PitchSim vs Tracking Lab
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
PitchSim
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PitchSim visualizes baseball pitch trajectories through physics simulation. Without throwing a single ball, just adjust velocity, spin rate, spin axis, and gyro spin to see how 15 pitch types move in real time — from a 4-seam fastball to a knuckleball. [Who It's For] · Fans who want to understand why Darvish's slider breaks the way it does · Pitchers and coaches who want to learn spin axis and gyro effects without a Rapsodo · Physics enthusiasts who want to experience the Magnus effect and Seam-Shifted Wake firsthand [Features] ■ 15 Pitch Presets 4-Seam Fastball, 2-Seam Fastball, Sinker, Changeup, Curveball, Slider, Gyro Slider, Cutter, Sweeper, Shoot, Splitter, Forkball, Knuckleball, SSW Demo ↘, SSW Demo ↖ ■ 3D View (4 Angles) Catcher, Right-Hand Batter, Left-Hand Batter, and Orbit views. Freely rotate in Orbit mode to see the full 3D trajectory. ■ Parameter Control Adjust velocity, spin rate, spin axis, and gyro spin with sliders. Changes reflect instantly in the 3D view. ■ Freeze at Zone Pause the ball exactly as it reaches the front of the strike zone. Compare ABS (Automated Ball-Strike) and rulebook judgements side by side. ■ Pitch Comparison (up to 8) Overlay multiple pitches to compare trajectories visually. Great for understanding pitch sequencing and tunneling. ■ Stats Panel Displays horizontal break, vertical break (IVB), exit velocity, and hop component — all in Statcast-compatible units (cm / inches). ■ 2D Views Switch between pitcher's-eye and top-down views for horizontal break analysis. [Physics Model] Based on Alan Nathan's baseball physics model (University of Illinois). Implements Magnus force, aerodynamic drag, gyro spin effects, and seam drag. v2.0 adds SSW (Seam-Shifted Wake) — a physics-based model of the asymmetric wake caused by seam orientation, improving accuracy for sliders, cutters, sinkers, and other seam-sensitive pitches. Calibrated against Statcast data. [Free vs. Full Access] Free: 6 pitches (Fastball, Curveball, Slider, SSW Demo ↘, SSW Demo ↖, Knuckleball), Catcher view only PitchSim First (one-time purchase): All 15 pitches, 4 views, Freeze, Pitch Comparison, Stats, and SSW auto-optimization Design pitches. Understand the physics. No ball required.
Tracking Lab
Design, refine, and test baseball pitches with realistic physics simulations. Analyze metrics like velocity and spin rate, practice your release, and compete on a global leaderboard. All features run offline on your device.
- Design pitches with real-time metric response
- Physics simulation of pitch trajectory
- Practice release repeatability
- Test pitches against a target
- Global leaderboard competition
- Offline device-based operation
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Tracking Lab is a pitch lab for enjoying pitch-tracking data. Design your stuff — velocity, spin rate, spin axis, gyro angle — and watch the physics simulation draw the trajectory instantly. PITCH DESIGN — Create Shape your pitch with mixer-style faders. Tracking metrics — spin efficiency, movement, Bauer Units — respond in real time. Save your creations as My Pitches. BULLPEN — Refine Hold the ball and release the moment the green ring wraps it. Early or late releases and finger slip carry into the flight; after landing you see why you missed and by how far. The 10-pitch exam grades your release repeatability A–E while the catcher's target moves every pitch. STRUCK OUT — Test Break the nine-panel target with the pitches you refined. Scoring with a pitch you designed yourself multiplies your points, and your best score goes to the Game Center global leaderboard. Everything — measurement, simulation, records — runs on your device. No account, no ads. LAB PRO (one-time purchase) - More saved-pitch slots - Exam history with a progress graph - CSV export of your records
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Tracking Lab at every 4 days against PitchSim's every 2 weeks. Tracking Lab also leads on iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). 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. PitchSim sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Tracking Lab sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
PitchSim ships an update every 2 weeks, Tracking Lab every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | PitchSim | Tracking Lab |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | 17.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | HIROSHI YASUNAGA | Takayuki Hamuro |
In-app purchases
PitchSim
- PitchSim First (Full Access)$9.99
Tracking Lab
- Lab Pro$3.99
Questions
Is PitchSim free?
Is Tracking Lab free?
Do PitchSim or Tracking Lab have ads?
Which is updated more often, PitchSim or Tracking Lab?
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