VolleyRef vs VolleyWrite.
Both are built for official volleyball scorekeeping. They diverge sharply on platform, price, and who can actually use them. Here's what you need to know before choosing.
TL;DR
VolleyWrite is a mature officiating tool used at NCAA championships, but it only runs on iPad and Windows, costs $129.99/year, and has no spectator sharing. VolleyRef.App runs on any device, costs $50/year (or $5/week), adds FIVB rules and full undo, and lets spectators follow the score live. Choose VolleyWrite if your institution requires it. Choose VolleyRef for everything else.
Side by Side.
| Feature | VolleyRef.App | VolleyWrite |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Any device -- web, iOS, Android, Windows, Mac | iPad and Windows only |
| Annual price | $50/year | $129.99/year (iPad) |
| Tournament/weekly option | $5/week | None |
| Free trial | 3 matches free | None documented |
| FIVB rules | Yes | No |
| USAV rules | Yes | Yes |
| NFHS rules | Yes | Yes |
| NCAA rules | Yes | Yes |
| Libero enforcement | Full | Full |
| Substitution enforcement | Yes | Yes |
| Full undo/redo | Yes -- every action | Not documented |
| Live scoreboard for spectators | Yes -- any-device link | iPad Buddy app only (same WiFi) |
| Offline support | Yes | Not documented |
| PDF scoresheet export | Yes | Yes |
| History locked if you stop paying | No | Yes |
| Predictive sub prompts | No | Yes |
Try VolleyRef Free
3 matches free. Any device. No credit card.
Category by Category.
Platform
VolleyRef.App
Runs in any browser. Open app.volleyref.app on an Android, an iPhone, a Windows laptop, a Chromebook, a Mac -- it works. No app store install required. If a tournament provides a device you've never used before, VolleyRef opens in 5 seconds.
VolleyWrite
iPad (iOS) and Windows desktop only. No Android, no iPhone, no Mac, no web. If you're not on Apple tablet or Windows PC, VolleyWrite is not an option for you -- full stop.
Bottom line: If there's any chance you'll need to score on a non-iPad device, VolleyRef is the only option. If your workflow is exclusively iPad-based, both work.
Pricing
VolleyRef.App
First 3 matches free, no card required. Then: $5/week (tournament weekend), $15/month, or $50/year. Your match history stays accessible even if you pause your subscription.
VolleyWrite
$129.99/year for iPad as of July 2024 (up from ~$89.99 previously). Windows is $109.99/year. No weekly option. Historical match data is inaccessible if you don't renew -- a consistent complaint from long-term users.
Bottom line: VolleyRef is $50/year vs VolleyWrite's $129.99 -- 61% less. For tournament-only refs, VolleyRef's $5/week option has no VolleyWrite equivalent.
Rule Enforcement
VolleyRef.App
Enforces FIVB, USAV, NFHS, and NCAA rules automatically. Illegal substitutions blocked. Substitution limits enforced. Libero restrictions tracked per ruleset. Timeout limits enforced. FIVB is the additional ruleset VolleyWrite doesn't cover.
VolleyWrite
Enforces USAV, NFHS, and NCAA rules. Has predictive substitution prompts that auto-suggest the next sub based on roster history -- useful for volunteer scorekeepers who don't know the teams. Does not cover FIVB.
Bottom line: Both cover the main US rulesets well. VolleyRef adds FIVB. VolleyWrite adds predictive sub suggestions. If you ref FIVB events, VolleyRef is the only option. If you work predominantly with volunteers at the scorer's table, VolleyWrite's prompts may reduce errors.
Spectator Scoreboard
VolleyRef.App
One tap generates a shareable URL. Open it on any device -- Android, iPhone, laptop, smart TV. Parents in the stands, coaches, remote viewers, anyone can follow the live score. No app install, no WiFi restriction.
VolleyWrite
Has an iOS Buddy app that can display the score on a second iPad -- but only on the same WiFi network as the scoring device. No web share link, no Android support, requires a second Apple device.
Bottom line: VolleyRef's spectator sharing works anywhere, on any device, with no hardware requirement. VolleyWrite's Buddy app is WiFi-only and Apple-only.
Who Each App Is Built For.
Use VolleyRef if you...
- Don't own or want to be tied to an iPad
- Ref on Android, iPhone, or any other device
- Ref FIVB-rule events (club, international)
- Want to share a live score with spectators
- Want full undo for every action
- Want to pay $50/year or $5 for a single tournament
- Don't want to lose access to past matches if you stop paying
Use VolleyWrite if you...
- Are required to use it by your institution or conference
- Work exclusively with volunteer scorekeepers who need sub prompts
- Are on iPad and the $129.99 price is acceptable
- Need the official NCAA championship track record
- Only referee USAV/NFHS/NCAA events, never FIVB
Common Questions.
Yes. VolleyRef.App runs in any browser on any device including Android phones and tablets. VolleyWrite supports iPad and Windows only -- no Android, no iPhone.
VolleyRef costs $50/year or $5/week. VolleyWrite iPad annual is $129.99/year as of July 2024 -- more than double. VolleyRef also lets you pay per-tournament ($5/week), which VolleyWrite does not offer.
Yes. VolleyRef enforces FIVB, USAV, NFHS, and NCAA rules. VolleyWrite only covers NCAA, NFHS, and USAV -- no FIVB support.
Both enforce NFHS rules well. VolleyRef works on any device your school provides (Android included), costs less, and adds live scoreboard sharing for parents. VolleyWrite has a deeper NCAA track record and predictive sub prompts, but runs only on iPad or Windows.
VolleyWrite has a Buddy app for iOS that shows the score on a second iPad on the same WiFi network. VolleyRef generates a shareable web link that any device can open regardless of platform or network.
Related Comparisons.
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VolleyRef vs iScore
VolleyRef vs iScore Volleyball for referees who also want player stats.
See the Difference for Yourself
3 matches free on any device. No credit card, no install.
FIVB / USAV / NFHS / NCAA. Full undo. Live scoreboard sharing.