# Handguns Magazine vs Patch Vault

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Patch Vault at 100% against Handguns Magazine's 20%. Patch Vault also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 9 months) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). Handguns Magazine's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (241 vs 2). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Handguns Magazine sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $11.99 per year and Patch Vault sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Patch Vault holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Handguns Magazine has 241 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 20% of Handguns Magazine's written reviews are positive against 100% of Patch Vault's.

Handguns Magazine ships an update every 9 months, Patch Vault fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Handguns Magazine | Patch Vault |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (241 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/handguns-magazine/id582736823/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/patch-vault-collection-app/id6767950962/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **241** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 20.0% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 25 MB | 59 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 17+ | +4 |
| Developer | [KSE Sportsman Media, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/386234089) | [Robotic Snail Software LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1232381880) |

## What reviewers say

### Handguns Magazine

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/handguns-magazine/id582736823)

This app provides in-depth reviews and testing of new handgun models, including semiautomatics and revolvers. It also features articles on self-defense, skill improvement, and related accessories.

**Highlights:** New handgun model testing, Semiautomatic and revolver reviews, Self-defense articles, Skill improvement guides, Accessory reviews (holsters, ammo, lights, lasers), Historical handgun features

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 Year Subscription | $11.99 | per year |
| December / January 2013 | $4.99 | one-time |
| February / March 2013 | $4.99 | one-time |
| April / May 2013 | $4.99 | one-time |
| June / July 2013 | $4.99 | one-time |
| August / September 2013 | $4.99 | one-time |
| December / January 2014 | $4.99 | one-time |
| February / March 2014 | $4.99 | one-time |
| April/May 2014 | $4.99 | one-time |
| October/November 2014 | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 👍 Great content
- 👍 Working with new update

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Constant restore purchase prompts
- 🐛 Unable to contact server
- 🐛 Password query every time
- 🐛 Cannot access account
- 🐛 Paid subscriptions not accessible

**Reported bugs**

- Restore purchases every time
- Password query on every read attempt
- Unable to contact server
- Cannot access account/password timeout
- Paid subscriptions not showing

**Requested features**

- Make compatible with newest iOS
- Fix app issues with iOS 8
- Provide refund for broken subscriptions
- Fix continuous billing option


### Patch Vault

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/patch-vault-collection-app/id6767950962)

Organize and catalog your patch and challenge coin collections with detailed records, photos, and tracking. Easily search, filter, and view item origins on a map. Gain insights into your collection's trends and history.

**Highlights:** Catalog patches and challenge coins, Add multiple photos, Track detailed item information, Search and filter collection, View origins on interactive map, Review collection stats and trends, Sync privately with iCloud

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Small Tip | $0.99 | one-time |
| Medium Tip | $4.99 | one-time |
| Large Tip | $9.99 | one-time |
| Premium | $14.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Handguns Magazine free?

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

### Is Patch Vault free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Handguns Magazine or Patch Vault?

Patch Vault is rated higher. Handguns Magazine averages 4.8 out of 5 from 241 ratings, while Patch Vault averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do Handguns Magazine or Patch Vault have ads?

Patch Vault shows ads; Handguns Magazine does not.

### Which is updated more often, Handguns Magazine or Patch Vault?

Handguns Magazine ships an update every 9 months, and Patch Vault fortnightly. Most recently, Handguns Magazine was updated on November 6, 2026 and Patch Vault 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.*