Comparison

ShellRef vs Learn Binary

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

Head to head
About

ShellRef

This app provides an offline reference for Bash, Zsh, and terminal editors, mimicking a retro technical manual. It's ideal for quickly looking up commands, syntax, and scripting practices without needing an internet connection. Features include search, bookmarks, and customizable display themes.

Highlights
  • Offline Bash and Zsh reference
  • Terminal editor guides (Nano, Vim, Emacs)
  • Quick command lookup
  • Searchable content
  • Customizable themes
  • Adjustable text size
  • Bookmarks
Features
Read full description

ShellRef is an offline reference for Bash, Zsh, and terminal editors, presented as a focused CRT console reference manual. It’s designed for quick lookup while you work—whether you’re writing your first shell script, checking quoting rules, reviewing Zsh behavior, or trying to remember a Vim command without opening a browser. The app includes reference sections for: • Bash fundamentals, control flow, functions, strings and arrays, file I/O, processes, and scripting practices • Zsh differences, globbing, arrays, and configuration • Common command-line tools for text processing, file operations, and system tasks • Terminal editors including Nano, Vim, and Emacs Topics are organized as short reference entries with examples, notes, warnings, and tables where they help clarify syntax and behavior. ShellRef also includes: • Offline access to the full reference library • Search across commands, topics, examples, and notes • My Quick Refs for saving frequently used entries • A CRT-inspired interface with White, Green, and Amber phosphor display modes • Optional scanlines and adjustable display glow • Reduced-effects controls for a cleaner reading experience • Adjustable text size for easier reading on iPhone and iPad ShellRef is intended for developers, sysadmins, students, and anyone who wants a readable shell reference without ads, accounts, or an internet connection.

About

Learn Binary

Master number-base conversion through interactive drills and visual aids. This app offers a gamified learning experience with a level-based progression and daily habit-building features to help users understand binary and hexadecimal systems.

Highlights
  • Number-base conversion drills (decimal, binary, hex)
  • Tappable bit row and keypad input
  • Place-value breakdown explanations
  • Level-based progression system
  • Two's-complement representation
  • Bitwise operations practice
  • Offline functionality
Features
Read full description

Finally understand binary and hex — by doing, not memorising. Learn Binary turns number-base conversion into fast, satisfying drills. See a number, build the answer on a tappable bit row or a clean keypad, and get an instant verdict with the place-value breakdown behind it. It's built around how you actually learn: a level climb, an ~80% mastery gate, and a three-minute daily habit. WHAT'S INSIDE - The drill — convert decimal ⇄ binary ⇄ hex, both directions. Tap the bits or type the digits, confirm, and see exactly why the answer is what it is. - The nibble block — the standout: see how 0x61 = 0110 0001 = 97, with hex sat over colour-coded 4-bit nibbles. This is the trick that makes hex click. - A level climb — one level per bit, from the first switch up to the full byte (the 256 Club) and beyond. Clear a level test to unlock the next. - Two's-complement — read and write signed bytes, with the sign-bit reveal. - Bitwise ops — AND, OR and XOR, worked one column at a time. - Byte Speed Run — an optional 60-second timed challenge once you've earned it. - Daily goal + streak — a gentle habit, with a streak freeze so one missed day doesn't wipe your progress. - Explore — scrub a number and watch decimal, binary and hex move together. BUILT RIGHT - Fully offline — no account, no sign-up, no tracking required. - A clean, friendly light design in apricot and teal. Remove ads with a single one-time purchase — it removes the interstitial ads, and it's the only thing we'll ever ask you to buy.

Screenshots

ShellRef4 screens
Learn Binary4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Learn Binary at Free against ShellRef's $0.99. ShellRef's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On rating, ratings volume, device support and iOS requirement 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

Learn Binary is free to download; ShellRef costs $0.99 up front. Learn Binary sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. ShellRef asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for ShellRef against 5.0 for Learn Binary. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 5 level
ShellRef versus Learn Binary: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShellRefLearn Binary
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Number of ratings11
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks—
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.616.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB26 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAndrew BaconTapricot

In-app purchases

None

ShellRef

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Learn Binary

One-time1
  • Remove Ads$3.99

Questions

Is ShellRef free?
ShellRef costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Learn Binary free?
Learn Binary is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, ShellRef or Learn Binary?
ShellRef and Learn Binary are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do ShellRef or Learn Binary have ads?
Learn Binary shows ads; ShellRef does not.

Other comparisons