# ioLight Microscope vs Stone Identifier

The clearest difference is rating: Stone Identifier at 4.3 against ioLight Microscope's 2.5. Stone Identifier also leads on ratings volume (1.1K vs 19) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 11 months). ioLight Microscope's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and ads (none vs shown). On price, review sentiment and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Stone Identifier sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. ioLight Microscope asks for nothing beyond the download.

Stone Identifier holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 2.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Stone Identifier has 1.1K ratings behind it against 19, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 20% of ioLight Microscope's written reviews are positive against 24% of Stone Identifier's.

ioLight Microscope ships an update every 11 months, Stone Identifier every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ioLight Microscope | Stone Identifier |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.5 (19 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iolight-microscope/id1105416031/reviews) | **[4.3 (1.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stone-identifier/id6443684085/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 19 | **1.1K** |
| Positive reviews | 20.0% of reviews | **23.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 11 months | **Every 3 months** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 48 MB | 64 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ioLight Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1105416030) | [Apps Labs](https://appshunter.io/developer/1648354195) |

## What reviewers say

### ioLight Microscope

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iolight-microscope/id1105416031)

Capture stunning images and videos of microscopic subjects with a high-resolution portable digital microscope. This app connects to the device, displaying detailed views of cells and other specimens directly on your mobile screen.

**Highlights:** Displays microscopic images and videos, Captures high-resolution images, Connects to portable digital microscope, Shows animal and plant cells, Displays on tablet or mobile phone

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Stone Identifier

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stone-identifier/id6443684085)

Instantly identify rocks, stones, gems, and crystals by taking a photo or uploading an image. Get accurate results in seconds with a rich database and user-friendly interface. Perfect for both geologists and enthusiasts.

**Highlights:** Identify Rocks, Gems, and Crystals, Accurate identification results, Fast and convenient tool, Extensive learning database, User-friendly interface, Record geological findings

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Rock Identifier | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Rock ID | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Rock Identifier | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Rock ID | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Sale annual subscription | $9.99 | per year |
| Rock Identifier | $9.99 | per month |
| Stone ID | $14.99 | per month |
| Stone Identifier | $19.99 | per year |
| Rock ID | $19.99 | per year |
| Stone Identifier | $39.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- ⭐ Accurate rock identification
- 🔍 Comprehensive mineral classification
- 👍 User-friendly interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🤔 Inconsistent or inaccurate results
- 💰 Paywall for full functionality
- 🚫 Limited free scans
- 📚 Inability to identify rare/mixed gems

**Reported bugs**

- Misidentifies known mineral samples
- Provides incorrect or confusing results

**Requested features**

- Expand free scan limit
- Improve accuracy and precision
- Add history/save feature
- Enhance identification for rare/mixed gems


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ioLight Microscope free?

ioLight Microscope is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Stone Identifier free?

Stone Identifier is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, ioLight Microscope or Stone Identifier?

Stone Identifier is rated higher. ioLight Microscope averages 2.5 out of 5 from 19 ratings, while Stone Identifier averages 4.3 from 1.1K ratings.

### Do ioLight Microscope or Stone Identifier have ads?

Stone Identifier shows ads; ioLight Microscope does not.

### Which is updated more often, ioLight Microscope or Stone Identifier?

ioLight Microscope ships an update every 11 months, and Stone Identifier every 3 months. Most recently, ioLight Microscope was updated on September 23, 2026 and Stone Identifier on September 28, 2026.

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