Comparison

Chemdata vs Decon Field Guide

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

Head to head
About

Chemdata

Access a comprehensive chemical hazard database offline for incident management. Provides detailed information on over 62,000 chemicals, including safety, transport, and emergency response guidance. Offers multilingual support and regular updates.

Highlights
  • Offline chemical database access
  • Hazardous chemical identification
  • Incident command support
  • Transport classification
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) guidance
  • Multilingual support (EN, NL, FR, DE, ES)
Features
Read full description

If your organisation handles chemicals and you need to know how to manage their risks, Pocket Chemdata® is simply a 'must have'. Pocket Chemdata is a reliable, interactive database subscription service providing access to over 62,000 documents and more than 186,000 different chemical names including pure and trade-name chemicals. Pocket Chemdata provides clear information including how to manage their hazardous affects. PRODUCT BENEFITS: •Simple and easy-to-use chemical and chemical hazard identification •Incident commanders can access chemical information from anywhere in the world (no internet connection required) •Helps to mitigate the consequences of incidents •Regularly updated database, so users always have the latest information •Information is installed on the device, so an internet connection is not required to access data •Provides the same clear concise advice as the standard Chemdata® FEATURES: •Powerful search functionality for efficient chemical identification •UN number, ADR HIN, EAC codes •Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements •Physical form information •Transport classification •Chemical hazard information (only available to subscribers) •Reactivity guidance (only available to subscribers) •Fire, decontamination and first aid advice (only available to subscribers) •Precautions information including large and small spill advice (only available to subscribers) •Environmental data (only available to subscribers) •Physical properties (only available to subscribers) •Add private notes and comments against chemical records (only available to subscribers) •Sync private notes and comments with your organisation’s central Chemdata solution (only available to subscribers) Designed and continuously maintained by emergency responders from Ricardo's NCEC, one of the world's leading chemical emergency centres, Pocket Chemdata is one of the most trusted sources of chemical information available. Data is updated approximately twice a year to ensure responders have access to up-to-date information. Pocket Chemdata is used globally by organisations, including fire and other emergency services, to provide invaluable and timely advice in the event of chemical spillages, fires and contamination incidents. Trust Pocket Chemdata for clear and concise information on more than 62,000 substances, at your fingertips. The free app provides access to one full record, to demonstrate the full capabilities of the system, this can be found by searching for the ‘Chlorine’ record or document number 5. LANGUAGES As well as English, Pocket Chemdata includes Dutch, French, German and Spanish translations - all in the one app. SUPPORT We would really like to know what you think about Pocket Chemdata, so please visit www.chemdata.co.uk to provide feedback or ask questions. Alternatively, you can email us at chemdata@ricardo.com. Chemdata® and Pocket Chemdata® have been developed for NCEC by Ark Software Ltd and Payot Ltd.

About

Decon Field Guide

This reference app provides quick and efficient decontamination methods for hundreds of threats. It features a classic Threat Index, pictorial instructions, and an in-app dwell timer to guide users through mission execution. Designed for approved users, it aims to make anyone an instant decontamination expert.

Highlights
  • Threat Index for decontamination methods
  • Pictorial instructions
  • In-app dwell timer
  • Covers hundreds of threats
  • Designed for approved users
Features
Read full description

Imagine decontamination in the palm of your hand. Introducing the all-new, redesigned Decon Field Guide. Using the same classic Threat Index, quickly and efficiently determine proper decontamination methods for hundreds of known and emerging threats and execute your mission flawlessly utilizing pictorial instructions and in-app dwell timer. Become an instant decontamination expert with the Decon Field Guide. Only available for approved users. Download now.

Screenshots

Chemdata3 screens
Decon Field Guide4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Chemdata at 67% against Decon Field Guide's 0%. Chemdata also leads on ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs ad-supported). Decon Field Guide's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 19 months). On price, in-app purchases, 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

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Chemdata ships an update every 19 months, Decon Field Guide every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on June 5, 2026 and June 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Chemdata versus Decon Field Guide: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChemdataDecon Field Guide
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.6 (8 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—8 — better
Update frequencyEvery 19 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterAd-supported
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size49 MB73 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperRicardo-AEA ltdFirst Line Technology, LLC

Customer experience

Chemdata

Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

Decon Field Guide

All ratings8 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral12.5%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Chemdata

No in-app purchases

None

Decon Field Guide

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Chemdata free?
Chemdata is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Decon Field Guide free?
Decon Field Guide is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Chemdata or Decon Field Guide have ads?
Decon Field Guide shows ads; Chemdata does not.
Which is updated more often, Chemdata or Decon Field Guide?
Chemdata ships an update every 19 months, and Decon Field Guide every 2 months. Most recently, Chemdata was updated on June 5, 2026 and Decon Field Guide on June 4, 2026.

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