# CardStack vs Control

The clearest difference is update cadence: Control at every 4 days against CardStack's every 2 weeks. Control also leads on device support (4 vs 2). CardStack's advantage is chart position (#165 vs unranked) and ratings volume (53 vs 13). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. CardStack sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month and Control sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for CardStack against 4.4 for Control. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 53 and 13 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 94% of CardStack's written reviews are positive against 96% of Control's.

CardStack ships an update every 2 weeks, Control every 4 days. Both last shipped on November 5, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | CardStack | Control |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (53 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cardstack-credit-card-tracker/id6759270863/reviews)** | [4.4 (13 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/control-budget-tracker/id6759602182/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **53** | 13 |
| Positive reviews | 94.4% of reviews | **96.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#165** | — |
| Size | 259 MB | 57 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [SPACE ROBOTS INC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1877786048) | [Alex Patrick Palacean](https://appshunter.io/developer/1879209041) |

## What reviewers say

### CardStack

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cardstack-credit-card-tracker/id6759270863)

**Currently charting:** #165 Top Grossing · Finance (US App Store)

This app helps you maximize rewards and savings from your credit cards. It tracks perks, statement credits, and points, offering AI-powered advice to ensure your cards always pay you back more than they cost. Get personalized recommendations and automated offer management.

**Highlights:** Maximize cashback and offers, Track statement credits automatically, Redeem points at peak value, AI agent for personalized advice, See which card earns the most, Track points portfolio, Annual fee advisor

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Safari Extension, Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support, iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| CardStack+ | $12.99 | per month |
| CardStack+ | $89.99 | per year |
| CardStack+ Lifetime | $239.99 | one-time |


### Control

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/control-budget-tracker/id6759602182)

Effortlessly manage your money with an intuitive and visually appealing budgeting app. Track expenses, monitor investments, and gain financial insights with AI assistance. Features include automatic transaction import, bill splitting, and customizable reports.

**Highlights:** Automatic transaction import, AI-powered financial insights, Bill splitting, Investment tracking, Customizable budgets, Receipt scanning, Travel and business expense tracking

**Features:** Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support, iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Control Monthly | $3.99 | per month |
| Lifetime payment | $17.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is CardStack free?

CardStack is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Control free?

Control is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, CardStack or Control?

CardStack is rated higher. CardStack averages 4.5 out of 5 from 53 ratings, while Control averages 4.4 from 13 ratings.

### Do CardStack or Control have ads?

Neither CardStack nor Control shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, CardStack or Control?

CardStack ships an update every 2 weeks, and Control every 4 days. Most recently, CardStack was updated on November 5, 2026 and Control on November 5, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*