Rockd vs Ruby Glint
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Interactive global geologic maps
- 3D virtual globe exploration
- Field observation logging
- Offline map caching
- Paleogeographic map access
- Stratigraphic column viewing
- Geologic literature integration
Read full descriptionHide 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.
Ruby Glint
Instantly identify rocks, crystals, minerals, and gemstones by taking or uploading a photo. Learn their names, properties, origins, and even their value. Explore a global marketplace and track your own collection.
- Photo-based identification
- Detailed stone information
- Rock and mineral location map
- Learning modules
- Global gemstone marketplace
- Collection tracker
Read full descriptionHide full description
Ruby Glint is your all-in-one app to identify rock, crystal, mineral and gemstone in seconds. Take or upload a photo of any rock or crystal, and instantly get accurate results. Ruby Glint helps you recognize over 6,600 types of stones, crystals, minerals, and gemstones using advanced rock identification. Found a rock while exploring and want to know what it is? Are you curious about the crystals, minerals, and gemstones in your collection? Ruby Glint is the best app to identify rocks, crystals, minerals, gemstones, and stones. Take a photo and get instant results. Learn the name, properties, and value of each stone. Explore crystal meanings, find out where rocks come from, and build your own collection. If you love rocks and gemstones, this crystal and mineral app is made for you. Rock, Crystal, Mineral, and Gemstone Identifier Snap a photo of any rock, stone, crystal, or mineral to identify it quickly. Our powerful rock identifier and gemstone scanner matches your photo with thousands of known stones and crystals. Perfect for crystal collectors, mineral enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the rocks they find. Learn About Every Stone Each identification result gives you detailed information: scientific name, hardness, color, composition, and formation. Learn where each rock, crystal, or mineral is commonly found. From quartz crystals to rare gemstones, Ruby Glint’s crystal identifier makes geology easy to explore. Rock and Mineral Location Map Discover where others are finding crystals, gemstones, and minerals using our interactive rock map. See what stones are scanned in your area, or add your own discovery to the crystal and mineral community. Best map for rockhound. Crystal and Mineral Learning Modules Want to learn more about rocks, crystals, and stones? Explore guided lessons on gemstone grading, mineral types, crystal healing, and more. Build your knowledge and become confident in identifying every stone you come across using powerful stone identifier features. Global Gemstone Marketplace Buy and sell gemstones, crystals, and mineral specimens with collectors worldwide. Browse listings, filter by stone type, and connect with trusted buyers and sellers through our gemstone trading platform. In-App Chat and Offers Ask sellers about specific stones or crystals. Make offers directly and keep all communication secure inside the app. Ideal for crystal traders, gemstone collectors, and rock enthusiasts. Crystal and Mineral Collection Tracker Keep a digital record of your rocks and minerals. Organize your stone collection by type, location, or notes. Ruby Glint helps you track every crystal and gemstone you identify or collect. Crystal Meanings and Healing Uses Learn the spiritual and healing properties of popular crystals and stones. Explore chakras, birthstones, zodiac gems, and how crystals have been used across cultures for centuries. Ask a Rock Expert Have questions about a gemstone or mineral? Submit photos and get insights from experienced collectors and crystal specialists. Great for getting a second opinion or confirming rare finds. Built for Every Rock and Crystal Lover Whether you're a beginner in rockhounding, a mineral hobbyist, a crystal lover, or a gemstone trader, Ruby Glint helps you identify, understand, and enjoy every stone you find. Download Ruby Glint today to identify any stone, explore its value, and connect with the global gemstone community. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula Contact us: support@rubyglint.com Find out more about Ruby Glint at: https://rubyglint.com
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Rockd at none against Ruby Glint's 5. Rockd also leads on review sentiment (73% vs 48%). Ruby Glint's advantage is update cadence (every 11 days vs every 3 months) and rating (4.7 vs 4.4). On price, ratings volume, ads 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
Both are free to download. Ruby Glint sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Rockd asks for nothing beyond the download.
Ruby Glint holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 185 and 210 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 73% of Rockd's written reviews are positive against 48% of Ruby Glint's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Rockd ships an update every 3 months, Ruby Glint every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Rockd | Ruby Glint |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (185 ratings) | 4.7 (210 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 73.3% of reviews — better | 47.6% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 185 | 210 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 11 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 259 MB | 110 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | University of Wisconsin-Madison Shared Apps | Ruby Glint Technologies Co., Ltd |
Customer experience
Rockd
Ruby Glint
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 moreShow fewer
- 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 moreShow fewer
- 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
Ruby Glint
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Rockd
No in-app purchases
Ruby Glint
- AI Tools Premium Weekly3 Days trial$6.997 Days
- Monthly Unlimited$9.991 Month
- Yearly Unlimited7 Days trial$29.991 Year
Show 2 moreShow fewer
- Yearly Unlimited7 Days trial$39.991 Year
- Yearly Unlimited7 Days trial$69.991 Year









