Comparison

Refrigeration CycleAnalyst vs Coolbench

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

Head to head
About

Refrigeration CycleAnalyst

Features
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The Ultimate Tool for Refrigeration Professionals Experience a more scientific and precise way to analyze cooling systems. Our app simplifies often complex refrigeration into an easy-to-use interface, providing instant, accurate calculations that help you diagnose and optimize refrigeration cycles with professional-grade confidence. Get Started with Free Diagnostics We want you to experience the full power of our analyzer risk-free. Download today to enjoy 3 complimentary diagnostic evaluations with full access to all scientific calculations and professional features. Unlock Unlimited Lifetime Access Upgrade with a single, one-time purchase to unlock permanent, unlimited diagnostic access forever. No recurring fees or hidden costs—pay once and use across all your devices. Purchase Information: • One-Time Purchase: $19.99 for permanent Lifetime Access. • Includes 3 free full diagnostic runs upon download. • Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. • No recurring subscriptions or auto-renewals. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.refrigerationcycleanalyst.com/terms-of-use Privacy Policy: https://www.refrigerationcycleanalyst.com/privacy-policy

About

Coolbench

Features
Read full description

Coolbench is the all-in-one toolkit for HVAC/R technicians: everything you reach for on a service call, in one fast, offline app. No login, no ads, no subscription. CHARGING ASSISTANT (SUPERHEAT & SUBCOOLING) • Live superheat and subcooling with an instant ON TARGET / ADD / RECOVER verdict • Piston target superheat from indoor wet bulb and outdoor temperature (Title 24 table); TXV target from the nameplate subcooling • System Check: possible causes (overcharge, undercharge, restriction, low airflow, dirty condenser, TXV bulb, non-condensables) from both readings • Saturation from refrigerant data checked against manufacturer PT charts, for R-410A, R-454B, R-32, R-22, R-290 and more • Save readings to your job history and export a PDF report FIELD TOOLS • Data plate decoder: scan or type a serial to get the manufacture date, age and tonnage (Carrier, Trane, Lennox, Goodman, Rheem, York and more) • Fault codes for gas furnaces and ductless mini-splits, with likely causes and first checks • Evacuation assistant: micron log, timed decay test, moisture vs leak verdict • A2L toolkit for R-454B and R-32: charge threshold check, room-size estimate, service checklist • Customer service reports: PDF with your logo, readings, photos and signatures • Refrigerant log for EPA recordkeeping, with CSV export REFRIGERANT PT CHART FOR 150+ REFRIGERANTS • Pressure-temperature tables with glide, bubble and dew points, in psig or kPa and °F or °C • GWP, oil type and replaces / replaced-by lineage for every refrigerant 37 HVAC CALCULATORS • Superheat calculator, target superheat, compression ratio, condenser split • Duct calculator (round, rectangular, oval), airflow CFM, static pressure • HVAC load calculator (Manual J-lite), psychrometrics, enthalpy, dew point • Electrical: voltage drop, wire size, 3-phase power, kW / HP / BTU • Gas input, hydronic GPM, EER, furnace temperature rise and more • Voltage imbalance, recovery cylinder fill, line-set charge, annual leak rate, SEER to SEER2 EPA 608 CERTIFICATION PREP • 800+ original practice questions for Core and Type I / II / III • Study mode with instant explanations, timed Exam mode, Review my mistakes • Universal mock exam: 100 questions, graded section by section like the real test • Exam readiness score and per-section accuracy HVAC TRAINING ACADEMY • 18 lessons: refrigeration cycle, superheat and subcooling, charging, airflow, electrical basics, psychrometrics, A2L refrigerants, heat pumps, mini-splits, evacuation, brazing, 2026 refrigerant rules, gas furnaces, compressor diagnosis • Quick check-yourself quiz after every lesson • 120 flashcards with spaced repetition and a searchable HVAC glossary • Interactive refrigeration-cycle diagram • Daily study streak and a shareable completion certificate AI COACH (online) • Ask air conditioning and refrigeration questions and get clear, practical answers in the field Works on iPhone and iPad, in English and Spanish (Español), fully offline except the AI Coach. No account, no ads, no tracking. Pick your own accent color. Coolbench Pro is a one-time purchase that unlocks every calculator, the full refrigerant set, the Advanced Academy, all flashcard decks, the Universal mock exam and the AI Coach. No subscription, ever. Coolbench is an educational reference tool. Always verify against manufacturer specifications and follow all applicable codes. Completion certificates are training records, not EPA certification. Terms of Use: https://sites.google.com/view/terms-of-use-coolbench-hvac-to/home Privacy Policy: https://sites.google.com/view/privacypolicycoolbenchhvactool/home

Screenshots

Refrigeration CycleAnalyst4 screens
Coolbench4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Refrigeration CycleAnalyst at every 3 weeks against Coolbench's every 3 months. Refrigeration CycleAnalyst also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). 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. Refrigeration CycleAnalyst sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and Coolbench sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Refrigeration CycleAnalyst ships an update every 3 weeks, Coolbench every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 4 level
Refrigeration CycleAnalyst versus Coolbench: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRefrigeration CycleAnalystCoolbench
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size72 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSteven McdevittMonirujjaman Monjil

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Refrigeration CycleAnalyst

Subscriptions2
  • RCA Monthly Subscription$9.991 Month
  • RCA Annual Subscription$99.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime license$19.99
1 purchases

Coolbench

One-time1
  • Coolbench Pro$12.99

Questions

Is Refrigeration CycleAnalyst free?
Refrigeration CycleAnalyst is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Coolbench free?
Coolbench is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Refrigeration CycleAnalyst or Coolbench have ads?
Neither Refrigeration CycleAnalyst nor Coolbench shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Refrigeration CycleAnalyst or Coolbench?
Refrigeration CycleAnalyst ships an update every 3 weeks, and Coolbench every 3 months. Most recently, Refrigeration CycleAnalyst was updated on October 28, 2026 and Coolbench on October 25, 2026.

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