Cargo Decoder Plus vs DOT Chart 17
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Cargo Decoder Plus
Instantly identify hazardous materials by their 4-digit DOT placard number. Access comprehensive safety information from multiple Emergency Response Guidebook editions, even offline. Quickly search by number or material name for critical details.
- Identify materials by DOT placard number
- Access ERG 2024, 2020, 2016, 2012 editions
- Search by UN/NA placard number or material name
- View protective distance and toxic inhalation hazards
- Offline access, no network required
- Learn about GHS classification and labeling
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Cargo Decoder is your guide to what is in the truck or tanker next to you on the highway. Enter the 4 digit number from the DOT placard to learn about a material. See details from both the 2024 Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG 2024) If you need them, ERG 2020, ERG 2016 and ERG 2012 are available too. Powerful search capabilities will help you quickly find information by matching just part of the UN/NA placard number or material name. Protective distance information, toxic inhalation hazards, and ERG2020 reference pages are just a touch away for emergency responders and HazMat personnel. A simple touch quickly gets you to the information you need. Cargo Decoder Plus uses no network bandwidth so information will always be available even if your network is not. - Find safety information on hazardous cargo - Search by name or input DOT number - View ERG2024, ERG2020, ERG2016, or ERG2012 reference pages - Access directly on device, no network connection required - Share information with friends and colleagues - Learn about the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS)
DOT Chart 17
Access a full-color display of hazardous materials markings, labels, and placards. This app provides quick visual information and regulatory citations for shippers and carriers. It serves as a general guidance tool for hazardous materials regulations.
- Full-color display of markings, labels, and placards
- Access to Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) citations
- Quick visual information for shippers and carriers
- Mobile access to DOT Chart-17
- Guidance on 49 CFR Parts 171-180
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The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA) DOT Chart-17 provides a full-color display of the markings, labels, and placards specified in the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). This mobile application allows shippers, carriers, and other stakeholders to quickly access visual information and HMR citations from DOT Chart-17. Note that this application is intended for general guidance only and should not be used to determine compliance with 49 CFR, Parts 100-185.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Cargo Decoder Plus at 71% against DOT Chart 17's 0%. Cargo Decoder Plus also leads on rating (4.3 vs 2.3) and update cadence (monthly vs every 10 months). DOT Chart 17's advantage is price (Free vs $1.99) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 16.6). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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
DOT Chart 17 is free to download; Cargo Decoder Plus costs $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Cargo Decoder Plus holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 2.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6 and 3 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 71% of Cargo Decoder Plus's written reviews are positive against 0% of DOT Chart 17's.
Cargo Decoder Plus ships an update monthly, DOT Chart 17 every 10 months. The most recent releases landed on September 14, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Cargo Decoder Plus | DOT Chart 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.3 (6 ratings) — better | 2.3 (3 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 71.4% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 6 — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Monthly — better | Every 10 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | 11.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 28 MB | 20 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Strategies In Software | Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration |
Customer experience
Cargo Decoder Plus
DOT Chart 17
In-app purchases
Cargo Decoder Plus
No in-app purchases
DOT Chart 17
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Cargo Decoder Plus free?
Is DOT Chart 17 free?
Which has better reviews, Cargo Decoder Plus or DOT Chart 17?
Do Cargo Decoder Plus or DOT Chart 17 have ads?
Which is updated more often, Cargo Decoder Plus or DOT Chart 17?
Other comparisons
