# Ref Tools vs ExView®

The clearest difference is rating: ExView® at 5.0 against Ref Tools's 3.9. ExView® also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). Ref Tools's advantage is update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 6 months) 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.

ExView® holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.9. 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.

Ref Tools ships an update every 5 weeks, ExView® every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Ref Tools | ExView® |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.9 (52 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ref-tools/id472312541/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/exview/id1547400277/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **52** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 57.6% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 weeks** | Every 6 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 98 MB | 92 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Danfoss A/S](https://appshunter.io/developer/423984644) | [Extech Instruments Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/966942122) |

## 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


### ExView®

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/exview/id1547400277)

This app connects to compatible meters to collect, trend, and analyze environmental data remotely. It allows for real-time monitoring, setting alarms, and generating custom PDF reports with photos. Data can be easily shared with team members.

**Highlights:** Remote data collection and trending, Real-time dashboard view, Bluetooth connectivity up to 90m, Programmable high/low alarms, Export data as CSV, Generate custom PDF reports, Attach photos to reports

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Ref Tools free?

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

### Is ExView® free?

ExView® is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Ref Tools or ExView®?

ExView® is rated higher. Ref Tools averages 3.9 out of 5 from 52 ratings, while ExView® averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Ref Tools or ExView® have ads?

Neither Ref Tools nor ExView® shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Ref Tools or ExView®?

Ref Tools ships an update every 5 weeks, and ExView® every 6 months. Most recently, Ref Tools was updated on September 26, 2026 and ExView® on September 8, 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.*