Comparison

Mac Tools vs Smart Tools

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

Head to head
About

Mac Tools

This utility transforms your smartphone into a sound and vibration detection tool for diagnosing issues in vehicles and machinery. It helps pinpoint rattles, squeaks, and grinding sounds, making repairs easier.

Highlights
  • Sound & vibration detection
  • Locates defective parts
  • User-friendly interface
  • Analog/Digital display options
  • Adjustable sound settings
  • Informative user guide
Features
Read full description

The Mac Tools SmartEAR2 Sound & Vibration Detection app was developed to help assist the service technician in locating and finding defective or worn parts in automobiles, heavy machinery or industrial equipment where vibration, rattles, squeaks and grinding sounds would be associated making the task very difficult or impossible to diagnose. When used with our specially designed hardware kits your smartphone will be transformed into a state of the art Sound & Vibration Detection Technicians Tool, allowing for ease of locating and finding those troubled areas. NOTE: Additional hardware is required to use this app. For information on how to purchase hardware please contact your local Mac Tools Distributor or call 1-800-MAC-TOOLS Features: User friendly interface and intuitive operation. Sound level reading displays average, peak and real-time values. Sound level readings are displayed in either Analog or Digital. Analog and Digital readings have 2 display panels the user can choose from. Analog Meter or Analog Wave-Form. Digital Numeric or Digital Bar Graph. Background sound off-setting, sample rates, decibel off-setting can be manually be set. Reset/Refresh buttons reset/refresh values to default settings. Sound Level Reading Sampling Rate Decibel Off-set Master Volume Control User information guide includes informative facts about sound perception and permissible noise level exposure as well as a sound level comparison reference chart. Additional Information: Required: Any iOS device running iOS5.0+. Recommended: iPhone 4 and newer/ iPod Touch 4 and newer. Compatible: iPad 2 and newer.

About

Smart Tools

This comprehensive utility app provides 31 essential tools and gauges, leveraging your device's sensors. It includes measurement tools, a light, a magnifier, and various sensors for construction, carpentry, and everyday use.

Highlights
  • 31 carpenter, construction, and gauge tools
  • Bubble level and laser level
  • Stud finder and dB meter
  • Ruler, protractor, and magnifier
  • Speed gun and distance meter
  • Unit converter and code reader
Features
Read full description

Meet the largest iOS toolbox kit with 31 carpenter, construction and other tools and gauges like bubble level (spirit level), laser level, stud finder, dB meter, protractor (angle meter)... Use device's in-built sensors in all in one toolbox app, handy like a Swiss army knife. Carpenter and construction toolbox: Ruler; Bubble level (Spirit level); Laser level; Light: Manual torch light, strobe light, light show; Protractor (angle meter) with plumb bob; Magnifier. Gauges toolbox: dB meter with frequency spectrum; Distance and height meter; Speed gun (speed meter); Stopwatch; Metal detector (stud finder); Vibration meter; Luminosity meter; Color sensor; Cardiograph (heart rate meter); Speedometer. Other handy tool kit: Unit converter: Also includes currency converter; Code reader: QR code and bar code; Accelerometer; Night vision; Dog whistle; Metronome; Pitch tuner; Counter; Random generator; Pedometer; Body mass index; Period tracker; Translator. Free kit with advertisement, optional removal with paid upgrade.

Screenshots

Mac Tools4 screens
Smart Tools4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Mac Tools at 5.0 against Smart Tools's 4.5. Mac Tools also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). Smart Tools's advantage is update cadence (every 3 months vs every 23 months) and ratings volume (314 vs 1). On price 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. Smart Tools sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Mac Tools asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Mac Tools holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Smart Tools has 314 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Mac Tools's written reviews are positive against 78% of Smart Tools's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Mac Tools ships an update every 23 months, Smart Tools every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 10, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Mac Tools versus Smart Tools: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMac ToolsSmart Tools
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better4.5 (314 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better77.9% of reviews
Number of ratings1314 — better
Update frequencyEvery 23 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.011.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB24 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJS Products, Inc.Matjaz Marolt

Customer experience

Mac Tools

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Smart Tools

All ratings314 ratings
Positive88.2%
Neutral7.3%
Negative4.5%
Written reviews68 reviews
Positive77.9%
Neutral8.8%
Negative13.2%

Bugs and requests

Mac Tools

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Smart Tools

Reported bugs

11 issues
  • App crashes on startup with advertising splash screen
  • Metronome causes app to force close
  • Night vision not working properly
  • Translator feature not functioning
  • Conversion tools not working
Show 6 more
  • Cardiograph readings inaccurate without finger on camera
  • Body fat measurement tool returns to settings
  • Mirror feature disappeared
  • Settings menu crashes on iPad
  • Some tools don't light up or display correctly
  • Currency conversion data outdated

Requested features

14 requests
  • Dark mode matching system settings
  • Calculator tool
  • Compass feature
  • Stud finder functionality
  • Temperature conversion
Show 9 more
  • Smaller volume units (teaspoons, tablespoons)
  • Speedometer in miles per hour (MPH)
  • Mirror tool restoration
  • Proximity warning with audible alarm
  • Screenshot and share functionality
  • Notes tool
  • Customizable tool order/sorting
  • Better UI redesign
  • Landscape mode support

In-app purchases

None

Mac Tools

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Smart Tools

One-time1
  • Remove advertisement$2.99

Questions

Is Mac Tools free?
Mac Tools is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Smart Tools free?
Smart Tools is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Mac Tools or Smart Tools?
Mac Tools is rated higher. Mac Tools averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Smart Tools averages 4.5 from 314 ratings.
Do Mac Tools or Smart Tools have ads?
Smart Tools shows ads; Mac Tools does not.
Which is updated more often, Mac Tools or Smart Tools?
Mac Tools ships an update every 23 months, and Smart Tools every 3 months. Most recently, Mac Tools was updated on September 10, 2026 and Smart Tools on September 19, 2026.

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