Comparison

Physics Toolbox Magnetometer vs SpectralViewer, spectraView

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

Head to head
About

Physics Toolbox Magnetometer

This app transforms your iPhone into a precise scientific instrument for measuring, visualizing, and recording magnetic fields. Explore magnetic field vectors, magnitudes, and compass headings with real-time charts and digital readouts. Ideal for educational experiments, lab work, or curious exploration.

Highlights
  • Real-time magnetic field vector and magnitude display
  • Chart, digital, and compass viewing modes
  • Data recording and CSV export
  • Adjustable sample rate (1-100 Hz)
  • Signal filters for noise reduction
  • Detection of permanent and electromagnetic fields
Features
Read full description

Measure, visualize, and record magnetic fields with precision — right from your iPhone. Physics Toolbox Magnetometer displays the magnetic field vector in x, y, and z dimensions along with total magnitude in microteslas (µT) or gauss, giving you the data you need for serious lab work or casual exploration. Three ways to view your data: - Chart — real-time graph with toggleable axes, adjustable line width, and fullscreen mode - Digital — large numeric readout for quick at-a-glance measurements - Compass — live heading with True North and Magnetic North display Built for the lab and the field: - Record and export data as CSV for analysis in other software - Adjustable sample rate from 1 to 100 Hz - Signal filters to reduce noise - Detects permanent magnets, electromagnetic fields, and background geomagnetic field Classroom-ready experiments: The magnetometer is well-suited for determining the inverse-square law for a point-source magnet, measuring the magnetic field produced by a solenoid, or capturing the periodic field variations of audio speakers and magnetic plate stirrers. Whether you are a physics student, teacher, engineer, or curious mind, Physics Toolbox Magnetometer turns your device into a capable scientific instrument.

About

SpectralViewer, spectraView

Utilize your device's camera to capture and analyze spectrum images from a spectrometer. Measure spectral intensity, plot light distribution, and calibrate wavelength scales. Save your spectral data as images.

Highlights
  • Measure spectral intensity with device camera
  • Analyze spectrum images
  • Plot light intensity distribution
  • Calibrate wavelength scales
  • Save spectral plots as images
  • Adjust plot scale
Features
Read full description

By using iPhone or iPad camera, you can measure a spectral intensity of the light by a spectrum image from a spectrometer. Press camera > photo button to shoot a spectrum image dispersed by the spectrometer. If reflected light is observed, please be the in the area of ​​the dark rectangle on the upper side of the camera screen. For iPadOS 13, open the Control Center and then tap the "Lock Orientation" button to avoid rotating the spectrum capture area. Press the graph button to show the light intensity distribution of the spectrum calculated by the camera image. The values ​​of R, G and B are respectively calculated as the average value of the central quarter width of the spectral image. Adjust the intensity of the input light by, for example, narrowing the slit so that each color does not exceed the maximum value 255. The value of R+G+B is also plotted in black. You can change the plot scale of spectral intensity by <> button. By pressing the plot button, sliding the upper spectral image to the left and right, and entering two points with known wavelengths, you can plot the wavelength scale. If the R0 wavelength is set as reflected light (0 nm) and the R1 wavelength is set only for the first time, the wavelength scale is plotted only by setting the R0 wavelength after the second time. You can save the plot with wavelength scale as image. For the data to be stored, a filter was applied so as to smoothly connect the intensity curves of the sensitivity wavelength regions of R, G and B colors. Because it is very dangerous, please never see strong light such as the sun, and please do not put it in the iPhone's camera.

Screenshots

Physics Toolbox Magnetometer4 screens
SpectralViewer, spectraView4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Physics Toolbox Magnetometer at 5.0 against SpectralViewer, spectraView's 3.8. Physics Toolbox Magnetometer also leads on review sentiment (80% vs 67%). SpectralViewer, spectraView's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 13 months). On price, ratings volume, ads and monetization model 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. Physics Toolbox Magnetometer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. SpectralViewer, spectraView asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Physics Toolbox Magnetometer holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 4 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of Physics Toolbox Magnetometer's written reviews are positive against 67% of SpectralViewer, spectraView's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Physics Toolbox Magnetometer ships an update every 13 months, SpectralViewer, spectraView every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Physics Toolbox Magnetometer versus SpectralViewer, spectraView: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPhysics Toolbox MagnetometerSpectralViewer, spectraView
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (7 ratings) — better3.8 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews — better66.7% of reviews
Number of ratings7 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 13 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.19.2 — better
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB13 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChrystian VieyraJunichi Watanabe

Customer experience

Physics Toolbox Magnetometer

All ratings7 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative0.0%

SpectralViewer, spectraView

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral16.7%
Negative16.7%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Physics Toolbox Magnetometer

One-time1
  • Pro Upgrade$2.99
None

SpectralViewer, spectraView

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Physics Toolbox Magnetometer free?
Physics Toolbox Magnetometer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SpectralViewer, spectraView free?
SpectralViewer, spectraView is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Physics Toolbox Magnetometer or SpectralViewer, spectraView?
Physics Toolbox Magnetometer is rated higher. Physics Toolbox Magnetometer averages 5.0 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while SpectralViewer, spectraView averages 3.8 from 4 ratings.
Do Physics Toolbox Magnetometer or SpectralViewer, spectraView have ads?
Neither Physics Toolbox Magnetometer nor SpectralViewer, spectraView shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Physics Toolbox Magnetometer or SpectralViewer, spectraView?
Physics Toolbox Magnetometer ships an update every 13 months, and SpectralViewer, spectraView every 3 weeks. Most recently, Physics Toolbox Magnetometer was updated on October 9, 2026 and SpectralViewer, spectraView on October 12, 2026.

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