Comparison

Recode vs Hobby Dataslate

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

Head to head
About

Recode

This app helps you regain focus by physically preventing access to distracting applications. It requires scanning a QR or barcode to unlock apps, creating friction that discourages reflex checking and promotes productivity.

Highlights
  • Physical app blocking via QR/barcode scan
  • Accountability through intentional unlocking
  • Reduces reflex app checking
  • Promotes focus and productivity
  • Customizable app blocking schedules
Read full description

Stop scrolling. Start living. Recode is the only screen time app that requires you to physically scan a QR code or barcode to unlock your blocked apps. No easy bypass. No cheating. Just real accountability. How it works: 1. Choose which apps to block and set your schedule. 2. Pick any QR code or barcode as your unlock key — a book on your shelf, a code at your desk, anything. 3. When you want to unblock, you have to physically go scan it. That friction is what makes Recode work. Why it's different: Other screen time apps let you bypass limits with a single tap. Recode doesn't. The physical requirement of scanning a code creates real resistance between you and your distracting apps. You can't cheat from the couch. Track your progress with Streaks: Build a daily streak by keeping your break time under 30 minutes. Watch your calendar fill with green as you take back control of your habits. Built from personal experience: I built Recode because I was losing myself in endless scrolling — distracted all day, drained at night, ashamed of how little I got done. Even in its demo version, the simple act of requiring a scan to unblock completely shifted my habits. Knowing I couldn't unblock until I got home kept me off my phone. Over time, I reclaimed focus, confidence, and the satisfaction of being productive. Take control of your time. Download Recode today. Available subscription options: Recode Pro – Monthly or Annual auto-renewable subscription. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Hobby Dataslate

This app helps miniature collectors and painters track their Warhammer 40K models, log paints, organize army lists, and manage hobby projects. It offers features for collection management, painting progress, and social sharing of finished models.

Highlights
  • Track 1,600+ datasheets
  • Barcode quick-add for boxes
  • Painting pipeline tracking
  • Sprue & bits stash management
  • Unit paint recipes
  • Import/backup from other formats
  • Collection documentation & valuation
Features
Read full description

Keep your miniature hobby organized and your painting memory close at hand. Hobby Dataslate is the unofficial hobby tracker for Warhammer 40K and Age of Sigmar — free to start. Know what you own. Remember how you painted and based it. Keep army lists, photos, work-in-progress notes, and future plans connected. When hobby time opens up, Today helps you choose a useful next action toward the completion goal you set. KEEP THE WHOLE HOBBY TOGETHER • Track painting progress across your whole collection — 40K and Age of Sigmar, one desk • Add Combat Patrols, Spearheads, and box sets in one tap (or scan the barcode) • 3,000+ combined units across 40K datasheets and AoS warscrolls, faction organization, and a flexible Wishlist → Finished lifecycle • Desk sessions, streaks, and a "what to paint next" wheel when you're stuck • Paint and basing recipes you can reuse — and a catalog of 11,000+ paints • Import BattleScribe / New Recruit / WH40k app lists, then see owned vs shortfall • Custom JSON data export on Free, plus tournament PDFs and collection valuation docs BUILT FOR THE HOBBY, NOT A SPREADSHEET Collection, Workbench, Armies, Stats, and Social in one app. Flag repairs, track stash & bits, browse finished-model showcases and friend collections, and join the Discord for WIP chat. FREE TO START 100 units, 5 armies, unit paint recipes, 40K and Age of Sigmar list costing, and unlimited desk session logs — no credit card. Custom data export remains available on Free. Upgrade only if you outgrow the free tier. PREMIUM — $1/mo or $10/yr Unlimited units & armies, WIP timelines, painted gallery, recipe share cards, batch projects, unlimited friends & public sharing, stash & paints, spending logs, session photos. HERO — $5/mo or $40/yr Higher-resolution showcase uploads, enhanced showcase sorting, army recipes, advanced stats, challenges & leaderboards, 40K theme, custom names/colors, alternate icons. FORGE# referrals — gift a friend 30 days of Hero. Privacy Policy: https://hobby-dataslate.app/privacy Terms of Use: https://hobby-dataslate.app/terms Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Download Hobby Dataslate and keep your collection, hobby memory, and next steps in one place. (Hobby Dataslate is an unofficial fan app and is not affiliated with, endorsed, or sponsored by Games Workshop Limited.)

Screenshots

Recode4 screens
Hobby Dataslate4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Hobby Dataslate at 5.0 against Recode's 4.2. Hobby Dataslate also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2). Recode's advantage is ratings volume (5 vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads and monetization model 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. Recode sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Hobby Dataslate asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Hobby Dataslate holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Recode has 5 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Recode ships an update weekly, Hobby Dataslate every 4 days. Both last shipped on October 5, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Recode versus Hobby Dataslate: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRecodeHobby Dataslate
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (5 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings5 — better1
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFreemium
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.616.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB69 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAlexander HartiganAlexander Lewis

Customer experience

Recode

All ratings5 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral33.3%
Negative0.0%

Hobby Dataslate

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Recode

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Monthly7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Pro Yearly7 Days trial$19.991 Year
None

Hobby Dataslate

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Recode free?
Recode is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Hobby Dataslate free?
Hobby Dataslate is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Recode or Hobby Dataslate?
Hobby Dataslate is rated higher. Recode averages 4.2 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while Hobby Dataslate averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Recode or Hobby Dataslate have ads?
Neither Recode nor Hobby Dataslate shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Recode or Hobby Dataslate?
Recode ships an update weekly, and Hobby Dataslate every 4 days. Most recently, Recode was updated on October 5, 2026 and Hobby Dataslate on October 5, 2026.

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