# Ref Tools vs Prentis

The clearest difference is rating: Prentis at 5.0 against Ref Tools's 3.9. Prentis also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 58%) and update cadence (every 5 days vs monthly). Ref Tools's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (52 vs 4). On price, ads and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Prentis sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $49.00 per month. Ref Tools asks for nothing beyond the download.

Prentis 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 4, 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 100% of Prentis's.

Ref Tools ships an update monthly, Prentis every 5 days. Both last shipped on November 5, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Ref Tools | Prentis |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.9 (52 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ref-tools/id472312541/reviews) | **[5.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/prentis-hvac-troubleshooting/id6775908816/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **52** | 4 |
| Positive reviews | 57.6% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Size | 98 MB | 110 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Danfoss A/S](https://appshunter.io/developer/423984644) | [Prentis Technologies, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/6775908818) |

## 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


### Prentis

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/prentis-hvac-troubleshooting/id6775908816)

This app provides hands-free HVAC troubleshooting using voice commands. It helps technicians diagnose issues faster, identify more service opportunities, and generate customer-ready summaries. It supports numerous HVAC makes and models with detailed, model-specific repair guidance.

**Highlights:** Hands-free voice-guided diagnosis, Nameplate scanning for model-specific specs, Step-by-step troubleshooting procedures, Model-specific repair guidance, Reads diagrams and nameplates, Refrigerant safety and EPA 608 flagging

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Prentis Premium | $49.00 | per month |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Ref Tools free?

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

### Is Prentis free?

Prentis is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Ref Tools or Prentis?

Prentis is rated higher. Ref Tools averages 3.9 out of 5 from 52 ratings, while Prentis averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.

### Do Ref Tools or Prentis have ads?

Neither Ref Tools nor Prentis shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Ref Tools or Prentis?

Ref Tools ships an update monthly, and Prentis every 5 days. Most recently, Ref Tools was updated on November 5, 2026 and Prentis on November 5, 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.*