Comparison
A Free ApiManager Alternative
ApiManager is a capable, feature-dense app, especially for commercial operations. If you mostly need solid hive records, inspections, varroa tracking and reminders without a subscription, Apiary Tools does that for free, in 22 languages.
| Apiary Tools | ApiManager | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free, donation supported | Subscription (in-app purchase) |
| Hive limit | Unlimited | Depends on plan |
| Works offline | offline-first, syncs later | varies by feature |
| Hive & inspection tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Varroa mite log | Yes | Yes |
| Free calculators & timelines | 19 tools, no account needed | No |
| Sharing / team roles | viewer / contributor / co-owner | team roles on paid plans |
| QR codes on hives | printable QR labels | Yes |
| Voice notes | No | Yes |
| Languages | 22 languages | 30+ languages |
| iOS app | Yes | Yes |
| Android app | Yes | Yes |
ApiManager details checked July 2026 from apimanager.net; their pricing and features may change. I make Apiary Tools, so keep that in mind.
Where Apiary Tools is the better fit
- You want free, not another subscription. Unlimited hives, no in-app purchases, no locked features. Donations keep the lights on.
- You want the calculators and timelines too. Syrup, mite wash, oxalic acid dosing, split and swarm timelines. 19 tools, all free, no account required.
- You want simple. Apiary Tools sticks to hives, inspections, varroa, tasks and sharing. Less to set up, faster in the yard with gloves on.
- Your yard has no signal. Everything records offline and syncs later.
Where ApiManager may be the better fit
- Your language is not one of our 22. ApiManager ships in more than 30 languages. Apiary Tools covers 22, so check the list first — and the long-form guides are still English either way.
- You want voice notes. ApiManager lets you dictate inspections instead of typing. We don't have that yet.
- You need per-user roles and permissions. ApiManager has a more developed team model. Apiary Tools shares specific hives or apiaries with a helper, which covers a spouse or a mentor but not a crew with different levels of access.
Try both, keep your data either way
ApiManager exports to Excel/CSV, and Apiary Tools imports CSV, so you can try it without risking your records. Apiary Tools exports everything back out as CSV or printable records whenever you want.
"The fact that it's tool-based is awesome. The person decides what parts they use. From a sideliner perspective you need speed on some yards and not on others."
Try it with your next inspection
Free forever, no card, no hive limits. Built by a beekeeper, supported by beekeepers.
More comparisons: best free beekeeping apps · HiveTracks alternative
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Apiary Tools really free, or is there a catch?
It is genuinely free: unlimited hives, inspections, sharing, calculators and the iOS app. No ads, no locked features. The project runs on donations from beekeepers who want it to exist.
How much does ApiManager cost?
ApiManager is subscription-based, purchased through the App Store or Google Play in-app purchase. Pricing varies by plan and region, so check apimanager.net for current rates.
Can I move my records from ApiManager to Apiary Tools?
ApiManager exports records to Excel/CSV, and Apiary Tools imports hives and records from CSV. If your export does not line up cleanly, contact me through the site and I will help you map it.
Does Apiary Tools support multiple people on one apiary?
Yes. Share any apiary with a helper, spouse or mentee with viewer, contributor or co-owner roles. Everyone sees the same hives and inspections.
Does Apiary Tools work offline?
Yes, offline-first. Record inspections and mite counts in a yard with no signal and everything syncs when you get connectivity back.
Apiary Tools is free and runs on donations. Buy me a jar of honey 17