# Ref Tools vs Carel Applica

The clearest difference is rating: Ref Tools at 3.9 against Carel Applica's 1.0. Ref Tools also leads on review sentiment (58% vs 21%) and ratings volume (52 vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ref Tools has 52 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 58% of Ref Tools's written reviews are positive against 21% of Carel Applica's.

Ref Tools ships an update every 5 weeks, Carel Applica every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Ref Tools | Carel Applica |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.9 (52 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ref-tools/id472312541/reviews)** | [1.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/carel-applica/id1446014385/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **52** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | **57.6% of reviews** | 21.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 weeks** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 98 MB | 52 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Danfoss A/S](https://appshunter.io/developer/423984644) | [CAREL INDUSTRIES S.p.A.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1797037609) |

## 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


### Carel Applica

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/carel-applica/id1446014385)

This app allows users to interact with CAREL's new generation of parametric and programmable controllers. It offers a simplified user experience for managing functions, parameters, and data trends with access control based on user type.

**Highlights:** Parameter management with descriptions, Local and remote configuration management, Live and historical data trend management, Exportable data trends, Controller documentation access, Device information retrieval

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Ref Tools free?

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

### Is Carel Applica free?

Carel Applica is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Ref Tools or Carel Applica?

Ref Tools is rated higher. Ref Tools averages 3.9 out of 5 from 52 ratings, while Carel Applica averages 1.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Ref Tools or Carel Applica have ads?

Neither Ref Tools nor Carel Applica shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Ref Tools or Carel Applica?

Ref Tools ships an update every 5 weeks, and Carel Applica every 3 months. Most recently, Ref Tools was updated on October 7, 2026 and Carel Applica on October 2, 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.*