Comparison

Hardware Specialty Co. vs Al's Hardware

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

Head to head
About

Hardware Specialty Co.

This app serves as a distributor for commercial and military fasteners, as well as electronic and electro-mechanical components. It offers managed inventory programs and value-added services, backed by robust quality management systems and extensive product inventory.

Highlights
  • Commercial and military fasteners
  • Electronic components
  • Electro-mechanical components
  • Managed inventory programs
  • Value-added services
  • Quality assurance facilities
Features
Read full description

Hardware Specialty Co., Inc is a leading international distributor of commercial and military fasteners, electronic & electro-mechanical components. Established in 1932 as a small retail store selling mill supplies and fasteners, Hardware Specialty has grown into a global company specializing in Managed Inventory Programs and Value-Added Services. Our AS9120, ISO 9001, and ISO 14001 Quality Management Systems and full-service Quality Assurance facilities coupled with many years of technical sales experience and deep product line inventory ensure our commitment to total customer satisfaction. Together these make Hardware Specialty an unbeatable source for all your fastener and electronic component requirements.

About

Al's Hardware

Features
Read full description

Your powerful, independent player in the hardware trade, protecting the purchasing interests of a growing customer base spanning two decades, with the best price-to-shelf margins enabled by tightly-networked brokering abilities, in both local and international markets

Screenshots

Hardware Specialty Co.4 screens
Al's Hardware4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Al's Hardware at fortnightly against Hardware Specialty Co.'s every 4 months. Al's Hardware also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.5). On price, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Hardware Specialty Co. ships an update every 4 months, Al's Hardware fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
Hardware Specialty Co. versus Al's Hardware: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHardware Specialty Co.Al's Hardware
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.513.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size71 MB186 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHardware Specialty Co., Inc.SBW TECH (PTY) LTD

In-app purchases

None

Hardware Specialty Co.

No in-app purchases

None

Al's Hardware

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Hardware Specialty Co. free?
Hardware Specialty Co. is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Al's Hardware free?
Al's Hardware is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Hardware Specialty Co. or Al's Hardware have ads?
Neither Hardware Specialty Co. nor Al's Hardware shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Hardware Specialty Co. or Al's Hardware?
Hardware Specialty Co. ships an update every 4 months, and Al's Hardware fortnightly. Most recently, Hardware Specialty Co. was updated on October 11, 2026 and Al's Hardware on September 28, 2026.

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