Comparison

Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite vs EMF & Magnetic Detector

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

Head to head
About

Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite

This app turns your smartphone into a scientific instrument suite, enabling measurement, recording, analysis, and export of real-time sensor data. It offers tools for kinematics, acoustics, light, magnetism, and more, suitable for students, educators, researchers, and hobbyists.

Highlights
  • Real-time sensor data measurement
  • Data recording and analysis
  • Data export functionality
  • Kinematics tools (accelerometer, gyroscope)
  • Acoustics tools (sound meter, oscilloscope)
  • Magnetism tools (compass, magnetometer)
  • AR visualization for magnetic fields and measurements
Features
Read full description

Whether you’re a student, educator, researcher, or hobbyist, Physics Toolbox transforms your smartphone’s built-in sensors into a powerful suite of scientific instruments. Easily measure, record, analyze, and export real-time data for a variety of uses—from classroom experiments to cutting-edge research. KINEMATICS G-Force Meter Linear Accelerometer Gyroscope Inclinometer Motion Visualizer (LiDAR-tracked position and velocity) ACOUSTICS Sound Meter Tone Detector Tone Generator Oscilloscope Spectrum Analyzer Spectrogram LIGHT Light Meter Color Detector Proximeter Stroboscope MAGNETISM Compass Magnetometer Magna-AR (AR visualization of magnetic field vectors) OTHER Barometer GPS - latitude, longitude, altitude, speed, direction, number of satellites Ruler-AR (AR-estimated measurements) COMBINATION Multi Record Roller Coaster GAME Play (data-verified challenges)

About

EMF & Magnetic Detector

This app uses your device's magnetometer to detect magnetic and electromagnetic fields. It helps locate metal objects, hidden wires, pipes, and even wood studs behind walls. Get real-time readings and alerts to explore your surroundings.

Highlights
  • Detects magnetic and EMF fields
  • Locates metal objects, wires, and pipes
  • Finds hidden wood studs behind walls
  • Real-time magnetic field intensity readings (μT & mG)
  • Active detection beep alerts
  • Automatic storage of time and measurements
Features
Read full description

Detect magnetic and EMF (electromagnetic) fields with your device. Find metal objects, locate nearby magnetic sources, and explore your surroundings. This app uses the magnetometer to measure the magnetic field when your device is placed near ferromagnetic metal objects like wires, pipes, coins, speakers, phones, metal screws, keys, computers, stereos, and much more! The Magnetic Detector is an application engineered to quantify the intensity of the magnetic field in close proximity, serving as an indicator of the presence of ferromagnetic materials. This tool capitalizes on the magnetic sensor integrated into mobile devices, delivering readings in units of μT (microteslas). Under standard environmental conditions, the Earth's magnetic field fluctuates around 49μT, equivalent to 490mG (milli gauss), with a conversion ratio of 1μT to 10mG. The proximity of metallic objects will induce a disturbance in the magnetic field, reflecting an increase in intensity readings. The Magnetic Detector is an effective tool for the identification and localization of metallic objects within a specified area, leveraging the intrinsic property of metals to generate detectable magnetic fields whose magnitude can be precisely measured with this instrument. Also you can discover magnetic fields and wood studs hidden under walls or plasterboard. As you move the device along the wall, the needle moves and when the limit is reached, it can be heard a warning beep. The features are: - Active detection beep when the above limit is reached. - The time and measure read is stored automatically. - A gauge indicating the magnitude of the magnetic field in uT and milliGauss. It could be used for construction workers & handymen: - to find where in the walls are hidden wires Students: - for educational purposes like school projects and experiments Tip: Shake for calibration Scientists, Teachers, Students, and Engineers, all use detector Meters for detecting magnetic fields of all types. Please note that Metal Detector is not a replacement for professional metal detector devices and it should be used for private/entertainment purposes only. If you have any issues to report or suggestions to make, please email the device you’re using and iOS version. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite4 screens
EMF & Magnetic Detector4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite at none against EMF & Magnetic Detector's shown. Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (1.8K vs 439). EMF & Magnetic Detector's advantage is review sentiment (90% vs 80%) and device support (4 vs 2). On price, rating, in-app purchases 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 Sensor Suite sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and EMF & Magnetic Detector sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite against 4.6 for EMF & Magnetic Detector. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.8K and 439 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 80% of Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite's written reviews are positive against 90% of EMF & Magnetic Detector's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite ships an update weekly, EMF & Magnetic Detector every 2 months. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite versus EMF & Magnetic Detector: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPhysics Toolbox Sensor SuiteEMF & Magnetic Detector
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (1.8K ratings) — better4.6 (439 ratings)
Positive reviews80.5% of reviews90.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.8K — better439
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS16.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size77 MB29 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChrystian VieyraJose Bello

Customer experience

Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite

All ratings1,786 ratings
Positive93.8%
Neutral2.9%
Negative3.3%
Written reviews123 reviews
Positive80.5%
Neutral8.1%
Negative11.4%

EMF & Magnetic Detector

All ratings439 ratings
Positive91.6%
Neutral2.5%
Negative5.9%
Written reviews350 reviews
Positive90.3%
Neutral3.7%
Negative6.0%

Bugs and requests

Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

EMF & Magnetic Detector

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Readings sometimes inconsistent or stop at certain thresholds
  • Compatibility issues with some devices

Requested features

3 requests
  • Add support for measuring electric fields
  • Improve accuracy and sensitivity
  • Provide more detailed readings and analysis

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite

One-time1
  • Upgrade to Pro$5.99
4 purchases

EMF & Magnetic Detector

Subscriptions1
  • Weekly Full Access$4.997 Days
One-time3
  • Remove Ads - Magnetic Detector$2.99
  • Unlock all - Premium & Warning Beep$4.99
  • Lifetime Full Access$12.99

Questions

Is Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite free?
Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is EMF & Magnetic Detector free?
EMF & Magnetic Detector is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite or EMF & Magnetic Detector?
Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite is rated higher. Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.8K ratings, while EMF & Magnetic Detector averages 4.6 from 439 ratings.
Do Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite or EMF & Magnetic Detector have ads?
EMF & Magnetic Detector shows ads; Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite does not.
Which is updated more often, Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite or EMF & Magnetic Detector?
Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite ships an update weekly, and EMF & Magnetic Detector every 2 months. Most recently, Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite was updated on September 24, 2026 and EMF & Magnetic Detector on September 24, 2026.

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