need additional software besides irBoard because the screen editor is already included. ===================================== Before making any purchase, we recommend trying out the irBoard Lite free edition. If the price is suitable for your needs, we recommend upgrading to the paid edition. ===================================== FEATURE: - You can conveniently monitor the status and operation of FA equipment and IoT devices. - Although the FA equipment has fixed touch panels installed, the irBoard on iOS devices offers superior portability. - It is possible to remotely check the status of a device in PLCs. - To ensure safety, manipulating connected PLC devices is only allowed on a single iOS device. - By switching projects, you can easily connect to multiple FA machines using just one iOS device. - irBoard supports the following PLCs via Ethernet connection: MITSUBISHI Electric, KEYENCE, OMRON, and YOKOGAWA Electric, and support Modbus/TCP. - It can also connect to an open-source PLC LadderDrive running on Raspberry Pi. (https://github.com/ito-soft-design/ladder_drive) - The irBoard Library for ESP32 library supports ESP32 devices.(https://github.com/ito-soft-design/irboard_esp32) - The irBoard.NET library supports Windows .NET applications.(https://github.com/ito-soft-design/irboard-dotnet) - Using the LadderDrive protocol, allows for communication with IoT devices such as ESP32 without any difficulty. - The screen editor has already been included. it is easy for you to make modifications to the pages. ===================================== --- Notes --- With irBoard, you have the ability to turn devices on and off. If you require the interlocking of PLC-controlled devices, it is necessary to configure this on the PLC. To ensure safety, we suggest setting the status of such devices to read-only. You can monitor the health status to determine if the connection is stable. If the connection is lost, it’s important to take precautionary measures when operating your PLC. =====================================

About

Ruler

This app displays various measurement scales for length, including meters and inches. It allows users to set magnification ratios and reduced scales for different applications. Users can calibrate the ruler and adjust PPI settings for accurate measurements.

Highlights
  • Display various measurement scales
  • Set magnification ratios
  • Set reduced scales
  • Measure in meters and inches
  • Free mode for custom scales
  • Calibration for accuracy
  • PPI setting
Features
Read full description

Scale Ruler is the simple application to display the scale of various measurement units. ※ Warning: - The accuracy of the scales cannot be guaranteed. - Calibration and PPI values ​​will be reset when the model changes. - Set the PPI value only when the model is undecided. - When you change the PPI value, perform calibration after the change. ■How to use: ■Select mode In UNLOCKED state, after choosing measurement unit, magnification ratio and reduced scale, the scale is displayed. ■Free mode When dragging the screen at UNLOCK, you can set the scale in the range 1: 1 to 1: 100. When you press and hold the scale value, the keyboard is displayed and you can enter the scale. You can lock the scale on the ruler with a switch. Sorry for the advertisement during unlocking. After In-App Purchase, your ads will no longer be displayed. Specification of Scale Ruler - measure length meter,inches - magnification ratio 50% , 70.7% , 100% , 141% , 200% - reduced scale  for meter    1:100 , 1:150 , 1:200 , 1:250 , 1:300 , 1:400 , 1:500 , 1:600  for inch   1:1 , 1:1.5 , 1:2 , 1:2.5 , 1:3 , 1:4 , 1:5 , 1:6  for inch(Architectural)   1:1 , 1:2 , 1:4 , 1:8 , 1:12 , 1:16 , 1:24 , 1:32 , 1:48 , 1:64   1:96 , 1:128 , 1:192 , 1:384  for inch(Engineering) 1:120 , 1:240 , 1:360 , 1:480 , 1:600 , 1:720 1:800 , 1:960 , 1:1080 ■ Settings - Calibration - PPI (pixels per inch) setting - In-app purchase (ads not displayed) - In-app purchase restoration ■ Calibration Adjust the length of the ruler. Use the correct ruler for adjustment. "Calibration" button: Records the adjusted state and reflects the calibration result on the ruler. "Reset" button: Returns the adjustment status to the specified value. It will not be recorded. "Initialize" button: Returns the adjustment status to the specified value and reflects it on the ruler. * Caution: The calibration value will be reset when the model changes. ■ PPI (pixels per inch) setting If the model is undecided, check the PPI value of the model before setting the PPI value. * Please set only when the model is undecided. "OK" button: Record the entered PPI value and reflect it on the ruler display. "Initialize" button: Returns the PPI value to the specified value and reflects it on the ruler. * Caution: The PPI value will be reset when the model changes.

Screenshots

irBoard4 screens
Ruler4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Ruler at Free against irBoard's $599.99. irBoard's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On device support and iOS requirement 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

Ruler is free to download; irBoard costs $599.99 up front. Ruler sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. irBoard asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

irBoard ships an update every 3 weeks, Ruler every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on August 3, 2026 and June 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
irBoard versus Ruler: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterirBoardRuler
Price$599.99Free — better
Rating—3.7 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—63.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—3 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size40 MB4 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperITO SOFT DESIGN Inc.mitsunori oishi

In-app purchases

None

irBoard

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Ruler

One-time1
  • Hide Ads$0.99

Questions

Is irBoard free?
irBoard costs $599.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Ruler free?
Ruler is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do irBoard or Ruler have ads?
Ruler shows ads; irBoard does not.
Which is updated more often, irBoard or Ruler?
irBoard ships an update every 3 weeks, and Ruler every 5 months. Most recently, irBoard was updated on August 3, 2026 and Ruler on June 1, 2026.

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