RefTracker vs SocRef
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
RefTracker
Read full descriptionHide full description
RefTracker - Your Complete Soccer Referee Companion Take control of your soccer refereeing with RefTracker, the all-in-one app designed specifically for referees, assistant referees, and assessors. KEY FEATURES: GAME MANAGEMENT • Sync games directly from Assignr • Create and manage games manually • Track date, time, teams, league, and venue details • Support for multiple age groups and genders LIVE GAME TRACKING • Built-in game timer with half tracking • Real-time score tracking for both teams • Log goals with player numbers and timestamps • Record yellow and red cards with reasons • Pause, resume, and reset functionality HEALTH & FITNESS TRACKING • Track distance covered during matches • Monitor heart rate (average and max) • Record running speed and steps • Automatic HealthKit integration SEAMLESS SYNC • Automatic sync between iPhone and Apple Watch • Assignr integration for game assignments • Cloud backup and data persistence APPLE WATCH APP • Full-featured companion app • Control games from your wrist • Quick access to timer and scoring • Log events without pulling out your phone PERFECT FOR: • Youth soccer referees • Adult league officials • Assistant referees • Referee assessors • Training and development PRIVACY & SECURITY • Your data stays on your device • Optional HealthKit integration • Secure Assignr authentication Whether you're officiating youth games or professional matches, RefTracker gives you the tools to focus on what matters - making the right calls. Download RefTracker today and elevate your refereeing experience! This app integrates with the Health app
SocRef
Read full descriptionHide full description
**The digital match companion built for soccer referees. Track every goal, card, and substitution in real time—on your iPhone or Apple Watch.** ## MATCH MANAGEMENT Create games in seconds. Set team names, jersey colors, half durations (15–45 min), halftime break, extra time, and penalty shootout options. Import assignments directly from Assignr by pasting from the clipboard—SocRef reads the format automatically and fills in the details, including age-appropriate half durations (7v7, 9v9, 11v11). Browse your upcoming and past games in one list, sorted by closest kickoff. Tap any game to jump back into a live match or review the final record. --- ## LIVE MATCH TRACKING Start the timer and let SocRef handle the rest. The match clock runs through 1st Half → Halftime → 2nd Half → Extra Time → Penalties. Add stoppage time on the fly. Pause, resume, and manually advance periods whenever you need to. Log events as they happen: - Goals — with optional player name - Yellow cards — with reason and player - Red cards — with reason and player - Substitutions — player on, player off Every event is timestamped to the minute and saved instantly. Your data survives app backgrounding and device restarts. **1-Minute Alert** — SocRef sends a haptic notification 1 minute before each period ends, whether the Watch screen is on or off. Never lose track of time during a match. --- ## APPLE WATCH COMPANION Control the match from your wrist. The Watch app stays in sync with your iPhone in real time—score, period, timer, card counts. Record goals, cards, and substitutions without taking your phone out. Perfect for when you're on the pitch and your hands are full. **Two-way sync** — Changes made on the Watch (score, cards, team names, match config) are automatically pushed back to the iPhone. The watch is always the source of truth for an active match. Edit a game on the watch, and the iPhone game list updates the moment they reconnect. --- ## EVENT LOG & EXPORT Review the full event timeline after the whistle. Export the complete match record as JSON—ready for your records, your organization, or your own analysis. --- ## SUPPORTER FEATURES — GPS & MOTION TRACKING Support development and unlock advanced referee fitness tools: - **Motion Tracking** — Steps, distance, cadence, and heart rate via Apple Watch. Runs as a live workout in Apple Health (soccer activity type). - **GPS Tracking** — Records your movement across the pitch at configurable intervals (every 10, 30, or 60 seconds). - **Movement Heatmap** — Calibrate the field corners with GPS, and SocRef generates a color-coded heatmap showing where you spent the most time. Identify positioning patterns and improve your coverage. - **Per-Period Breakdown** — Distance, steps, and heart rate stats for each match period, exportable in full. Supporter purchases are voluntary. Any tier—Tip, Coffee, Latte, or Lunch—unlocks all of the above. HealthKit and Core Motion usage is disclosed in the GPS & Motion Tracking section footer on the Game Setup screen. --- BUILT FOR THE PITCH - Dark theme throughout—readable in any light - Works fully offline - Automatic two-way sync between iPhone and Watch - Large, high-contrast controls for fast input mid-match - Haptic alerts at key moments (1-minute warning, period transitions) --- *SocRef is made by referees, for referees.*
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: RefTracker at none against SocRef's 4. SocRef's advantage is iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). On price, update cadence, 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
Both are free to download. SocRef sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. RefTracker asks for nothing beyond the download.
RefTracker ships an update every 2 weeks, SocRef every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on June 9, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | RefTracker | SocRef |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks — better | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Devices | iPhone, Apple Watch | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 7 MB | 9 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Kent Norman | Xiangdong Zhang |
In-app purchases
RefTracker
No in-app purchases
SocRef
- Tip$0.99
- Buy a Coffe$2.99
- Buy a Latte$4.99
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- Buy a Lunch$12.99





