Ref Tools vs TLV ToolBox
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
Read full descriptionHide 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.
TLV ToolBox
This utility app transforms your mobile device into a portable steam calculation tool. It assists with onsite calculations for control valve stations, condensate recovery systems, and various maintenance tasks, reducing the need for multiple trips.
- Steam Tables (saturated and superheated)
- Steam Pipe Sizing
- Condensate Pipe Sizing
- Heating Calculations
- Cv and Kv Values
- Stall Point
Read full descriptionHide full description
Turn your mobile device into a light & portable steam calculation tool with TLV Toolbox. Reduce trips back and forth while working onsite with this valuable tool. Helpful for design or everyday maintenance of control valve stations, condensate recovery systems, and much more! ************************* FEATURES: - Steam Tables (saturated and superheated) - Steam Pipe Sizing - Condensate Pipe Sizing - Heating Calculations - Cv and Kv Values - Stall Point - and more... ************************* * About Us * TLV is internationally established, with companies in 13 countries. A network of over 100 distributors in more than 50 countries enables the speedy provision of engineering support throughout the world. TLV plays a leading role in the promotion of efficient energy systems and increased environmental conservation on a worldwide scale through its original products and services. For further information visit: www.tlv.com Contact us: https://www.tlv.com/global/US/contact-us/contact-form.html
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: TLV ToolBox at 4.5 against Ref Tools's 3.9. TLV ToolBox also leads on review sentiment (75% vs 58%) and iOS requirement (9.3 vs 15.0). Ref Tools's advantage is update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (52 vs 8). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
TLV ToolBox holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ref Tools has 52 ratings behind it against 8, 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 75% of TLV ToolBox's.
Ref Tools ships an update every 6 weeks, TLV ToolBox every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and June 6, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Ref Tools | TLV ToolBox |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.9 (52 ratings) | 4.5 (8 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 57.6% of reviews | 75.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 52 — better | 8 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 9.3 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 98 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Danfoss A/S | TLV CO.,LTD. |
Customer experience
Ref Tools
TLV ToolBox
In-app purchases
Ref Tools
No in-app purchases
TLV ToolBox
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Ref Tools free?
Is TLV ToolBox free?
Which has better reviews, Ref Tools or TLV ToolBox?
Do Ref Tools or TLV ToolBox have ads?
Which is updated more often, Ref Tools or TLV ToolBox?
Other comparisons















