# 18Birdies vs Handicap Tracker

The clearest difference is ads: 18Birdies at none against Handicap Tracker's shown. 18Birdies also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.6) and ratings volume (306K vs 213). Handicap Tracker's advantage is monetization model (ad-supported vs freemium). On price, review sentiment, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. 18Birdies sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days and Handicap Tracker sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

18Birdies holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: 18Birdies has 306K ratings behind it against 213, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 74% and 73% positive.

18Birdies ships an update weekly, Handicap Tracker every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | 18Birdies | Handicap Tracker |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (306K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/18birdies-golf-gps-tracker/id892700751/reviews)** | [4.6 (213 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/handicap-tracker/id1282158690/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **306K** | 213 |
| Positive reviews | **73.7% of reviews** | 72.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Freemium | **Ad-supported** |
| Best chart rank | **#6** | — |
| Size | 297 MB | 26 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [18Birdies LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/955324369) | [corey smith](https://appshunter.io/developer/1273550234) |

## What reviewers say

### 18Birdies

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/18birdies-golf-gps-tracker/id892700751)

**Currently charting:** #6 Top Grossing · Sports, #57 Top Free · Sports (US App Store)

This app provides advanced GPS technology and game improvement tools for golfers. It offers personalized training, AI swing analysis, and a community to connect with friends and compete. Improve your game with detailed stats and course insights.

**Highlights:** GPS Rangefinder, Digital Scorecard, Handicap Tracking, AI Swing Analyzer, Golf Community, Shot Tracking, 3D Green Maps

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 18Birdies Premium | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Premium Subscription | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Premium Subscription WB | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Premium Subscription | $9.99 | per month |
| 18Birdies Premium | $9.99 | per month |
| Monthly Premium Subscription W | $19.99 | per month |
| Monthly Premium Subscription | $19.99 | per month |
| Yearly Premium Subscription WB | $69.99 | per year |
| Yearly Premium Subscription | $99.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Accurate GPS
- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Helpful features
- 👍 Great app
- 👍 Useful for improving game

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🐛 Yardages inaccurate on Apple Watch
- 🐛 Buggy after updates
- 🐛 Difficult to use
- 🐛 Annoying referral prompts

**Reported bugs**

- Yardages not syncing correctly between watch and phone
- Inability to save rounds or enter scores
- Incorrect course information and tee box layouts
- Frequent crashes and performance issues

**Requested features**

- Automatic handicap calculation
- Customizable home course stats
- Dark mode option
- Ability to record scores for non-app users
- Layup yardages and hazard distances


### Handicap Tracker

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/handicap-tracker/id1282158690)

This app helps golfers calculate and monitor their handicap using the USGA WHS formula. Track your progress over time and view individual round differentials. It's designed for personal use and is not affiliated with the USGA.

**Highlights:** Calculate golf handicap (USGA WHS), Support for any golf course, Track progress over time, View individual round differential, Simple and easy to use

**Features:** Vision Pro support, iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Handicap Tracker Pro Yearly | $19.99 | per year |
| Handicap Tracker Pro - Lifetime | $59.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Free and accurate handicap
- 👍 Easy to use interface
- 👍 9-hole rounds count
- 👍 Saves all scores and courses
- 👍 No subscription required

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Data loss issues
- 🐛 Inaccurate calculations reported
- 🐛 App stopped working
- 🐛 Requires manual course entry
- 🐛 Ads present

**Reported bugs**

- All data deleted
- Scores and courses disappeared
- Handicap stayed the same
- Unable to send email to support
- All data gone after season

**Requested features**

- Option to select app icon
- Show round differentials on rounds list
- Link to course database for easier entry
- Allow entry of gross and adjusted gross scores
- Option to input adjusted gross score


## Frequently asked questions

### Is 18Birdies free?

18Birdies is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Handicap Tracker free?

Handicap Tracker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, 18Birdies or Handicap Tracker?

18Birdies is rated higher. 18Birdies averages 4.9 out of 5 from 306K ratings, while Handicap Tracker averages 4.6 from 213 ratings.

### Do 18Birdies or Handicap Tracker have ads?

Handicap Tracker shows ads; 18Birdies does not.

### Which is updated more often, 18Birdies or Handicap Tracker?

18Birdies ships an update weekly, and Handicap Tracker every 3 weeks. Most recently, 18Birdies was updated on October 29, 2026 and Handicap Tracker on October 26, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*