# Rockd vs Ruby Glint

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Rockd | Ruby Glint |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (185 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rockd/id1153056624/reviews) | **[4.7 (210 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ruby-glint-rock-identifier/id6651859991/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 185 | **210** |
| Positive reviews | **73.3% of reviews** | 47.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 11 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 259 MB | 110 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [University of Wisconsin-Madison Shared Apps](https://appshunter.io/developer/908478605) | [Ruby Glint Technologies Co., Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1764085782) |

## 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


### Ruby Glint

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ruby-glint-rock-identifier/id6651859991)

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.

**Highlights:** Photo-based identification, Detailed stone information, Rock and mineral location map, Learning modules, Global gemstone marketplace, Collection tracker

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

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| AI Tools Premium Weekly | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Unlimited | $9.99 | per month |
| Yearly Unlimited | $29.99 | per year |
| Yearly Unlimited | $39.99 | per year |
| Yearly Unlimited | $69.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Rockd free?

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

### Is Ruby Glint free?

Ruby Glint is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Rockd or Ruby Glint?

Ruby Glint is rated higher. Rockd averages 4.4 out of 5 from 185 ratings, while Ruby Glint averages 4.7 from 210 ratings.

### Do Rockd or Ruby Glint have ads?

Neither Rockd nor Ruby Glint shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Rockd or Ruby Glint?

Rockd ships an update every 3 months, and Ruby Glint every 11 days. Most recently, Rockd was updated on September 18, 2026 and Ruby Glint on September 23, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*