Comparison

MD Companion vs Detector Maps

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

Head to head
About

MD Companion

This app assists metal detector enthusiasts by providing a digital log for their finds. Users can record details about each discovery, including location and notes, to track their hobby effectively.

Highlights
  • Log metal detector finds
  • Record location of finds
  • Add notes to discoveries
  • Track hobby progress
  • Digital logbook
Features
Read full description

Useful app for metal detector hobbists Disclaimer: Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.

About

Detector Maps

This app provides advanced geological data and GPS tools for gold prospecting in Australia, the US, and New Zealand. It offers offline map access, breadcrumb tracking, and waypoint marking to help users explore efficiently and locate potential gold-bearing areas.

Highlights
  • Advanced geological and gold-focused data
  • Offline map and data layer downloads
  • Breadcrumb trail tracking (background GPS)
  • Waypoint marking with field notes
  • Real-time GPS navigation
  • Historic gold mines and workings layers
Features
Read full description

Detector Maps is the field tool that keeps you on the gold - and on the relics. Built by geologists for prospectors, relic hunters and metal detectorists across the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, it pairs geological data and historical maps with rock-solid GPS so you spend your time on high-potential ground, not guessing. Whether you are swinging a detector for gold nuggets, coin shooting an old homestead, hunting Civil War relics or panning a creek, it puts serious research intelligence in your pocket - and it works offline, where the finds actually are. COIN & RELIC HUNTING - NATIONWIDE Research old towns, ghost towns, homesteads, schoolhouses and long-forgotten gathering places - the ground where old coins, buttons, buckles and relics are still waiting. - Historical map overlays: hunt the buildings, roads and fields the modern map forgot - Historic USGS Topo maps, coast to coast - LiDAR that reveals cellar holes, old roads and house sites hiding under the trees - Plan permissions with confidence before you knock GOLD PROSPECTING - 15 STATES Serious geology for nugget hunting, from California to the Carolinas. Detect where gold has already been found, then find what the old-timers missed. - Historic gold mines, diggings and workings - proven gold ground - Surface geochemistry with pathfinder-element filtering - Current and expired mining claims, updated every weekday - 1-metre LiDAR hillshade that reveals old workings worth a closer swing DETECTOR ACADEMY A built-in crash course: 34 short video lessons, most under a minute - layers, LiDAR, waypoints, trails, offline maps and Pro tools. DETECTOR GRIDS Plan complete, methodical coverage of a site with adjustable search lanes you follow while recording your trail - never grid the same ground twice. BREADCRUMB TRAIL TRACKING (BACKGROUND GPS) Record your exact trail even with the app in the background or the screen off. See where you have walked and save paths for the next trip. WHY WE REQUEST "ALLOW ALL THE TIME" LOCATION ACCESS Detector Maps only uses background location when you switch breadcrumb tracking ON, keeping an unbroken log while your phone is idle. Disable it anytime in the app or device settings. WAYPOINT MARKING AND FIND LOGGING Drop waypoints on coins, relics, gold finds and old workings. Add names, notes and photos, then sync securely between your phone and the web app so your finds are never lost. REAL-TIME GPS NAVIGATION Watch boundaries, geology, historical maps and terrain update around you as you move - a GPS built for prospecting, coin shooting and relic hunting. COVERAGE USA COIN & RELIC: Nationwide USA GOLD: CA, AL, NC, AZ, NV, ID, OR, UT, CO, MT, WA, SC, VA, GA, NM AUSTRALIA: QLD, NSW, VIC, WA, SA, TAS, NT NEW ZEALAND: historic goldfields, geology and offline maps CANADA: British Columbia SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION All plans include every map, standard data layers, offline downloads, and access to Australia, USA, New Zealand, Canada (BC) and the UK. USA Pricing - Explorer Monthly: $7.99 USD; Explorer Yearly: $59.99; Pro Monthly: $11.99 USD; Pro Yearly: $99.99 USD. Payment is charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel anytime in your App Store account settings. Pricing may vary by region. PRIVACY AND DATA Your location, trails and waypoints are used only for core app functionality. Delete your account anytime: Profile > Delete Account > type "confirm" > tap Delete. Privacy Policy: https://app.detectormaps.com/privacy-policy Terms of Use (EULA): https://app.detectormaps.com/license-agreement Whether you swing a GPX 6000, an Equinox, a Manticore, a Deus or a Gold Monster - or a sluice or a pan - Detector Maps helps you cover more ground, log your best finds, and read productive terrain like a professional.

Screenshots

MD Companion3 screens
Detector Maps4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: MD Companion at none against Detector Maps's 4. MD Companion also leads on ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (100% vs 73%). Detector Maps's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs every 3 months) and rating (4.6 vs 4.3). 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 Maps sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. MD Companion asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Detector Maps holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Detector Maps has 265 ratings behind it against 12, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 100% of MD Companion's written reviews are positive against 73% of Detector Maps's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MD Companion ships an update every 3 months, Detector Maps every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 2 level
MD Companion versus Detector Maps: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMD CompanionDetector Maps
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (12 ratings)4.6 (265 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better73.0% of reviews
Number of ratings12265 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 6 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterSubscription
Best chart rank—#61 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB115 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLeo MesentsevGOLD DISCOVERY SOLUTIONS PTY LTD

Customer experience

MD Companion

All ratings14 ratings
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Detector Maps

All ratings254 ratings
Positive92.9%
Neutral1.6%
Negative5.5%
Written reviews74 reviews
Positive73.0%
Neutral2.7%
Negative24.3%

Bugs and requests

MD Companion

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Detector Maps

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Issues with subscription and login
  • LiDAR not working in certain areas

Requested features

2 requests
  • Expand coverage to more areas
  • Improve data accuracy and consistency

In-app purchases

None

MD Companion

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

Detector Maps

Subscriptions4
  • Monthly Explorer Plan$7.991 Month
  • Monthly Plan$11.991 Month
  • Yearly Explorer Plan7 Days trial$59.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Yearly Plan7 Days trial$99.991 Year

Questions

Is MD Companion free?
MD Companion is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Detector Maps free?
Detector Maps is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, MD Companion or Detector Maps?
Detector Maps is rated higher. MD Companion averages 4.3 out of 5 from 12 ratings, while Detector Maps averages 4.6 from 265 ratings.
Do MD Companion or Detector Maps have ads?
Detector Maps shows ads; MD Companion does not.
Which is updated more often, MD Companion or Detector Maps?
MD Companion ships an update every 3 months, and Detector Maps every 6 days. Most recently, MD Companion was updated on October 22, 2026 and Detector Maps on October 30, 2026.

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