Comparison

Rockd vs NAHPU

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

Head to head
About

Rockd

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
Read full description

Explore, learn about, and document your geologic surroundings! Whether you are a professional geoscientist or curious about the rocks around you and the stories they tell, Rockd allows you to explore and learn about the geologic record, contribute your own observations, and log your journey through the geologic record. Features: - Instant access to geologic and geographic summaries of your current location via a Dashboard - Interactive global access to more than 290 geologic maps, with more being added weekly - Explore the landscape with a dynamic, 3D virtual globe - Save maps for use in the field with a built-in map caching system - See your past location and explore paleogeographic maps from C.R. Scotese and GPlates - View Macrostrat stratigraphic columns where available (beta) - Explore published literature containing mentions of mapped geologic units (when available) via xDD (formerly, GeoDeepDive) - Elevation data for most points on Earth from digital elevation models (DEMs) - Add your own field observations even offline; tag features from Macrostrat and the Paleobiology Database - Record strike/dip or trend/plunge for geologic features, using your phone's compass - Track your progress through the geologic record privately, or share it with others - See the public activity of other users and share your own and other public checkins using unique URLs Rockd is produced by the Macrostrat lab in the Department of Geoscience at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Support provided by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Dept. of Geoscience. Experiencing issues? Send an email to contact@rockd.org and we will do our best to help you resolve it.

About

NAHPU

Features
Read full description

NAHPU is a free, open-source digital field catalog for natural history research. It helps field researchers, museum staff, students, and collection teams keep specimens, sites, collection events, tissues, media, and notes connected within a single project. Built for real field conditions, NAHPU’s core cataloging workflow works offline and requires no account. Your records remain on your device unless you choose to export, back up, or share them. What you can do - Organize projects, team members, and taxon registries - Catalog mammals, birds, herpetofauna, and arthropods with group-specific fields - Record sites, coordinates, habitats, collecting events, effort, and environmental context - Track specimens, preparations, parts, tissue samples, measurements, and associated data - Capture and organize photos, audio, video, and field notes - Exchange selected records and settings with QR codes - Review collection statistics during fieldwork - Export records as CSV, TSV, Excel, or JSON - Create Darwin Core Archives, Darwin Core Data Packages, and NAHPU Data Packages - Transfer projects, create restorable backups, and design PDF labels and documents From field capture to curation NAHPU keeps related records together and reduces repeated entry across field and museum workflows. Its open-standard exports, including Darwin Core, help teams move structured records into analysis, collection-management, and biodiversity publishing systems. Private by design NAHPU does not require an account. Core data is stored on your device, and you decide when to export or share it. Some optional map views require an internet connection. Responsible use NAHPU is a cataloging tool. You are responsible for following applicable permits, institutional protocols, ethical standards, and local laws when collecting or handling specimens. Note that the records shown in app screenshots are for illustrative purposes only and do not reflect real field data.

Screenshots

Rockd4 screens
NAHPU4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: NAHPU at fortnightly against Rockd's every 3 months. NAHPU also leads on device support (4 vs 2). On price, ads, in-app purchases and iOS requirement 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Rockd ships an update every 3 months, NAHPU fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Rockd versus NAHPU: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRockdNAHPU
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (187 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews73.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings187 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS16.615.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size259 MB122 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison Shared AppsHeru Handika

Bugs and requests

Rockd

Reported bugs

17 issues
  • 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
Show 12 more
  • Fossils button not working
  • Map returns to user location after viewing check-ins
  • App crashes and becomes unresponsive
  • Data loss after app reinstall or logout
  • Maps fail to load after recent updates
  • Location search functionality broken
  • Android version windows not visible
  • Straight lines appear when zooming
  • Formations stop at state lines
  • Check-in screen stuck with no exit option
  • App won't load after initial use
  • Geological overlay won't upload to base map

Requested features

16 requests
  • 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
Show 11 more
  • Map legend/key for geological features
  • Spanish language support
  • Ability to move dashboard to different locations
  • Latitude/longitude search functionality
  • Multiple photo attachments per location
  • Strike and dip data visualization
  • Fault line labeling on maps
  • Better Android version compatibility
  • Tutorial or short course for advanced features
  • Black contact lines between formations toggle
  • Personal photo upload focus with mineral variations

NAHPU

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Rockd

No in-app purchases

None

NAHPU

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Rockd free?
Rockd is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is NAHPU free?
NAHPU is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Rockd or NAHPU have ads?
Neither Rockd nor NAHPU shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Rockd or NAHPU?
Rockd ships an update every 3 months, and NAHPU fortnightly. Most recently, Rockd was updated on October 21, 2026 and NAHPU on October 24, 2026.

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