# JCSys Reference vs JB

The clearest difference is rating: JCSys Reference at 4.8 against JB's 2.0. JCSys Reference also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 63%) and ratings volume (5 vs 1). JB's advantage is update cadence (every 5 months vs every 21 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

JCSys Reference holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: JCSys Reference has 5 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of JCSys Reference's written reviews are positive against 63% of JB's.

JCSys Reference ships an update every 21 months, JB every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on June 5, 2026 and June 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | JCSys Reference | JB |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jcsys-reference/id584340426/reviews)** | [2.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jb-lighting/id630531181/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **5** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 62.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 21 months | **Every 5 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 9 MB | 54 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Graeme Watson](https://appshunter.io/developer/574479647) | [JB-Lighting](https://appshunter.io/developer/630531184) |

## What reviewers say

### JCSys Reference

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jcsys-reference/id584340426)

This application provides a comprehensive reference for Tactical Data Links (TDL) and MODAF. It includes detailed catalogues for Link 11, Link 16, and Link 22 messages, along with network participation group information and an acronym finder.

**Highlights:** Link 11 message catalogue, Link 16 message catalogue, Link 16 NPG list, Link 22 message catalogue, Knowledge test, MODAF View reference, Acronym finder

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### JB

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jb-lighting/id630531181)

Access information and download resources for all products, including current and discontinued items. Manage your downloads with a convenient list feature.

**Highlights:** Online product information access, Downloadable resources, Support for current and older products, Customizable download list, Download management

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is JCSys Reference free?

JCSys Reference is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is JB free?

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

### Which has better reviews, JCSys Reference or JB?

JCSys Reference is rated higher. JCSys Reference averages 4.8 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while JB averages 2.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do JCSys Reference or JB have ads?

Neither JCSys Reference nor JB shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, JCSys Reference or JB?

JCSys Reference ships an update every 21 months, and JB every 5 months. Most recently, JCSys Reference was updated on June 5, 2026 and JB on June 24, 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.*