Comparison

iXCharger vs PlugWatt

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

Head to head
About

iXCharger

This app facilitates automatic backup and charging for Apple devices when connected to a compatible charger and storage device. It offers secure access to your data with biometric authentication and allows for intuitive file management and content restoration.

Highlights
  • Automatic backup and charging
  • Secure data access with biometrics
  • Intuitive file management
  • View stored content offline
  • Restore photos and videos
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The iXCharger app works with PIODATA's MFi certified iXCharger charger and storage backup device, which has been certified to work with all Apple “i” Devices (iPhone, iPad). The iXCharger App provides the following useful functions when connected to an iXCharger device: 1. Auto-Backup & Charging: As soon as the iDevice connects to the iXCharger device, the backup process will be initiated automatically, no further action is needed by the user. In addition, the iDevice will be charged at the same time. 2. Trust Circle: Secure Protection using Biometric Authentication or Apple ID log-in to access the iXCharger’s data, to prevent unauthorized use. Content can only be viewed by those devices in the Trust Circle 3. Intuitive File Management: Maintain separate content folders for each iDevice that loaded content onto the iXCharger device 4. View all content stored on the iXCharger APP, stored on your iDevice (Does not require connections to iXCharger device). 5. Restore all videos and photos stored on the iXCharger onto your iDevice(s) 6. View all content stored on the iXCharger

About

PlugWatt

Features
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PlugWatt is the offline field toolkit for EV charging technicians: the people who commission, maintain, and troubleshoot Level 2 stations and DC fast chargers at public networks, fleet depots, and highway corridors. Every charger is a two sided communication node. It talks down to the car over the J1772 control pilot and the CCS or NACS handshake, and up to its network backend over OCPP. Almost every field failure is one of three things: a power electronics fault, a vehicle handshake failure, or a backend problem. PlugWatt is built around helping you localize which one, fast, and then finish the paperwork before you leave the site. Everything works with zero signal. No account, no login, no ads, and no data collection. Ever. CALCULATORS WITH THE MATH SHOWN • Continuous load sizing, the 125 percent rule of NEC 625.42 • EVEMS managed demand comparison, including the 2026 exception in NEC 625.48 • Service and panel capacity checks, with and without load management • Conductor and overcurrent device sizing with temperature and conduit fill derating • Voltage drop for feeders and long DC runs • DC fast charger power, current, and session time estimates • Disconnect requirement helper and unit conversions • Every result shows the formula, the steps, and the code citation, with your choice of NEC edition from 2017 to 2026 TROUBLESHOOTING THAT LOCALIZES THE FAULT • Six guided decision trees: no charge, ground or insulation fault, contactor and precharge, thermal, connector and pilot, network and OCPP • Fault families with symptoms, likely causes, diagnosis steps, and the safe response • Manufacturer fault codes for the brands that publish them, each with what the code means and then an ordered list of what to check, most likely cause first • Brand library covering ChargePoint, ABB, Tritium, Alpitronic, Tesla and NACS, BTC Power, Kempower, and Signet • Charger anatomy from the AC input to the connector in your hand • Safety critical items render red and unmissable COMMS AND OCPP, FINALLY IN ONE PLACE • Control pilot states and duty cycle tables • The CCS and NACS handshake stage by stage, and what each stage failing means • ISO 15118 and Plug and Charge certificates in plain language • OCPP 1.6 versus 2.0.1 versus 2.1, a message quick reference, and offline authorization behavior SITE PAPERWORK, DONE ON SITE • Commissioning and site acceptance testing with the UL 2231 trip test • Preventive maintenance, LOTO and energized work permits, PPE assessment and glove log, work orders, OCPP configuration records, and JHA tailboards • Company, crew, and site profiles prefill every form • Photos and signatures captured in the field • Whole site packets export as one combined PDF and queue in the outbox until signal returns SAFETY FIRST • High voltage DC and arc flash awareness built on NFPA 70E • Lockout tagout guidance including DC link capacitor discharge • Glove certification rules per OSHA and ASTM D120 The reference library and core calculators are free. PlugWatt Pro unlocks the full calculator suite, all guided trees, and the forms module, as a monthly or annual subscription or a lifetime purchase. PlugWatt is a field aid, not a substitute for the NEC, UL standards, manufacturer manuals, or the site engineered drawings. A qualified person must verify all results. Privacy Policy: https://thrasherapps.com/plugwatt/privacy.html Terms of Use: https://thrasherapps.com/plugwatt/terms.html Support: https://thrasherapps.com/plugwatt/support.html

Screenshots

iXCharger4 screens
PlugWatt4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: iXCharger at none against PlugWatt's 3. iXCharger also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.6). PlugWatt's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs monthly). On price, ads 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. PlugWatt sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. iXCharger asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iXCharger ships an update monthly, PlugWatt weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
iXCharger versus PlugWatt: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriXChargerPlugWatt
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyMonthlyWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size172 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVinpower IncChris Thrasher

In-app purchases

None

iXCharger

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

PlugWatt

Subscriptions2
  • PlugWatt Pro Monthly$6.991 Month
  • PlugWatt Pro Annual$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • PlugWatt Pro Lifetime$99.99

Questions

Is iXCharger free?
iXCharger is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is PlugWatt free?
PlugWatt is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do iXCharger or PlugWatt have ads?
Neither iXCharger nor PlugWatt shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iXCharger or PlugWatt?
iXCharger ships an update monthly, and PlugWatt weekly. Most recently, iXCharger was updated on October 11, 2026 and PlugWatt on October 19, 2026.

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