Comparison

phyphox vs Detector.

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

Head to head
About

phyphox

Unlock your phone's sensors for scientific exploration. Conduct pre-built experiments or create your own using accelerometers, magnetometers, and more. Analyze and export data in various formats for further study.

Highlights
  • Pre-defined experiments
  • Data export (CSV, TSV, Excel)
  • Web-based remote control
  • Custom experiment editor
  • Access to phone sensors
  • Advanced analysis functions
Features
Read full description

Did you know that you are carrying a 3D magnetometer? That you can use your phone as a pendulum to measure earth's local gravitational acceleration? That you can turn your phone into a sonar? phyphox gives you access to the sensors of your phone either directly or through ready-to-play experiments which analyze your data and let you export raw data along with the results for further analysis. You can even define your own experiments on phyphox.org and share them with colleagues, students and friends. Selected Features: • A selection of pre-defined experiments. Just press play to start. • Export your data to a range of widely used formats • Remote-control your experiment through a web interface from any PC on the same network as your phone. No need to install anything on those PCs - all you need is a modern web browser. • Define your own experiments by selecting sensor inputs, defining analysis steps and creating views as an interface using our web-editor (http://phyphox.org/editor). The analysis consists of just adding two values or using advanced methods like Fourier transforms and crosscorrelation. We offer a whole toolbox of analysis functions. Sensors supported: • Accelerometer • Magnetometer • Gyroscope • Pressure • Microphone • Proximity • GPS • Camera • LiDAR/ToF *some sensors are not present on every phone. Export formats • CSV (Comma separated values) • TSV (Tab-separated values) • Excel (if you need other formats, please let us know) This app has been developed at the 2nd Institute of Physics A at the RWTH Aachen University.

About

Detector.

This app uses your phone's sensors to scan for hidden signals, wireless activity, and environmental anomalies. It helps inspect spaces for suspicious devices and provides detailed reports for privacy and security analysis. Features include room mapping, risk assessment, and device diagnostics.

Highlights
  • Hidden signal scanning
  • Device analysis
  • Room mapping
  • Risk assessment
  • Detailed reporting
  • Environmental anomaly detection
  • Offline mode
Features
Read full description

Detector – Hidden Signal Scanner & Device Analyzer See what your eyes cannot — using your phone. Detector is a privacy, security, and environmental analysis app that helps inspect hotel rooms, vacation rentals, offices, vehicles, and other spaces for unusual signals, wireless activity, suspicious devices, and environmental anomalies. Using your devices built-in sensors and wireless capabilities, Detector combines scanning tools, room mapping, risk analysis, reporting, and device diagnostics in one app. Full Scan Perform a comprehensive room inspection and create a detailed investigation report. Features include: • Room Mapping & Coverage Tracking • Spatial Findings & Risk Markers • Timeline-Based Event Tracking • Risk Summary Reports • Historical Scan Archive • Sensor-Specific Findings • Suspicious Activity Logging • Photo Evidence Capture • Notes & Investigation Records • PDF Export & Sharing Detection Tools Detector combines multiple technologies into a single workflow: • Infrared / Lens Detection • Ultrasound Analysis • Magnetic Field Detection • Light & Flicker Monitoring • Motion Detection • Pressure Monitoring • Bluetooth (BLE) Scanner • Wi-Fi Scanner • Ultra Wideband (UWB) Analysis • NFC Tag & Device Detection • Cellular Network Analysis • GPS Anomaly Monitoring Reports & Investigation Tools Review current and historical findings with detailed reporting features. • Session Reports • Historical Reports • Timeline View • Risk Classification • Detailed Finding Records • Full Scan Reports • Print, Copy & PDF Export Track scans over time and compare findings across multiple locations and sessions. Device Utilities • Battery Report • Device Health History • Performance Report • Internet Speed Test • Storage Cleaner Privacy-Focused Design • Privacy-First Approach • Local Scan History • Offline Mode Available • No Account Required • Minimal Data Collection Ideal For • Travelers • Hotel Guests • Vacation Rental Users • Journalists • Investigators • Security Professionals • Privacy-Conscious Individuals • Anyone Curious About Hidden Signals and Wireless Activity Additional Features • Support for 77+ Languages • Historical Scan Storage • Photo Documentation • Risk-Based Detection System • Room Coverage Tracking • PDF Export & Sharing • Offline Mode (Subscription) • Ad-Free Experience (Subscription) Detector helps you understand the signals, devices, and environmental activity around you, providing tools for inspection, analysis, documentation, and awareness. Note: Detector uses available device sensors and wireless technologies to analyze environmental conditions, identify compatible nearby devices and tags, and highlight unusual activity patterns. Results should be used as indicators and informational guidance rather than definitive proof of surveillance devices or security threats. LICENSED APPLICATION END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

phyphox4 screens
Detector.4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: phyphox at 79% against Detector.'s 0%. phyphox also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). Detector.'s advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 3 months). On price and device support 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. Detector. sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. phyphox asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

phyphox ships an update every 3 months, Detector. weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
phyphox versus Detector.: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterphyphoxDetector.
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (276 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews78.7% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings276 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB176 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRWTH Aachen UniversityOlga Ivanova

Customer experience

phyphox

All ratings276 ratings
Positive89.5%
Neutral4.0%
Negative6.5%
Written reviews267 reviews
Positive78.7%
Neutral3.4%
Negative18.0%

Detector.

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Bugs and requests

phyphox

Reported bugs

21 issues
  • App crashes on older devices
  • Barometer not working on iOS 17.4
  • Network error: Generic error
  • Sound measurement curve disappears
  • App crashes frequently
Show 16 more
  • Cannot be opened on iPhone 6
  • Light sensor not implemented
  • Recording stops when phone is locked or app is minimized
  • Green lines on screen and faded to black after using barometer sensor
  • WLAN not working after using the app
  • Pressure no longer displayed on iOS 17.5
  • Barometer not working on iOS 17.4
  • Latest version cannot be opened on iPhone 6
  • Sound chronometer reset button not working
  • iPad destroyed after update
  • App displays Russian language by default
  • Experiments not working on iPhone 7
  • Magnetometer not working after update on iPhone 5s
  • GPS shows 0 satellites with 6m accuracy
  • App claims iPhone 11 is comparable to a low-cost tablet
  • App crashes every time

Requested features

33 requests
  • Add infrasound detector
  • More units of measurement (G-force, PSI, feet)
  • NFC/RFID support
  • In-app bug report feature
  • Allow other sensors via USB-C
Show 28 more
  • Ability to plug in external sensors
  • Slo-mo recording with timestamps
  • Add attitude sensor (roll, pitch, yaw)
  • Integration with Apple Shortcuts
  • Ability to record audio/dB simultaneously with other sensors
  • Adjustable sampling frequency for all sensors
  • Dark mode option
  • Experiment editor integrated into the app
  • More documentation for the editor
  • Ability to form averages
  • Support for older iPhones (iPhone 6)
  • Add GPS satellite count display
  • Add speedometer functionality
  • Add Lux measurement using light sensor/camera
  • Ability to play recorded audio
  • Limit input for sound analyzers (dB/Hz range)
  • Wi-Fi and RF module access for EMF analysis
  • iWatch integration
  • Improve audio generator capability
  • Allow background/screen locked recording
  • Add light sensor functionality
  • Change units of measurement
  • Add more precise measurements for static cases
  • Add FFT and spectral generation for accelerometer
  • Support for older devices
  • Improve UI/UX for new users
  • Add support for more languages
  • Add a donate option

Detector.

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

phyphox

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Detector.

Subscriptions1
  • detector_by_oliva_subscription$1.991 Month
One-time1
  • detector_by_oliva_donation$1.99

Questions

Is phyphox free?
phyphox is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Detector. free?
Detector. is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do phyphox or Detector. have ads?
Detector. shows ads; phyphox does not.
Which is updated more often, phyphox or Detector.?
phyphox ships an update every 3 months, and Detector. weekly. Most recently, phyphox was updated on October 7, 2026 and Detector. on September 15, 2026.

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