# GHIN vs Handicap Tracker

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Handicap Tracker at 73% against GHIN's 26%. Handicap Tracker also leads on monetization model (ad-supported vs free with in-app purchases). GHIN's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (21K vs 209). On price, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. GHIN sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $49.99 per year and Handicap Tracker sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

GHIN holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: GHIN has 21K ratings behind it against 209, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 26% of GHIN's written reviews are positive against 73% of Handicap Tracker's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | GHIN | Handicap Tracker |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (21K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ghin/id491796218/reviews)** | [4.6 (209 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/handicap-tracker/id1282158690/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **21K** | 209 |
| Positive reviews | 26.1% of reviews | **72.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Best chart rank | **#26** | — |
| Size | 359 MB | 25 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [United States Golf Association](https://appshunter.io/developer/319204553) | [corey smith](https://appshunter.io/developer/1273550234) |

## What reviewers say

### GHIN

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ghin/id491796218)

**Currently charting:** #26 Top Grossing · Sports, #112 Top Free · Sports (US App Store)

Track your golf scores, analyze your game statistics, and utilize GPS course maps with advanced features. This official app helps golfers manage their handicaps and compete with friends.

**Highlights:** Score Posting, Stat Tracking, Course Maps & GPS, Handicap Calculator, Group Score Keeping, Apple Watch Integration

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Upgrade to GHIN Enhanced GPS | $49.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Reliable GPS and course data
- 👍 Handicap tracking and management
- 💡 Green contour and heat maps
- 🚀 Efficient score entry and posting

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes and disconnections
- 🔌 Poor Apple Watch integration and performance
- 🔍 Difficult to navigate and find desired features
- 🔋 High battery drain when using GPS

**Reported bugs**

- Scorecard data not syncing properly between devices
- Inability to end rounds early and post partial scores
- GPS distances not updating correctly on Apple Watch
- Course data not loading consistently

**Requested features**

- Allow customization of tracked stats
- Implement landscape mode support
- Integrate with Apple Health/Activity
- Improve handicap calculation accuracy


### Handicap Tracker

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/handicap-tracker/id1282158690)

This app helps golfers calculate and monitor their handicap using the USGA WHS formula. Track your progress over time and view individual round differentials. It's designed for personal use and is not affiliated with the USGA.

**Highlights:** Calculate golf handicap (USGA WHS), Support for any golf course, Track progress over time, View individual round differential, Simple and easy to use

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Handicap Tracker Pro Yearly | $19.99 | per year |
| Handicap Tracker Pro - Lifetime | $59.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Free and accurate handicap
- 👍 Easy to use interface
- 👍 9-hole rounds count
- 👍 Saves all scores and courses
- 👍 No subscription required

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Data loss issues
- 🐛 Inaccurate calculations reported
- 🐛 App stopped working
- 🐛 Requires manual course entry
- 🐛 Ads present

**Reported bugs**

- All data deleted
- Scores and courses disappeared
- Handicap stayed the same
- Unable to send email to support
- All data gone after season

**Requested features**

- Option to select app icon
- Show round differentials on rounds list
- Link to course database for easier entry
- Allow entry of gross and adjusted gross scores
- Option to input adjusted gross score


## Frequently asked questions

### Is GHIN free?

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

### Is Handicap Tracker free?

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

### Which has better reviews, GHIN or Handicap Tracker?

GHIN is rated higher. GHIN averages 4.8 out of 5 from 21K ratings, while Handicap Tracker averages 4.6 from 209 ratings.

### Do GHIN or Handicap Tracker have ads?

Handicap Tracker shows ads; GHIN does not.

### Which is updated more often, GHIN or Handicap Tracker?

GHIN ships an update every 3 weeks, and Handicap Tracker every 3 weeks. Most recently, GHIN was updated on September 24, 2026 and Handicap Tracker on September 22, 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.*