Comparison

Ref vs Scoreboard virtual keeper

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

Head to head
About

Ref

Features
Read full description

Ref-Vision captures a referee’s match on Apple Watch and iPhone: GPS, heart rate, speed, distance, match clock, event taps, and sideline video, all heading to one game on your Ref-Vision account. Start the watch at kick-off. Put the iPhone on a tripod if you want film. The watch is built to be glanced at, not stared at. Large buttons, haptics, and an always-on clock. APPLE WATCH • Start at kick-off: one workout records GPS and heart rate for the whole appointment, including half-time • Match clock with half-time, second half, and full-time • Live heart rate, speed, distance, and GPS lock • Four large event buttons by default: Foul, Yellow, Red, Goal • Extra buttons (Advantage, Stoppage, Injury, Sub, Penalty, and more) from a second page if you enable them on iPhone • Undo the last event with a swipe • Sessions are saved on the watch first, then sent to iPhone automatically. No network required during the match IPHONE • Live glance of clock, heart rate, distance, and last event while the watch is recording • Finished sessions arrive from the watch automatically • Review distance, heart rate, and events after the match; edit or delete a mis-tap • Attach the session to a game, or create one, then upload to your Ref-Vision account • Sign in once with the same email code you use on ref.vision • Customise which event buttons appear on the watch and push the layout across RECORD • New Record tab for sideline match film from a tripod-mounted iPhone • Checks before you start: phone on its side (landscape), on the tripod, and on a power bank • Ultra-wide (0.5x) so the pitch fills the frame; 1080p by default, 4K if you want it • Built for a full match — keep the app open and don’t lock the phone • Recordings stay on this iPhone first, even with no signal • Attach or create a game, then upload. We’ll start processing the film onto that game soon • Watch capture and phone film can run together: movement and events on the watch, video on the phone AFTER UPLOAD Watch sessions land on your game with GPS, heart rate, and event tags. Phone film is uploaded from the app; after we process it, it appears on the same game at ref.vision. Attach footage and set one sync offset so movement, heart rate, and watch events line up with the film together. Capture works without an account. Upload to Ref-Vision requires sign-in. Ref-Vision records referee performance (location, heart rate, and optional sideline video). It is not a medical device and does not provide medical advice. Requires a compatible Apple Watch for GPS, heart rate, and event capture. Video recording uses iPhone. Designed for referees at every level.

About

Scoreboard virtual keeper

Manage sports scores, timers, and training sessions with this comprehensive app. Features include simple and complex scorekeeping, adaptable timers, and a dedicated coaching mode for tactical planning and exercise creation.

Highlights
  • Simple scorekeeping
  • Complex scorekeeping
  • Customizable clock/timer
  • Coaching mode for training
  • Tactical diagramming
  • Save and share strategies
Features
Read full description

Score Keeper by Swish Live – The Ultimate Score Manager for Every Sport Scoreboard by Swish Live is the ultimate solution for managing your sports competitions and planning your training sessions. Designed for both enthusiasts and professionals, this app offers multiple modes tailored to different sports needs: - Simple Scoreboard: Keep track of scores quickly and effortlessly with the Simple Scoreboard mode. Perfect for sports with direct scoring, it lets you update and view scores in an instant. - Complex Scoreboard: For sports with more intricate scoring systems, the Complex Scoreboard provides an advanced way to manage scores. Track sets, rounds, or any unique scoring criteria, and get a comprehensive overview of your game progress. - Clock/Timer: Whether you need to monitor ball possession, manage a round’s time, or keep track of any other sport-specific timer, the Clock feature adapts to your requirements. Start, pause, and reset the timer with ease, making it perfect for a variety of sport-related timing needs. - Coaching: Elevate your training sessions with the Coaching mode. Develop exercises and create tactical plans that you can share with your players. Utilize interactive tools to place markers, draw tactical diagrams, and save your strategies for later review. Score Keeper provides an intuitive interface and powerful features that give you complete control over your scores and training plans—all in one app.

Screenshots

Ref4 screens
Scoreboard virtual keeper4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Scoreboard virtual keeper at every 4 days against Ref's every 2 weeks. Scoreboard virtual keeper also leads on iOS requirement (16.0 vs 26.4). 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

Ref ships an update every 2 weeks, Scoreboard virtual keeper every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Ref versus Scoreboard virtual keeper: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRefScoreboard virtual keeper
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.9 (8 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—8 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS26.416.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSAMUEL LANE MADDOCKSwishLive

In-app purchases

None

Ref

No in-app purchases

None

Scoreboard virtual keeper

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Ref free?
Ref is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Scoreboard virtual keeper free?
Scoreboard virtual keeper is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Ref or Scoreboard virtual keeper have ads?
Neither Ref nor Scoreboard virtual keeper shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Ref or Scoreboard virtual keeper?
Ref ships an update every 2 weeks, and Scoreboard virtual keeper every 4 days. Most recently, Ref was updated on September 24, 2026 and Scoreboard virtual keeper on September 10, 2026.

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