# Ref Tools vs Ladder Safety

The clearest difference is update cadence: Ref Tools at monthly against Ladder Safety's every 25 months. Ref Tools also leads on rating (3.9 vs 3.6). Ladder Safety's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume 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 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 52 and 20 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 58% of Ref Tools's written reviews are positive against 60% of Ladder Safety's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Ref Tools ships an update monthly, Ladder Safety every 25 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Ref Tools | Ladder Safety |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.9 (52 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ref-tools/id472312541/reviews)** | [3.6 (20 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ladder-safety/id658633912/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **52** | 20 |
| Positive reviews | 57.6% of reviews | **60.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 25 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 98 MB | 74 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) | [Centers For Disease Control and Prevention](https://appshunter.io/developer/439259253) |

## 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


### Ladder Safety

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ladder-safety/id658633912)

This app helps extension ladder users determine the optimal angle for safe ladder placement using visual and sound signals. It also provides interactive reference materials, safety guidelines, and checklists for ladder selection, inspection, and use.

**Highlights:** Multimodal angle indicator (visual and sound), Optimal ladder positioning guidance, Interactive reference materials, Safety guidelines and checklists, Ladder selection and inspection tips

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Ref Tools free?

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

### Is Ladder Safety free?

Ladder Safety is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Ref Tools or Ladder Safety?

Ref Tools is rated higher. Ref Tools averages 3.9 out of 5 from 52 ratings, while Ladder Safety averages 3.6 from 20 ratings.

### Do Ref Tools or Ladder Safety have ads?

Neither Ref Tools nor Ladder Safety shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Ref Tools or Ladder Safety?

Ref Tools ships an update monthly, and Ladder Safety every 25 months. Most recently, Ref Tools was updated on October 24, 2026 and Ladder Safety on October 23, 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.*