# Rockd vs Phylogenetic Tree View

The clearest difference is ads: Rockd at none against Phylogenetic Tree View's shown. Rockd also leads on update cadence (every 3 months vs every 11 months). Phylogenetic Tree View's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.6). On price, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Rockd ships an update every 3 months, Phylogenetic Tree View every 11 months. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Rockd | Phylogenetic Tree View |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (185 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rockd/id1153056624/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **185** | — |
| Positive reviews | 73.6% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 months** | Every 11 months |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 259 MB | 28 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [University of Wisconsin-Madison Shared Apps](https://appshunter.io/developer/908478605) | [Sigmar Stefansson](https://appshunter.io/developer/1650379171) |

## 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


### Phylogenetic Tree View

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phylogenetic-tree-view/id6444221294)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Rockd free?

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

### Is Phylogenetic Tree View free?

Phylogenetic Tree View is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Rockd or Phylogenetic Tree View have ads?

Phylogenetic Tree View shows ads; Rockd does not.

### Which is updated more often, Rockd or Phylogenetic Tree View?

Rockd ships an update every 3 months, and Phylogenetic Tree View every 11 months. Most recently, Rockd was updated on October 13, 2026 and Phylogenetic Tree View on September 27, 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.*