Comparison

RefsWatch Dev vs Whistlr

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

Head to head
About

RefsWatch Dev

Features
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Companion app for use by team managers or referees and their assistants for recording a rugby game. The game can be displayed on a pitchside screen, publicly via the internet or by users of the app.

About

Whistlr

Features
Read full description

Whistlr — The referee's smart game timer Whistlr turns your Apple Watch into a purpose-built match clock for anyone officiating a sport played in timed periods. No more juggling a stopwatch and a phone — set up your game once, then run it from your wrist. Built for officials, coaches, and referees of every sport If it's played in periods, Whistlr can time it. Soccer, rugby, basketball, ice hockey, field hockey, American football, Australian football, cricket, lacrosse, handball, volleyball, water polo— and anything else with a clock. Two timers at once Every period shows elapsed time large and time remaining small, so you always know exactly where you are in the half. A subtle haptic taps you on the wrist when the period overruns— no more glancing down for the buzzer. Configure once, remember forever • 2, 3, or 4 periods — auto-labelled as halves, thirds, or quarters • Period length: 5 to 50 minutes • Half time / break length: 1 to 20 minutes, with optional different lengths per break (ideal for basketball-style short quarter breaks and a longer halftime) • Extra time: up to 4 additional periods of 5–30 minutes each • Stop Clock: double-tap to pause the period when play is dead (great for ice hockey and basketball) All settings persist between games — the next time you open Whistlr, everything is exactly as you left it. Track your shift like an athlete With Track Workout on, Whistlr records the match as a HealthKit workout — live heart rate, calories burned, distance covered, and average heart rate. Choose the workout type that matches the sport you're officiating from 14 supported activities, including a dedicated HIIT option for interval-style officiating. Results sync to Apple Health and appear in your Activity rings. Designed for the watch Long-press to end a period. Long-press to end halftime early. Tap a single green START button and go. Every interaction is one-handed, glanceable, and built for the touchline. iPhone companion The iPhone app includes a full user guide, plus quick links to request features and report bugs directly to the developer. Whistlr is referee-built — for anyone, any level, any sport. Subscription Policy: https://sites.google.com/view/whistlr/subscription-policy Privacy Policy: https://sites.google.com/view/whistlr/privacy-policy

Screenshots

RefsWatch Dev4 screens
Whistlr2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: RefsWatch Dev at none against Whistlr's 1. RefsWatch Dev also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 26.2). Whistlr's advantage is update cadence (every 9 days vs every 4 months). 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. Whistlr sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per year. RefsWatch Dev asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RefsWatch Dev ships an update every 4 months, Whistlr every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 3 level
RefsWatch Dev versus Whistlr: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRefsWatch DevWhistlr
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS15.1 — better26.2
Further details — not scored
Size37 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMac BeaganSteven Clark

In-app purchases

None

RefsWatch Dev

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Whistlr

Subscriptions1
  • Free Trial1 Month trial$4.991 Year

Questions

Is RefsWatch Dev free?
RefsWatch Dev is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Whistlr free?
Whistlr is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do RefsWatch Dev or Whistlr have ads?
Neither RefsWatch Dev nor Whistlr shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RefsWatch Dev or Whistlr?
RefsWatch Dev ships an update every 4 months, and Whistlr every 9 days. Most recently, RefsWatch Dev was updated on September 29, 2026 and Whistlr on October 2, 2026.

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