# Ref Tools vs ARC Facilities Premier

The clearest difference is rating: ARC Facilities Premier at 5.0 against Ref Tools's 3.9. Ref Tools's advantage is ratings volume (52 vs 8) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ARC Facilities Premier 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 8, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Ref Tools ships an update every 5 weeks, ARC Facilities Premier every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Ref Tools | ARC Facilities Premier |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.9 (52 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ref-tools/id472312541/reviews) | **[5.0 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arc-facilities-premier/id6739283887/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **52** | 8 |
| Positive reviews | 57.6% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 98 MB | 267 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Danfoss A/S](https://appshunter.io/developer/423984644) | [ARC Document Solutions, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/540965287) |

## 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


### ARC Facilities Premier

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arc-facilities-premier/id6739283887)

Access critical building information instantly from your mobile device. Technicians can quickly find As-Builts, shutoffs, equipment details, and emergency data. This app streamlines field operations, saving time and improving response to any situation.

**Highlights:** Instant access to building information, Locate As-Builts and shutoffs, QR code scanning for equipment details, Annotate maps and plans, Online and offline document access, Cloud synchronization, Compliance documentation management

**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 ARC Facilities Premier free?

ARC Facilities Premier is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Ref Tools or ARC Facilities Premier?

ARC Facilities Premier is rated higher. Ref Tools averages 3.9 out of 5 from 52 ratings, while ARC Facilities Premier averages 5.0 from 8 ratings.

### Do Ref Tools or ARC Facilities Premier have ads?

Neither Ref Tools nor ARC Facilities Premier shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Ref Tools or ARC Facilities Premier?

Ref Tools ships an update every 5 weeks, and ARC Facilities Premier every 3 weeks. Most recently, Ref Tools was updated on October 7, 2026 and ARC Facilities Premier on October 12, 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.*