Spoolman GO vs BamBuddy
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Spoolman GO
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Spoolman GO is the iPhone companion app for your self-hosted Spoolman or FilaMan-compatible server. Manage your filament spools, track inventory, and write NFC tags in the OpenSpool format — right from your iPhone. FEATURES • Dashboard with inventory overview: total weight, material distribution, low-stock warnings, and manufacturer statistics at a glance • Spool list with search and filters by material, manufacturer, location, and stock status, including a remaining-weight status indicator • Detail view with all filament data, settings, and remaining weight • Book filament consumption and log measured remaining weight • Overview for spools, filaments, vendors, and locations — edit all fields • Multi-color display: pie chart (coaxial) or linear gradient (longitudinal) in lists and details • Scan QR codes and open the matching spool directly (`/spool/show/...` and `WEB+SPOOLMAN:S-...`) • Read and write passive NFC tags (OpenSpool 1.0, NDEF MIME application/json; no direct printer or accessory pairing) • Automatically store NFC tag UID on the matching spool (lot_nr) • Auto-detect API: native Spoolman (/api/v1) or FilaMan Spoolman compatibility (/spoolman/api/v1) • Light / Dark / System color scheme • Demo Mode: explore the general app UI without a server using realistic sample data; writing NFC tags requires Live Mode • No account, no cloud service — all your data stays with you • Settings: server connection, appearance and language, low-stock threshold • Improved VoiceOver support with labeled actions, form fields, filters, and purchase states REQUIREMENTS • Self-hosted Spoolman or FilaMan with Spoolman-API Plugin • For NFC: iPhone 7 or newer, iOS 13+, physical device required (not Simulator) • For QR scanning: camera access PRIVACY Spoolman GO collects no user data. All settings are stored locally. The app only communicates with the server you configure. TERMS OF USE Apple Standard EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
BamBuddy
Monitor and control your 3D printers remotely with live status updates, camera feeds, and print management. Offers advanced features like AI assistance and smart notifications for a seamless printing experience.
- Live printer status and camera feed
- Remote print control (pause, resume, stop)
- Filament and error message monitoring
- Print statistics and history
- Live Activity and Lock Screen widgets
- AI Print Assistant for error codes
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BamBuddy is the companion app for your self-hosted Bambuddy server. Monitor and control your Bambu Lab 3D printers from iPhone and iPad: over your local network at home, via your remote address on the go. The app switches automatically. LIVE ON YOUR LOCK SCREEN • Live Activity with progress, finish time and a pause button, also in the Dynamic Island and StandBy • Widgets for your Home Screen and Lock Screen, with pause and chamber light without opening the app • Chamber light and BamBuddy in Control Center and on the Action button • Ask Siri: "How's my print in BamBuddy?" MONITOR EVERYTHING LIVE • Real-time status: progress, layers, time remaining and finish time • Live camera view, with a snapshot you can share instantly • Temperatures, fans and AMS units with filament colors • Filament overview: every spool on one screen, including what's running low • HMS error messages right in view CONTROL WITH CONFIDENCE • Pause, resume or stop prints • Print speed and chamber light • Manage the queue: start, reorder, cancel • Archive with favorites and print history STATISTICS • Success rate, print hours, filament usage, cost and energy • Charts by filament type and by printer FREE AND PRO The free version controls one printer, including widgets, Siri and all the features above. BamBuddy Pro (subscription or one-time purchase, 7-day free trial) adds: • Unlimited printers: your entire print farm in one app • Live Activity and Dynamic Island for every print • AI Print Assistant: explains error codes and gives advice on failed prints, fully on-device with Apple Intelligence • AI Insights: analysis of your print statistics with practical tips • Smart notifications: print finished or failed, printer error, filament running low PRIVACY FIRST No account, no cloud, no tracking. The app only talks to your own server. Your server token is stored securely in the Keychain. Available in English, Dutch, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese and Chinese. Requires a running Bambuddy server (open source, free). SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION BamBuddy Pro is available as a monthly subscription (EUR 1.99 per month) or an annual subscription (EUR 14.99 per year, with a 7-day free trial). There is also a one-time lifetime purchase (EUR 29.99). Prices may vary by country; the App Store shows the price in your currency. Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. A subscription renews automatically unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period; your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours before the end of the period. You can manage and cancel your subscriptions in your Apple Account settings. Any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited when you purchase a subscription. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://wemeekit.nl/privacy/bambuddy/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Spoolman GO at weekly against BamBuddy's every 2 weeks. 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
Both are free to download. Spoolman GO sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $2.99 per month and BamBuddy sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Spoolman GO ships an update weekly, BamBuddy every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Spoolman GO | BamBuddy |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 1 — better |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Every 2 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | — | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 54 MB | 20 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | FLORIAN BERTHOLD PFLAUM | WeMeekIt |
In-app purchases
Spoolman GO
- Spoolman GO Monthly$2.991 Month
BamBuddy
- Pro Monthly$1.991 Month
- Pro Yearly7 Days trial$12.991 Year
- Pro Lifetime$24.99








