Rockd vs Hutton App
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
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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.
Hutton App
Explore Earth's geologic wonders with this comprehensive field guide. Identify rocks and minerals using AI or manual methods, access professional geologic maps, and discover over 32,000 rockhounding sites. Document your expeditions with GPS-tagged notes and photos, and connect with a global community of geology enthusiasts.
- Professional geologic maps
- Real-time data updates
- AI rock and mineral identification
- Manual identification mode
- 32,000+ rockhounding sites
- GPS-tagged trip documentation
- Integrated geology dictionary
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Unlock Earth’s geologic wonders with Hutton. Whether you are a seasoned geologist, a student, or a weekend rockhound, Hutton turns your smartphone into an easy-to-use, comprehensive geology field guide. Named after the father of modern geology, James Hutton, our app bridges the gap between deep scientific data and the joy of outdoor discovery. Explore professional geologic maps Powered by Macrostrat integration, Hutton provides a deep look at the ground beneath you. • Real-Time Data: View interpretative geologic maps that update as you hike, climb, or drive. • Formation Insights: Explore geologic units to learn about the surrounding rock’s age, lithology (rock type), formation, and stratigraphic name. • Offline Access: Headed off-grid? Download maps and take the world’s geology with you, even without cell service. Identify rocks and minerals Never leave a mystery stone behind. Hutton offers a dual-approach to identification: • Instant AI ID: Snap a photo for high-speed identification trained on thousands of verified mineral specimens. • The "Scientific Method" Mode: If you want to be certain, Hutton guides you through a manual testing prompt. Answer questions about Hardness (Mohs Scale), Luster, Streak, and Cleavage to arrive at a professional-grade identification. It’s not just an ID—it’s a geology lesson. Discover the ultimate rockhounding companion Find your next treasure with our database of 32,000+ rockhounding sites. • Know Before You Go: Get detailed info on what minerals are found at each site (Agates, Geodes, Quartz, and more). • Site Insights: Each rockhounding location includes AI-generated identification tips, collector notes, and geological summaries to help you know what to look for. Document your journey • Document your expeditions with our "Trips" feature. Save photos of outcrops and write field notes directly to your GPS-tagged path. • At the end of your journey, Hutton generates a beautiful, organized report summarizing your discoveries and the geologic formations you traversed. Who is Hutton for? Outdoor Enthusiasts: Add a new layer of depth to your adventures. It’s like having a professional geologist at your side. Students & Educators: A powerful companion for geology field camps. Turn every hike into a laboratory. Hobbyist Rockhounds: Use our site guides and ID tools to build a world-class collection. Professional Geologists: A quick-reference tool for stratigraphic units and a digital backup for field observations. A global geology community Virtual Collection: Catalog your finds in a beautiful digital gallery and photo album. Geology Dictionary: Master the terminology of Earth Science with an integrated glossary of thousands of terms. Community Hub: Share your trip reports, ask questions, and connect with a community that shares your passion for the Earth. Frequently asked questions • Does it work in remote areas? Yes! Our offline mapping and trip tracking are designed for remote field work. • How accurate is the identification? Our AI is constantly learning, but our "Physical Test" mode ensures you have the tools to verify every find personally. • Is my data private? Your field notes and trip locations are yours alone. You only share what you choose to post to the Community Tab. Download Hutton today and uncover the stories written in stone. Terms of Use: https://node-js-template-geokidzinfo.replit.app/terms Privacy Policy: https://node-js-template-geokidzinfo.replit.app/privacy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Hutton App at 5.0 against Rockd's 4.4. Hutton App also leads on update cadence (every 9 days vs every 3 months). Rockd's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ads (none vs shown). On price, device support 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
Both are free to download. Hutton App sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Rockd asks for nothing beyond the download.
Hutton App holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Rockd has 185 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Rockd ships an update every 3 months, Hutton App every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Rockd | Hutton App |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (185 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 73.6% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 185 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 9 days — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| 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 | 61 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | University of Wisconsin-Madison Shared Apps | GeoKidz LLC |
Customer experience
Rockd
Hutton App
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
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- 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
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- 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
Hutton App
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Rockd
No in-app purchases
Hutton App
- Hutton Premium Monthly3 Days trial$5.991 Month
- Hutton Premium Six month3 Days trial$29.996 Months
- Hutton Yearly Monthly3 Days trial$47.991 Year








