Comparison

Dialed In vs Grindstep

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

Head to head
About

Dialed In

This app helps home baristas track and analyze their espresso shots. Log key variables like time, dose, and yield to understand your extraction and improve your technique. Manage your coffee beans and visualize trends to consistently pull better shots.

Highlights
  • Log shot time, dose, yield, grind size
  • In-app timer
  • Automatic extraction labeling
  • Trend charts for visualization
  • Coffee bean library
  • iCloud backup (premium)
  • Custom fields (premium)
Features
Read full description

Dialed In is the shot logging companion built for home baristas who take their craft seriously. Whether you're dialing in a new bean or chasing a personal best, Dialed In tracks every variable that matters so you can pull better shots whether you’re learning or an experienced barista. **TRACK WHAT MATTERS** Log shot time, dose, yield, grind size, and notes alongside every shot. Each entry builds a complete picture of your technique over time. Use the in-app timer with a tap, or enter the time your machine already provides. Either way, your data is captured accurately and consistently. **KNOW YOUR EXTRACTION** Every shot is automatically labelled — Very Under, Slightly Under, Good, Slightly Over, or Very Over — based on your brew ratio or shot time. See at a glance what went wrong and what went right, without doing the math yourself. **SEE YOUR TRENDS** The trend charts lets you visualize extraction time, grind setting, and brew ratio across your recent shots. Spot the moment your dial-in clicked, or when an adjustment threw something off. **MANAGE YOUR BEANS** Keep a library of your coffees. Log shots against specific beans and see how each one performs as you work through a bag. **PREMIUM: iCLOUD BACKUP & CUSTOM FIELDS** Back up your shot history automatically to iCloud and restore it anytime. Add custom fields to capture anything your workflow requires — water temperature, crema color, acidity, specific flavors, or anything your heart desires. Dialed In is built for iOS and feels at home on your iPhone. No account required. No subscription needed to get started.

About

Grindstep

Read full description

Dial in espresso with a clear next step—not another vague “grind finer.” Grindstep is an espresso shot log and grind calculator for home baristas. Record what happened, learn how your grinder changes shot time, and get a specific setting adjustment once there is enough history. Every quantitative recommendation includes the math and confidence behind it. LOG EACH SHOT, THEN KNOW WHAT TO CHANGE • Record grind setting, dose, yield, brew ratio, time, temperature, TDS, and taste • Use the built-in shot timer and repeat your last setup • Get free directional guidance from taste and timing • Unlock quantitative recommendations based on your own grinder data START EACH BAG CLOSER First Shot Forecast uses your previously dialed-in bags to suggest a starting grind setting. The source is always shown, so you can judge the suggestion before using it. SEE YOUR DIAL-IN PATH • Follow every bag from first pull to locked recipe • View a Brew Control Chart with measured TDS points or clearly marked estimated regions • Track roast age and see how your dialed setting moves over time • Freeze a bag without letting its roast-age clock keep running BUILT FOR THE MORNING RUSH Save bags, grinders, machines, recipes, costs, and tasting notes without turning each shot into paperwork. With Pro, widgets and Repeat Last Shot make your usual workflow faster. PRIVATE AND PORTABLE No account is required. Your coffee data stays on your iPhone. Import compatible coffee logs and export your full archive as JSON or your shots as CSV. FREE INCLUDES • Unlimited shot logging and the timer • Directional dial-in guidance • Two active bags, one grinder, and one machine • Basic stats plus import and export GRINDSTEP PRO ADDS • Quantitative grind adjustments with visible math • First Shot Forecast • Brew Control Chart and roast-age drift • Unlimited bags and equipment • Cost analytics, widgets, share cards, and optional water/accessory fields Grindstep includes optional in-app purchases. Pro is available as a one-time Lifetime purchase or an auto-renewing Annual plan with a 7-day free trial. Prices vary by storefront and are shown before purchase. The Annual plan renews automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel in your Apple Account settings. Download Grindstep, log your next shot, and turn the result into a clearer next move. Privacy Policy: https://app-legal-pages.vercel.app/grindstep/privacy Terms of Service: https://app-legal-pages.vercel.app/grindstep/terms Support: captainlongevity@gmail.com

Screenshots

Dialed In4 screens
Grindstep4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Grindstep at monthly against Dialed In's every 4 months. Dialed In's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.2). On price, ads and in-app purchases 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. Dialed In sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Grindstep sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Dialed In ships an update every 4 months, Grindstep monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Dialed In versus Grindstep: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDialed InGrindstep
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.2
Further details — not scored
Size23 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAndrew Mitstifer慧慧 高

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Dialed In

One-time1
  • Dialed In Premium$2.99
2 purchases

Grindstep

Subscriptions1
  • Pro Annual7 Days trial$4.991 Year
One-time1
  • Pro Lifetime$14.99

Questions

Is Dialed In free?
Dialed In is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Grindstep free?
Grindstep is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Dialed In or Grindstep have ads?
Neither Dialed In nor Grindstep shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Dialed In or Grindstep?
Dialed In ships an update every 4 months, and Grindstep monthly. Most recently, Dialed In was updated on October 31, 2026 and Grindstep on October 12, 2026.

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