ChainRanger vs DiscBase
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ChainRanger
This app uses your phone's camera to instantly measure the distance to a disc golf basket, indicating whether it's uphill or downhill. It helps players understand putting rules and strategize throws based on elevation and distance.
- Real-time camera-based rangefinder
- Measures distance in meters or feet
- Detects uphill/downhill angles
- Calculates plays-like distance with elevation
- LiDAR assist for iPhone Pro models
- Basket presets and custom dimensions
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ChainRanger turns your phone into a disc golf rangefinder. Point your camera at the basket and the on-device AI finds the chains and shows the distance instantly — in meters or feet, plus whether the basket sits uphill or downhill. No laser, no GPS waiting, no pacing it off. HOW IT WORKS • Aim your camera at the disc golf basket. • ChainRanger detects the basket in real time and calculates the distance. • A stabilized reading shows on screen. All image processing happens 100% on your phone. Camera frames are never uploaded anywhere. KNOW YOUR CIRCLES Distance to the basket is not just a number — it decides which rules and stats apply: • Circle 1 (C1) is everything within 10 meters (33 ft) of the basket. Inside Circle 1 the putting stance rule applies: after releasing the putt you may not step past your marker, you must show full balance behind it. ChainRanger tells you instantly whether you are inside the 10 m circle, so a borderline lie never catches you out. • Circle 2 (C2) reaches from 10 to 20 meters (33–66 ft). Putts made from here separate good rounds from great ones. • Parked, C1X and C2 are the stat categories that actually measure putting: Parked is inside 3.3 m (11 ft), C1X counts Circle 1 putts excluding parked tap-ins, and C2 covers the long range. When you know the exact distance, every putt goes into the right category. READ THE ELEVATION — AND WHAT IT PLAYS LIKE Distance alone doesn't tell the whole story: an uphill basket plays longer, a downhill one shorter — and because a disc glides, every meter of height changes the throw far more than in ball golf. ChainRanger reads your phone's tilt to show the up/downhill angle and the height difference, and Full Range adds the plays-like distance from a disc-flight model, so you can pick your disc and power with confidence. LIDAR ASSIST ON IPHONE PRO On LiDAR-equipped iPhones, ChainRanger fuses the scanner with the camera measurement for sharper readings at close range. LiDAR also unlocks tape-free calibration — dial in your camera and basket dimensions without a measuring tape. On other iPhones the app measures with the camera only. PERFECT FOR PUTTING PRACTICE Set up at exact distances for structured putting routines. Train at 5, 7 and 10 meters instead of guessing — and watch your C1X percentage climb. FREE AND FULL RANGE • Free: exact distance everywhere inside Circle 1 (10 m) — a complete putting trainer. • Full Range (one-time purchase, no subscription): exact distance at all ranges, including Circle 2 and beyond, plus the plays-like distance on sloped holes. FEATURES • Real-time disc golf rangefinder using your camera • Distance to the basket in meters or feet • LiDAR assist on iPhone Pro models for close-range precision • Uphill/downhill angle and height difference to the basket • Plays-like distance on elevation, from a disc-flight model (Full Range) • Basket presets for PDGA-verified target models, or dial in custom dimensions • Calibrate at any known distance — the hole length from the tee sign will do • Three detection modes: Simple is the lightest, Pro sees the farthest, Balanced fits most iPhones best • Stabilized reading with a soft haptic tick when it settles • Hold button to freeze the reading • Magnifier zoom to reach far-away baskets • Supports multiple rear camera lenses with per-lens calibration • Smart exposure that locks onto the detected basket, tap to adjust • Power-saving mode and automatic heat protection for long sessions • Built-in guide with tips for getting the best readings • 100% on-device AI — works without a network connection
DiscBase
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DiscBase is your all-in-one disc golf companion for finding discs, building your bag, comparing flight numbers, tracking rounds, and choosing the right disc for every shot. Browse a large catalog of disc golf discs and quickly compare speed, glide, turn, fade, and flight paths. Build your personal bag, visualize your discs on an interactive flight chart, and use Find My Disc to get recommendations based on the shot you need. DiscBase features include: • Disc golf disc finder and recommendations • Large searchable disc catalog • Interactive disc flight charts • Side-by-side disc comparison • Personal disc golf bag • Quick scorecard for tracking rounds • Caddy recommendations based on distance and shot shape • Backhand and forehand distance tracking DiscBase Pro unlocks personalized tools including your real disc distances, advanced Caddy recommendations, bag gap and overlap analysis, and enhanced flight-chart tools. Whether you're building your first bag or fine-tuning an experienced player's lineup, DiscBase helps you understand your discs and make better decisions on the course. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: DiscBase at every 2 days against ChainRanger's weekly. DiscBase also leads on device support (3 vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. ChainRanger sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and DiscBase sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
ChainRanger ships an update weekly, DiscBase every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | ChainRanger | DiscBase |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Weekly | Every 2 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 66 MB | 27 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | RIKU-MATTI HEIKKI INNILA | JASON CRAIG WEEKS |
In-app purchases
ChainRanger
- Full Range$12.99
DiscBase
- DiscBase Pro Monthly7 Days trial$2.991 Month
- DiscBase Pro Annual7 Days trial$19.991 Year









