# Rockd vs BadgerSAFE

The clearest difference is rating: Rockd at 4.4 against BadgerSAFE's 3.6. Rockd also leads on update cadence (every 3 months vs every 14 months) and ratings volume (185 vs 14). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

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

Rockd holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Rockd has 185 ratings behind it against 14, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Rockd ships an update every 3 months, BadgerSAFE every 14 months. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Rockd | BadgerSAFE |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (185 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rockd/id1153056624/reviews)** | [3.6 (14 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/badgersafe/id6449374485/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **185** | 14 |
| Positive reviews | 73.6% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 months** | Every 14 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 259 MB | 34 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | **15.6** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [University of Wisconsin-Madison Shared Apps](https://appshunter.io/developer/908478605) | [University of Wisconsin-Madison](https://appshunter.io/developer/405951134) |

## 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


### BadgerSAFE

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/badgersafe/id6449374485)

This official safety application provides University of Wisconsin-Madison students and staff with critical safety alerts and instant access to campus security resources. It offers features like emergency contacts, real-time location sharing with friends, and direct tip reporting to campus security.

**Highlights:** Emergency Contacts, Friend Walk location sharing, Tip Reporting to security, Safety Toolbox, Campus Maps, Offline Emergency Procedures, Support Resources access, Safety Notifications

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Rockd free?

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

### Is BadgerSAFE free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Rockd or BadgerSAFE?

Rockd is rated higher. Rockd averages 4.4 out of 5 from 185 ratings, while BadgerSAFE averages 3.6 from 14 ratings.

### Do Rockd or BadgerSAFE have ads?

Neither Rockd nor BadgerSAFE shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Rockd or BadgerSAFE?

Rockd ships an update every 3 months, and BadgerSAFE every 14 months. Most recently, Rockd was updated on October 13, 2026 and BadgerSAFE on October 12, 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.*