# Rockd vs Nomad Geologist

The clearest difference is rating: Nomad Geologist at 5.0 against Rockd's 4.4. Nomad Geologist also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.6). Rockd's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ratings volume (187 vs 6). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Nomad Geologist sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Rockd asks for nothing beyond the download.

Nomad Geologist holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Rockd has 187 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Rockd ships an update every 3 months, Nomad Geologist fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Rockd | Nomad Geologist |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (187 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rockd/id1153056624/reviews) | **[5.0 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nomad-geologist/id1462577133/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **187** | 6 |
| Positive reviews | 73.6% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 259 MB | 59 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [University of Wisconsin-Madison Shared Apps](https://appshunter.io/developer/908478605) | [Mohammed Tajer](https://appshunter.io/developer/1462577132) |

## What reviewers say

### Rockd

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rockd/id1153056624)

Discover and document the geology around you. Access global geologic maps, 3D globes, and detailed summaries of your surroundings. Contribute your own observations and track your exploration of Earth's geologic history.

**Highlights:** Interactive global geologic maps, 3D virtual globe exploration, Field observation logging, Offline map caching, Paleogeographic map access, Stratigraphic column viewing, Geologic literature integration

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🗺️ Comprehensive geological maps with detailed information
- 💡 Innovative integration of peer-reviewed references and literature
- 🧭 Built-in Brunton compass and clinometer tools
- 📱 User-friendly interface and intuitive navigation
- 🌍 Global coverage with paleomaps and stratigraphic data

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Black map display issues in offline and online modes
- 📍 GPS tracking and real-time position updates failing
- 🔌 Offline functionality severely limited or broken
- 🔐 Persistent login requirement without password saving
- ⚠️ Error dialogs that won't dismiss

**Reported bugs**

- Black map display in airplane mode and online
- Persistent error dialogs that cannot be dismissed
- GPS not tracking in real-time
- Offline check-ins not syncing properly
- Sign-up page jumps between fields and login page

**Requested features**

- Follow/friend mechanic to track other users' check-ins
- Rock identification tool from photo uploads
- Offline map download with customizable zoom levels
- Stereonet tool for structural geology
- Groundwater/aquifer information section


### Nomad Geologist

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nomad-geologist/id1462577133)

Explore geology with this comprehensive dictionary app. It offers a vast collection of terms, concepts, and phenomena with visuals and expert references. An AI assistant provides instant answers, and advanced AI vision features are available via subscription for analyzing geological samples.

**Highlights:** Geology term dictionary, Visual aids and expert references, AI-powered assistant, AI vision for sample analysis, Connect with specialists

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| AI Features Access (1 month) | $7.99 | per month |
| AI Features Access (2 month) | $14.99 | per 2 months |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Rockd free?

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

### Is Nomad Geologist free?

Nomad Geologist is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Rockd or Nomad Geologist?

Nomad Geologist is rated higher. Rockd averages 4.4 out of 5 from 187 ratings, while Nomad Geologist averages 5.0 from 6 ratings.

### Do Rockd or Nomad Geologist have ads?

Neither Rockd nor Nomad Geologist shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Rockd or Nomad Geologist?

Rockd ships an update every 3 months, and Nomad Geologist fortnightly. Most recently, Rockd was updated on November 6, 2026 and Nomad Geologist on November 3, 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.*