# The Open vs GOLFTEC

The clearest difference is rating: The Open at 4.6 against GOLFTEC's 4.0. The Open also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (every 4 days vs monthly). GOLFTEC's advantage is review sentiment (53% vs 28%) and device support (4 vs 2). On price, ads and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. GOLFTEC sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. The Open asks for nothing beyond the download.

The Open holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: The Open has 4.9K ratings behind it against 692, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 28% of The Open's written reviews are positive against 53% of GOLFTEC's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

The Open ships an update every 4 days, GOLFTEC monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | The Open | GOLFTEC |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (4.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-open/id658257516/reviews)** | [4.0 (692 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/golftec/id1330941693/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **4.9K** | 692 |
| Positive reviews | 28.0% of reviews | **52.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 days** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 79 MB | 420 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.5 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [The R&A](https://appshunter.io/developer/378489775) | [GOLFTEC Enterprises LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/532432946) |

## What reviewers say

### The Open

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-open/id658257516)

Experience live coverage of golf's original Championship, including feature groups, range sessions, and unique par-3 channel footage. Stay updated with real-time scores, tee times, news, and highlights. Access year-round content like films, documentaries, coaching videos, and podcasts.

**Highlights:** Live championship coverage, Feature group coverage, Live at the Range, Up-to-date scoring and tee times, Live blog, News, video highlights, and features, Films, documentaries, and podcasts

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Excellent coverage and commentary
- 🚀 Fantastic app for following the Open
- 💡 Great radio coverage
- 👍 Brilliant app with lots of great features

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and freezes frequently
- 🐛 Connection issues and video not working
- 🐛 Difficult to navigate and poor layout
- 🐛 Requires sign-up/login to access features
- 🐛 Missing key features like shot tracking

**Reported bugs**

- Leaderboard scores not updating properly
- Favorites list keeps getting reset
- Login/sign-up process not working
- App crashing on launch or during use

**Requested features**

- Player bios and stats
- Ability to sort leaderboard
- Live shot tracking
- Improved video streaming quality
- Easier navigation and UI


### GOLFTEC

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/golftec/id1330941693)

Enhance your golf game with performance-tracking tools, including on-course GPS for precise yardage and detailed green views. Analyze your stats, record and review swing videos, and manage your game with skills challenges and bag mapping. Book lessons and access exclusive Pro Shop deals.

**Highlights:** On-course GPS with yardage, Detailed green elevation and slope views, Performance stat tracking, Swing recording and analysis, Review past lessons and drills, Skills challenges and bag mapping, Book lessons and fittings

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| GOLFTEC Plus Monthly | $7.99 | per month |
| GOLFTEC Plus Yearly | $49.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 📹 Helpful video analysis
- 🛒 Good online shop
- 🗓️ Convenient scheduling

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🔍 Difficult to navigate
- 🔑 Login issues
- 🔇 Video playback problems
- 📆 Unreliable calendar/scheduling

**Reported bugs**

- Keyboard getting stuck
- Inability to scroll or close screens
- Sync issues with Apple Watch
- Constant sign-outs and login problems

**Requested features**

- Calendar integration with external apps
- More detailed swing analysis tools
- Improved video playback controls
- Better user interface and navigation


## Frequently asked questions

### Is The Open free?

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

### Is GOLFTEC free?

GOLFTEC is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, The Open or GOLFTEC?

The Open is rated higher. The Open averages 4.6 out of 5 from 4.9K ratings, while GOLFTEC averages 4.0 from 692 ratings.

### Do The Open or GOLFTEC have ads?

Neither The Open nor GOLFTEC shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, The Open or GOLFTEC?

The Open ships an update every 4 days, and GOLFTEC monthly. Most recently, The Open was updated on September 28, 2026 and GOLFTEC on September 23, 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.*