BulletDrop+ vs Kestrel LiNK Ballistics
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
BulletDrop+
Calculate bullet trajectory, energy, and drift with precise inputs. Store custom loads, fetch weather data, and choose output units for accurate shooting predictions. Ideal for handloaders and shooters to understand cartridge performance.
- External ballistics calculation
- iCloud support for load data
- Store commonly used datasets
- Selectable drag function
- Selectable output units (inches, MOA, mils)
- Fetch weather conditions
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A simple, easy to use external ballistics calculator. It accepts inputs of bullet weight, ballistic coefficient, muzzle velocity, sight height, zero range, wind speed & angle, etc and calculates velocity, energy, flight path, and drift. Features: * iCloud support. Store load data on iCloud and have it available on all your iCloud-enabled iOS devices. * Clean & simple user interface. * Store commonly used datasets. * Selectable drag function for ballistic coefficients calculate based upon models. * Selectable output units: inches, MOA, & mils. * Selectable max range and range increments under Settings. * Fetch weather conditions for your location. BulletDrop+ is intended for hand loaders and shooters of all varieties. It give them an idea what various cartridges and load recipes will do at the range. As alway, the information provided by BulletDrop+, or any other calculator, is no substitute for actual range time. Get out and shoot!
Kestrel LiNK Ballistics
Manage your connected Kestrel Ballistics device to enhance shooting accuracy. Create and store gun profiles, access extensive bullet libraries, and view shooting solutions remotely. The app also facilitates firmware updates for your device.
- Gun profile management
- Access bullet libraries
- Remote target viewing
- Custom target creation
- Printable range cards
- Firmware updates
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The Kestrel LiNK® Ballistics App gives you the ability to manage key features and functions of your connected Kestrel Ballistics device to maximize convenience and boost your shooting performance. Quickly and easily create, upload, download, and store gun profiles and access the Applied Ballistics and Hornady libraries of lab-tested bullet parameters and profiles for use in your Kestrel Ballistics Meter using the Gun Profile Manager(1). Place your Kestrel in the vane mount on a tripod (sold separately) to view solutions remotely from your shooting position on your mobile device using Single Target Mode. Create and send up to 10 custom targets to your Kestrel or export a printable range card using Target Card Mode(2). The Kestrel LiNK Ballistics app also allows you to easily update the firmware in any LiNK-enabled Kestrel Ballistics meter or HUD so you always have the latest features and improvements. * Kestrel 5700 Elite Weather Meter with Applied Ballistics, Kestrel 5700 with Hornady 4DOF, Kestrel 5700 Ballistics Weather Meter, 2700 Ballistics Weather Meter, and Kestrel HUD Heads Up Display (1) Kestrel 5700 Elite Weather Meters with Applied Ballistics can access Applied Ballistics G1 & G7 BCs and AB Custom Drag Models. Kestrel 5700 and 2700 Ballistics Weather Meters can access Applied Ballistics G1 & G7 BCs. Kestrel 5700 Ballistics Weather Meters with Hornady 4DOF can access Hornady G1 & G7 BCs and Hornady Bullet Files. (2) Target Card Mode available on Kestrel 5700 Elite Models only.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: BulletDrop+ at 3.9 against Kestrel LiNK Ballistics's 2.9. BulletDrop+ also leads on review sentiment (51% vs 24%) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). Kestrel LiNK Ballistics's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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. BulletDrop+ sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Kestrel LiNK Ballistics asks for nothing beyond the download.
BulletDrop+ holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 2.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 83 and 63 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 51% of BulletDrop+'s written reviews are positive against 24% of Kestrel LiNK Ballistics's.
BulletDrop+ ships an update every 4 months, Kestrel LiNK Ballistics every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | BulletDrop+ | Kestrel LiNK Ballistics |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.9 (83 ratings) — better | 2.9 (63 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 51.4% of reviews — better | 24.1% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 83 — better | 63 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 3 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 2 MB | 29 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Mark Descalzo | Nielsen-Kellerman Co. |
Customer experience
BulletDrop+
Kestrel LiNK Ballistics
In-app purchases
BulletDrop+
- Chocolate Bar$0.99
- Cup of Coffee$1.99
- Doughnut$2.99
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- Coffee-themed Beverage$4.99
- Bag of Coffee$14.99
- Sack of Coffee$29.99
Kestrel LiNK Ballistics
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is BulletDrop+ free?
Is Kestrel LiNK Ballistics free?
Which has better reviews, BulletDrop+ or Kestrel LiNK Ballistics?
Do BulletDrop+ or Kestrel LiNK Ballistics have ads?
Which is updated more often, BulletDrop+ or Kestrel LiNK Ballistics?
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