Comparison

Ref Tools vs Bluon HVAC

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

Head to head
About

Ref Tools

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
Read full description

Get the guidance, support, information, and tools you need—on the job and in the field. Ref Tools is a free, powerful app that contains essential tools every HVACR technician needs in their digital toolbelt. Ref Tools offers a collection of useful air conditioning and refrigeration tools: Refrigerant Slider As a featured part of Ref Tools, you get all the features and functionality that made Refrigerant Slider a hit with millions of installers around the world. Quickly calculate pressure/temperature ratios and find essential information on over 80 refrigerants. Magnetic Tool Test and troubleshoot solenoid valve coils quickly and easily. Troubleshooter Get help diagnosing issues in refrigeration systems, so you can quickly identify symptoms and find recommended solutions. Product Finder Find extensive product-related data in one place. Search by product code number or product category to access and share product specifications, documentation, visuals, and more. Spare Parts Access and order an extensive list of Danfoss spare parts and service kits for air conditioning and refrigeration applications. Low-GWP Tool Find and compare climate-friendly refrigerants for retrofitting by checking compatibility with the TXV. TXV Superheat Tuner Optimize superheat in less than 15 minutes. Using advanced algorithms, TXV Superheat Tuner provides valve-specific adjustment recommendations. Podcasts The workday can be full and the road long, so Ref Tools also provides you with some educational entertainment. You can listen to podcasts, including the popular Chilling with Jens podcast, directly in the app. So, take a break and chill out a bit while learning something new about refrigeration. More about Refrigerant Slider Refrigerant Slider, now a part of Ref Tools, helps you quickly calculate the pressure-to-temperature ratio for more than 80 refrigerants, including natural refrigerants such as ammonia and transcritical CO2. Refrigerant Slider also provides you with information about each refrigerant, including Global Warming Potential (GWP) and Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP). You can switch between the IPCC AR4 and AR5 values, where AR4 values are used in relation to the European F-Gas regulations. Refrigerant Slider’s P/T calculations use extended curve–fitting models based on Refprop 10 results. You can also see both dew and bubble point for refrigerants with glide. Streamline your workflow Ref Tools goes beyond just providing quick access to helpful tools; it helps you save time by allowing you to track your most visited service sites and save unique settings for each one. Simplify each service call with ease. Feedback Your input matters – we would love to hear it from you. We're committed to continuously improving Ref Tools to meet your needs. If you encounter a bug or have a feature suggestion, please use the in-app feedback function available in Settings. Alternatively, you can reach us via email at coolapp@danfoss.com. Danfoss Climate Solutions At Danfoss Climate Solutions, we engineer energy-efficient solutions to help the world get more out of less. Our innovative products and solutions enable a decarbonized, digital, and more sustainable tomorrow, and our technology supports a cost-efficient transition to renewable energy sources. With a strong foundation in quality, people, and the climate, we drive the energy, refrigerant, and food system transitions needed to achieve climate goals. Read more about us at www.danfoss.com. Terms and Conditions apply for use of the app.

About

Bluon HVAC

Access a vast database of HVAC models, manuals, and part lists to speed up your work. Utilize an AI-powered troubleshooting tool or connect with experienced technicians for real-time support.

Highlights
  • 500,000+ HVAC unit database
  • Manuals and part lists
  • AI troubleshooting tool (MasterMechanic)
  • Live support from veteran techs
  • HVAC industry upgrade tools
Features
Read full description

Bluon provides the technical information and support to tackle any job in HVAC-R and plumbing. Scan or search for any unit to find the documentation on over 35,000,000+ HVAC models across virtual every brand. Instantly access the key model specs, age/warranty, manuals, original parts, part specs, and replacement options. See which suppliers carry which part - you can even text/email them or order directly through their website. Get detailed troubleshooting guidance from MasterMechanic, our custom A.l. built with the database and with the problem/solution knowledge of over 135,000 live support calls, or call our Live Tech Support line to connect to our team of 25+ year veteran technicians. Bluon has your back. App Features Include: - Database of 35,000,000+ HVAC units (manuals, specs and part lists) - Master Mechanic: leading A.I. tool for techs - Live Support line: talk to REAL veteran techs to solve problems in the field!

Screenshots

Ref Tools4 screens
Bluon HVAC4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Bluon HVAC at 4.8 against Ref Tools's 3.9. Bluon HVAC also leads on ratings volume (4.5K vs 52). Ref Tools's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs ad-supported). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and in-app purchases 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

Bluon HVAC holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Bluon HVAC has 4.5K ratings behind it against 52, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 58% of Ref Tools's written reviews are positive against 55% of Bluon HVAC's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Ref Tools ships an update every 5 weeks, Bluon HVAC monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Ref Tools versus Bluon HVAC: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRef ToolsBluon HVAC
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (52 ratings)4.8 (4.5K ratings) — better
Positive reviews57.6% of reviews — better54.6% of reviews
Number of ratings524.5K — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksMonthly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterAd-supported
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size98 MB170 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDanfoss A/SBluon, Inc.

Customer experience

Ref Tools

All ratings52 ratings
Positive73.1%
Neutral3.8%
Negative23.1%
Written reviews66 reviews
Positive57.6%
Neutral7.6%
Negative34.8%

Bluon HVAC

All ratings4,451 ratings
Positive94.4%
Neutral1.6%
Negative4.0%
Written reviews141 reviews
Positive54.6%
Neutral6.4%
Negative39.0%

User reviews

Ref Tools

From 52 App Store ratings

What we love

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

Room to improve

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

Bluon HVAC

From 4.5K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🤖 Helpful tech support
  • 💯 Comprehensive database of manuals and information
  • 🛠️ Useful tools and calculators
  • 🤝 Great customer service

Room to improve

  • 💰 Paywall for advanced features
  • 🔒 Limited access without company account
  • 🔍 Missing manuals for some equipment models
  • 🗣️ Removal of helpful forums

Bugs and requests

Ref Tools

Reported bugs

27 issues
  • 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
Show 22 more
  • Crash au lancement since update
  • Will not save to Home Screen
  • Incorrect PT Charting for r134a
  • Information doesn’t slide down
  • Crashes on iOS12.1.4
  • App won’t open since previous update
  • List of refrigerants shifted upwards on iPhone 10
  • Stuck on R134a, needs update for current iOS
  • R744A only goes to 60 psi
  • Scale did not go low enough for deep vacuum
  • Missing R22 on Apple version
  • Missing R717 (Ammonia)
  • Missing R-22
  • Missing R124a
  • No longer lists Ammonia
  • Missing Refrigerants since app update
  • Missing Ammonia and CO2
  • r410a is missing since update
  • Removed r22, 410a, and 407c
  • Refrigerants missing now
  • Removed slider for ammonia
  • Scale doesn't go into vacuum

Requested features

18 requests
  • More residential AC information
  • Troubleshooter for Residential & Commercial
  • Add SP22 refrigerant
  • Add R-11 refrigerant
  • Add R-123 range down to 40 degrees
Show 13 more
  • Add R744 and R744A to 0 psia
  • Scale to go lower for R-123 vacuum
  • Add R410a
  • Add R407c
  • Add R404A
  • Add R22
  • Add R124a
  • Add Ammonia
  • Add CO2
  • Add R717 (Ammonia)
  • Scale going higher on CO2
  • Setting for high altitude
  • Scale to go into vacuum

Bluon HVAC

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Login/password reset issues
  • Frequent crashes or loading problems

Requested features

3 requests
  • Individual technician subscription option
  • More comprehensive coverage of HVAC equipment models
  • Ability to access full manuals without restrictions

In-app purchases

None

Ref Tools

No in-app purchases

None

Bluon HVAC

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Ref Tools free?
Ref Tools is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Bluon HVAC free?
Bluon HVAC is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Ref Tools or Bluon HVAC?
Bluon HVAC is rated higher. Ref Tools averages 3.9 out of 5 from 52 ratings, while Bluon HVAC averages 4.8 from 4.5K ratings.
Do Ref Tools or Bluon HVAC have ads?
Bluon HVAC shows ads; Ref Tools does not.
Which is updated more often, Ref Tools or Bluon HVAC?
Ref Tools ships an update every 5 weeks, and Bluon HVAC monthly. Most recently, Ref Tools was updated on October 7, 2026 and Bluon HVAC on October 13, 2026.

Other comparisons