Comparison

Lineman Guide vs Lineman's Reference

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Lineman Guide

This app provides essential reference material for lineworkers, including detailed information, charts, and how-to guides on transformers, rigging, knots, and rope capacities. It features practical calculators and covers various electrical formulas and safety standards.

Highlights
  • Transformer information and connection diagrams
  • Rigging calculations and definitions
  • Extensive knot library with capacities
  • Electrical formulas and charts
  • Utility pole weights
  • Minimum approach distances
Features
Currently charting
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DETAILS A must-have for all lineworkers. Detailed information, charts, pictures and how-to’s for transformers, rigging, knots, rope capacities and many more. Created by a Journeyman lineman, this app is useful for lineman and apprentices. Calculators: Load angle factor, gin loading and guy formulas. HOME SCREEN Knots & Rope Capacities Rigging Transformers Useful Information Linemantrainer.com Danger Men, Half Million Volt Workers video KNOTS Blood knot, bowline on a bight, bowline, clove, double sheet bend, Farrimond friction hitch, figure 8, grapevine, lanyard, Lineman’s loop, monkey fist, Prusik, running bowline, sheet bend, snubbing knot, square knot, taut-line hitch. KNOT TABLES Knot Break Strength MBS and SWL of Nylon Rope RIGGING Sling Load Calculation; Sling Angles, Sling Tension and Gin Loading definition and formulas; Block Load Angle Factor UTILITY POLE WEIGHTS Cedar, fir and pine WIRE ROPE AND CABLE Line Angle Change Multiplication Factor Efficiencies of Tucked or Hand-Spliced Eyes Rope Reduction Replacement WLL of Wire Slings Wire Sling Capacities in Tons MBS and SWL of Bright wire Sling Load Angle Factors Chart 5,000lbsNylon Web Sling Ratings 6,000lbs Nylon Web Sling Ratings 8,000lbs Nylon Web Sling Ratings TRANSFORMERS Paralleling Coils Line to Neutral, Line to Line Voltage Chart Electrical Distribution Systems Chart Insulation Class and Temperature Rise Single Phase Transformers FLC Three Phase Transformers FLC TRANSFORMER CONNECTIONS Delta-Delta 0 Degree Displacement Delta-Delta 180 Degree Displacement Delta-Wye 210 Degree Displacement Delta-Wye 30 Degree Displacement Open-Delta, Open-Delta Lighter Open-Wye, Open-Delta Lighter Option1 Open-Wye, Open-Delta Lighter Option2 Paralleling Transformers Wye-Delta 210 Degree Displacement Wye-Delta 30 Degree Displacement Wye-Wye 0 Degree Displacement Wye-Wye 180 Degree Displacement USEFUL INFORMATION Voltage Regulation Standards Wire Size and Amp Rating Ampacities of Insulated Conductors Ampacity Correction for Temperatures Three Wire Residential Allowable Ampacities Conductor Formulas General Formulas Guy formulas MINIMUM APPROACH DISTANCES AC Live-line MAD Altitude correction factor ELECTRICAL FORMULAS Ohm’s Law AC/DC Formulas AC Efficiency and Power Factor Electrical Measurement Electrical Quantities & Symbols Voltage Drop Chart NOTES: This app is for reference purposes only. No responsibility is accepted for incidents arising from the use of this material.

About

Lineman's Reference

This app provides comprehensive training for linemen and apprentices on underground distribution systems. It covers essential skills like cable isolation, transformer replacement, and troubleshooting. Interactive labs and quizzes reinforce learning for various skill levels.

Highlights
  • Learn cable isolation
  • Hipot cable sections
  • Transformer isolation and replacement
  • Troubleshoot underground outages
  • Switch underground distribution loops
  • Interactive training labs
  • Troubleshooting quizzes
Currently charting
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Lineman's Reference - URD is the latest app from Digital Apprentice that will teach linemen and apprentices the basics of underground distribution systems. Learn how to: - Isolate bad cable sections - Hipot cable sections - Isolate and change bad pad-mounted transformers - Troubleshoot underground outages - Switch Underground Distribution Loops Primary Training Labs: - Fault Indicators - Cable Isolation - Hipotting - Transformer Isolation Troubleshooting Labs (with optional quizzes): - Beginner (Single Phase) - Intermediate (Single Phase) - Advanced (Three Phase & Single Phase) Devices Labs - Break down and inspect the components of URD equipment: - Single Phase Padmount - Three Phase Padmount - Load-Break Elbows

Screenshots

Lineman Guide3 screens
Lineman's Reference4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Lineman's Reference at 4.5 against Lineman Guide's 2.9. Lineman's Reference also leads on update cadence (every 3 months vs every 52 months) and review sentiment (65% vs 40%). Lineman Guide's advantage is price ($4.99 vs $9.99). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and chart position 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Lineman Guide costs $4.99 and Lineman's Reference $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Lineman's Reference holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 2.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 22 and 62 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 40% of Lineman Guide's written reviews are positive against 65% of Lineman's Reference's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Lineman Guide ships an update every 52 months, Lineman's Reference every 3 months. Both last shipped on October 11, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Lineman Guide versus Lineman's Reference: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLineman GuideLineman's Reference
Price$4.99 — better$9.99
Rating2.9 (22 ratings)4.5 (62 ratings) — better
Positive reviews40.0% of reviews64.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2262 — better
Update frequencyEvery 52 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
Best chart rank#130#72 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.412.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB193 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperStephanie BuchananDigital Apprentice LLC

Customer experience

Lineman Guide

All ratings22 ratings
Positive40.9%
Neutral18.2%
Negative40.9%
Written reviews15 reviews
Positive40.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative40.0%

Lineman's Reference

All ratings62 ratings
Positive88.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative11.3%
Written reviews17 reviews
Positive64.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative35.3%

In-app purchases

None

Lineman Guide

No in-app purchases

None

Lineman's Reference

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Lineman Guide free?
Lineman Guide costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Lineman's Reference free?
Lineman's Reference costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Lineman Guide or Lineman's Reference?
Lineman's Reference is rated higher. Lineman Guide averages 2.9 out of 5 from 22 ratings, while Lineman's Reference averages 4.5 from 62 ratings.
Do Lineman Guide or Lineman's Reference have ads?
Neither Lineman Guide nor Lineman's Reference shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Lineman Guide or Lineman's Reference?
Lineman Guide ships an update every 52 months, and Lineman's Reference every 3 months. Most recently, Lineman Guide was updated on October 11, 2026 and Lineman's Reference on October 11, 2026.
Which is more popular, Lineman Guide or Lineman's Reference?
Lineman Guide currently peaks at #130 in the App Store charts, and Lineman's Reference at #72. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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