# Ref Tools vs Elitech iCold

The clearest difference is rating: Ref Tools at 3.9 against Elitech iCold's 3.3. Ref Tools also leads on review sentiment (58% vs 48%). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

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

Ref Tools holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 52 and 86 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 58% of Ref Tools's written reviews are positive against 48% of Elitech iCold's.

Ref Tools ships an update every 5 weeks, Elitech iCold monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Ref Tools | Elitech iCold |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.9 (52 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ref-tools/id472312541/reviews)** | [3.3 (86 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/elitech-icold/id1135776301/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 52 | **86** |
| Positive reviews | **57.6% of reviews** | 47.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 98 MB | 174 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Danfoss A/S](https://appshunter.io/developer/423984644) | [Elitech Technology,Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1455057713) |

## What reviewers say

### Ref Tools

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ref-tools/id472312541)

This app provides HVACR technicians with essential tools and information for field service. It includes refrigerant calculators, troubleshooting guides, product finders, and access to spare parts. Listen to educational podcasts to enhance your knowledge on the go.

**Highlights:** Refrigerant Slider for P/T calculations, Solenoid valve coil testing tool, Refrigeration system troubleshooting guide, Product data finder, Spare parts ordering, Low-GWP refrigerant comparison, TXV Superheat optimization, Educational podcasts

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Useful tool for HVAC/R techs
- 👍 Great idea for an app
- 👍 Best refrigeration and hvac app
- 👍 Useful App for HVACR
- 👍 Brilliant app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes instantly on launch
- 🐛 App won’t open on iPhone
- 🐛 Flashes up and disappears
- 🐛 Cannot open app
- 🐛 Immediately shuts off

**Reported bugs**

- CRASHED instantly on Mac Mini M4
- App won’t open on iPhone
- App flashes up and disappears
- Cannot open app
- Immediately shuts off since recent release

**Requested features**

- More residential AC information
- Troubleshooter for Residential & Commercial
- Add SP22 refrigerant
- Add R-11 refrigerant
- Add R-123 range down to 40 degrees


### Elitech iCold

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/elitech-icold/id1135776301)

This cloud-based platform allows remote, real-time monitoring of temperature, humidity, and location for sensitive goods during transport and storage. It ensures the efficacy and safety of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, food, and chemicals by providing constant condition updates.

**Highlights:** Cloud-based platform, Remote real-time monitoring, Temperature tracking, Humidity tracking, Location tracking, Goods condition monitoring

**Features:** Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Hardware capabilities are impressive
- 👍 Good price-performance ratio
- 👍 Works as intended when configured
- 👍 Intuitive interface (for some)
- 👍 Useful for remote monitoring

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App needs significant work
- 🐛 WiFi connection issues
- 🐛 Poorly written documentation
- 🐛 App not ready for use
- 🐛 Bad translation and untranslated fields

**Reported bugs**

- Password policy is weak
- Charts only show up to 100 degrees F
- Power consumption option doesn't work
- Cannot connect device to WiFi
- Repeated attempts to connect to WiFi fail

**Requested features**

- Option to use Google, Yahoo, iCloud for login
- Schedule on/off option
- Intermittent on/off option for fans
- Option to show humidity reading on main screen
- Scheduling for different temperature settings (day/night)


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Ref Tools free?

Ref Tools is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Elitech iCold free?

Elitech iCold is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Ref Tools or Elitech iCold?

Ref Tools is rated higher. Ref Tools averages 3.9 out of 5 from 52 ratings, while Elitech iCold averages 3.3 from 86 ratings.

### Do Ref Tools or Elitech iCold have ads?

Neither Ref Tools nor Elitech iCold shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Ref Tools or Elitech iCold?

Ref Tools ships an update every 5 weeks, and Elitech iCold monthly. Most recently, Ref Tools was updated on October 7, 2026 and Elitech iCold on October 12, 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.*