# Modellers Reference Library vs Model Boats

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Model Boats at none against Modellers Reference Library's 20. Model Boats also leads on update cadence (every 4 months vs every 8 months). Modellers Reference Library's advantage is review sentiment (67% vs 44%) and ratings volume (4 vs 1). On price, rating, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Modellers Reference Library sells 20 one-off in-app purchases. Model Boats asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Modellers Reference Library against 5.0 for Model Boats. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 1 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 67% of Modellers Reference Library's written reviews are positive against 44% of Model Boats's.

Modellers Reference Library ships an update every 8 months, Model Boats every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Modellers Reference Library | Model Boats |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/modellers-reference-library/id531146250/reviews) | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/model-boats/id567206330/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **4** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | **66.7% of reviews** | 44.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | **Every 4 months** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 30 MB | 14 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 16.2 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Doolittle Media Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1545366363) | [Stephen Ellis](https://appshunter.io/developer/567206333) |

## What reviewers say

### Modellers Reference Library

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/modellers-reference-library/id531146250)

Access a vast digital library of model building guides and how-to catalogues for plastic models, military vehicles, aircraft, and radio-controlled cars. Discover books, including out-of-print titles, with new content added weekly. Purchases are protected and accessible across multiple devices via a pocketmags account.

**Highlights:** Digital model building guides, How-to catalogues, Covers plastic, military, aircraft, RC vehicles, Access out-of-print books, Weekly content updates, Cross-platform purchases via pocketmags

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

**In-app purchases (20)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cold War Aircra... (id:807515) | $7.99 | one-time |
| Cold War Aircra... (id:807516) | $7.99 | one-time |
| Tamiya Spitfire... (id:807708) | $8.99 | one-time |
| How to Build th... (id:807832) | $8.99 | one-time |
| Tamiya 1:32 P-5... (id:809503) | $9.99 | one-time |
| Revell's 1:32 M... (id:809513) | $9.99 | one-time |
| B-17 Flying For... (id:809437) | $9.99 | one-time |
| How to Build th... (id:809545) | $10.99 | one-time |
| How to build Ta... (id:809558) | $10.99 | one-time |
| How To Build Ta... (id:809544) | $10.99 | one-time |
| Tamiya 1:32 Mos... (id:809547) | $10.99 | one-time |
| Tamiya Spitfire... (id:809548) | $10.99 | one-time |
| Revised Tamiya ... (id:809606) | $10.99 | one-time |
| PANAVIA TORNADO... (id:810017) | $12.99 | one-time |
| F-104 STARFIGHT... (id:810019) | $12.99 | one-time |
| The Modeller’s ... (id:810085) | $13.99 | one-time |
| Modelling an Ic... (id:810119) | $14.99 | one-time |
| Monogram's Cen... (pp:1001612) | $14.99 | one-time |
| How to Build th... (id:810129) | $14.99 | one-time |
| MCDONNELL F-4 ... (pp:1088169) | $14.99 | one-time |


### Model Boats

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/model-boats/id567206330)

Connect with a global community of model boat enthusiasts. Share your projects, learn new techniques, and discover local clubs and events. Access a wealth of tips and tricks through articles and community discussions.

**Highlights:** Global community forum, Photo and video sharing, Boat building blogs, Find local clubs and lakes, Event listings, Wiki with tips and tricks, Virtual boat harbor

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Modellers Reference Library free?

Modellers Reference Library is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Model Boats free?

Model Boats is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Modellers Reference Library or Model Boats?

Modellers Reference Library and Model Boats are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 4 and 1 ratings respectively.

### Do Modellers Reference Library or Model Boats have ads?

Neither Modellers Reference Library nor Model Boats shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Modellers Reference Library or Model Boats?

Modellers Reference Library ships an update every 8 months, and Model Boats every 4 months. Most recently, Modellers Reference Library was updated on September 30, 2026 and Model Boats on October 2, 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.*