Comparison

ChipLog Pro vs PCB Studio Maker

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

Head to head
About

ChipLog Pro

Transform your iPhone into an electronic component scanner. This app uses AI to identify chips and parts with professional accuracy, offering a free tier for basic use and a Pro subscription for advanced features like unlimited storage and exports.

Highlights
  • AI-powered identification scanner
  • Smart camera interface with zoom and flash control
  • Organized local data vault for component scans
  • Instant PDF and CSV report exports
  • Choice of themes (Matrix, Deep Sea)
  • Privacy-first design with local data storage
Features
Read full description

Transform your iPhone into a powerful electronic component scanner. ChipLog Pro uses advanced AI to identify chips, ICs, and electronic parts with professional accuracy. ChipLog Pro has a generous "try before you buy" philosophy! Everyone gets to test the magic of our AI Engine completely for free. FREE TIER INCLUDES • UNLIMITED AI-powered part identification scans. • Store up to 10 component scans in your local vault. • Export up to 3 PDF or CSV reports. PRO TIER (With 7-DAY FREE TRIAL) For power-users, professionals, and hardware engineers, upgrading to Pro unlocks the ultimate workflow. (Subscription) • Unlimited Vault Capacity: Store as many component scans as you need without restrictions. • Unlimited PDF and CSV Exports: Export as many reports as you wish. KEY FEATURES • AI-Powered Identification Scanner • Point your camera at any electronic component and get fast identification. • Powered by AI for accurate, reliable results. • Confidence score is provided. • If satisfied with identification result you can archive the part to the Vault, else discard and try another capture. SMART CAMERA INTERFACE • Real-time targeting with crosshair reticle • Flash control (Auto/On/Off) for perfect lighting • Multi-level zoom (Wide, 2×, 5×) for detailed captures • Clean, distraction-free interface ORGANIZED DATA VAULT • Save component scans with searchable metadata: • Private - stored on your local device • Part numbers and manufacturer info • Package type and form factor • Confidence ratings • High-resolution component images • Timestamps GENERATE INSTANT EXPORTS WITH ONE TAP • PDF reports with images and metadata • CSV exports for spreadsheet analysis (ZIP file containing the CSV and hi res images; CSV has links to the images) • One-tap export to save or share CHOOSE YOUR THEME • Matrix Theme: Classic hacker aesthetic with green monospace • Deep Sea Theme: Modern blue/white sci-fi interface PRIVACY-FIRST DESIGN • All data stored locally on your device • No cloud sync or user accounts required • Absolutely no personal data or account registration required! Your vault images never leave your device. • Camera permission only (no location, contacts, etc.) FUNCTIONALITY WITHOUT INTERNET • While AI analysis does require an internet connection, even without internet the user can STILL capture parts and store them to the vault for later analysis when internet is restored. • This lets a user go into an environment without internet and capture all parts of interest and then complete the analysis at a later time when internet is available. WHO IS IT FOR? • Electronics engineers reverse-engineering boards • Makers and hobbyists identifying salvaged parts • Students learning component recognition • Technicians documenting repairs • Anyone working with PCBs and electronic hardware • NOT JUST ELECTRONICS! Anyone wanting an easy automatic way to id and catalog ANY object TECHNICAL DETAILS • Works with any visible electronic component • Geared toward electronics but can also be used to id and log ANY OBJECT at all • Integrated circuits (ICs) • Decodes axial resistor color codes for resistance value and tolerance • Microcontrollers • Memory chips • Voltage regulators • Operational amplifiers • And more... works on ANY OBJECT Download ChipLog Pro and turn confusion into clarity. Point, shoot, identify. https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula

About

PCB Studio Maker

Features
Read full description

PCB Studio Maker is a modern PCB design workspace built for Mac, iPhone and iPad. Create electronic projects from schematic to finished board using a clean, focused interface designed for fast prototyping, learning and real-world hardware development. Start with your schematic, organize components and nets, sync your design with the PCB layout, route tracks, inspect connections and preview your board in 3D before preparing it for manufacturing. KEY FEATURES • Schematic Design Create and organize electronic circuits with components, pins, nets and footprints. • PCB Layout Editor Place components, route copper tracks, add vias, inspect layers and refine your board layout. • Component Library Browse common resistors, capacitors, LEDs, connectors, ICs, MOSFETs, drivers, regulators and other electronic components. • 3D Board Preview Visualize your PCB and component placement in an interactive 3D view. • Design Rule Checks Review warnings, connectivity issues and potential design problems before manufacturing. • Manufacturing Preparation Review board layers, footprints, routing and fabrication requirements before export. • Export Tools Prepare manufacturing packages, board previews, parts lists, project files and other useful design outputs. • Multi-Device Workflow Use PCB Studio Maker on Mac, iPhone and iPad and continue designing wherever you work. PCB Studio Maker is useful for: • Electronics students • Makers and hobbyists • Embedded developers • Robotics projects • IoT development • Prototype electronics • PCB experimentation • Hardware engineers Whether you are building a simple prototype, motor controller, sensor board, embedded system or custom electronics project, PCB Studio Maker gives you the tools to move from idea to physical board in one streamlined workspace. Design. Route. Preview. Manufacture. Build your next PCB with PCB Studio Maker. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ The app uses Apple's Standard Licensed Application End User License Agreement.

Screenshots

ChipLog Pro4 screens
PCB Studio Maker4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: PCB Studio Maker at every 3 days against ChipLog Pro's monthly. ChipLog Pro's advantage is iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.6). 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. ChipLog Pro sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and PCB Studio Maker sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ChipLog Pro ships an update monthly, PCB Studio Maker every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
ChipLog Pro versus PCB Studio Maker: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChipLog ProPCB Studio Maker
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS15.1 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size51 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLong Run Investments LLCMirza Pasic

In-app purchases

3 purchases

ChipLog Pro

Subscriptions2
  • ChipLog Pro Monthly Access7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • ChipLog Pro Annual7 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • ChipLog Pro Lifetime$49.99
1 purchases

PCB Studio Maker

Subscriptions1
  • PCB Studio Pro$4.991 Month

Questions

Is ChipLog Pro free?
ChipLog Pro is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PCB Studio Maker free?
PCB Studio Maker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do ChipLog Pro or PCB Studio Maker have ads?
Neither ChipLog Pro nor PCB Studio Maker shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ChipLog Pro or PCB Studio Maker?
ChipLog Pro ships an update monthly, and PCB Studio Maker every 3 days. Most recently, ChipLog Pro was updated on September 30, 2026 and PCB Studio Maker on October 13, 2026.

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