# mini Metal Detector vs Stud Finder

The clearest difference is rating: mini Metal Detector at 4.2 against Stud Finder's 2.5. mini Metal Detector also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ratings volume (131 vs 2). Stud Finder's advantage is update cadence (every 8 days vs every 15 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Stud Finder sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. mini Metal Detector asks for nothing beyond the download.

mini Metal Detector holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 2.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: mini Metal Detector has 131 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

mini Metal Detector ships an update every 15 months, Stud Finder every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on August 17, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | mini Metal Detector | Stud Finder |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.2 (131 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mini-metal-detector/id1114381920/reviews)** | [2.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stud-finder-wall-detector/id6504248155/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **131** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 73.6% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 15 months | **Every 8 days** |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 7 MB | 8 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Mert TUZER](https://appshunter.io/developer/1111162127) | [CHARAFA BOUKHALFA](https://appshunter.io/developer/1561258175) |

## What reviewers say

### mini Metal Detector

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mini-metal-detector/id1114381920)

Turn your smartphone into a functional metal detector. This app uses your device's magnetometer to identify hidden metal objects with clear visual and audio cues. It offers a user-friendly experience with helpful features like dark mode.

**Highlights:** Precise metal detection, Audio feedback, Visual indicators, Easy to use interface, Dark mode support, Battery-friendly design

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ✅ Functional metal detection capability
- 👍 Simple and effective design
- 🎯 Successfully detects metal objects
- 📱 Works as advertised for basic use
- 🔊 Audible alerts for detection

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inconsistent detection accuracy
- ❌ Fails to detect metal in some cases
- 🔊 Annoying beeping tone
- 🎯 Detects magnets instead of all metals
- ❓ Lacks user instructions

**Reported bugs**

- Does not detect metal reliably
- Detects magnets instead of general metals
- False positives on air and pillows
- Inconsistent response to metal objects
- App functionality unclear without instructions

**Requested features**

- Softer or customizable alert sounds
- Clear user instructions/tutorial
- Better documentation on functionality
- Improved metal detection sensitivity settings


### Stud Finder

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stud-finder-wall-detector/id6504248155)

Instantly scan walls to locate metal objects, studs, and wires using your device's magnetic field. Visualize discoveries with a graph view and adjust sensitivity for precise detection. This tool is ideal for home improvement and DIY projects.

**Highlights:** Metal object detection, Stud and wire finding, Magnetic field scanning, Graph view visualization, Adjustable sensitivity settings

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Pro | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| PRO Membership | $4.99 | per month |
| Yearly PRO Membership | $29.99 | per year |
| StuDetect Pro Lifetime | $49.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is mini Metal Detector free?

mini Metal Detector is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Stud Finder free?

Stud Finder is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, mini Metal Detector or Stud Finder?

mini Metal Detector is rated higher. mini Metal Detector averages 4.2 out of 5 from 131 ratings, while Stud Finder averages 2.5 from 2 ratings.

### Do mini Metal Detector or Stud Finder have ads?

Both mini Metal Detector and Stud Finder show ads.

### Which is updated more often, mini Metal Detector or Stud Finder?

mini Metal Detector ships an update every 15 months, and Stud Finder every 8 days. Most recently, mini Metal Detector was updated on August 17, 2026 and Stud Finder on September 22, 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.*