ZENTRA Utility vs NMDC Field Notes
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ZENTRA Utility
Configure and manage METER Data Loggers wirelessly via Bluetooth. View sensor data, adjust settings, test connectivity, and update firmware for compatible devices.
- Wireless Bluetooth connection
- View sensor data
- Configure device settings
- Test cellular connection
- Update firmware
- Calibrate sensors
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ZENTRA Utility Mobile is the newest way to interact with your ZENTRA System devices. Using Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE), you can wirelessly connect to your devices, view information about the device and sensors, and configure the device according to your needs. ZENTRA Utility features: - Wirelessly connect to ZENTRA System devices - View sensor and on-board measurement values - Configure device metadata, measurement interval, cellular communication settings, and sensor configuration - Test cellular connection of your device - Search for available carriers to which the device can connect - Save preferences for unit types and device defaults - Update logger and sensor firmware - Calibrate and install sensors - Create and manage calibrations for Soil Moisture Sensors Compatible Devices - ZL6 - ZL6 Basic - ATMOS 41W - ZSC Send Feedback Within ZENTRA Utility, you can easily send feedback. If there are things that you like or don't like, please let us know. We want to create the best user experience possible. Thanks for using ZENTRA Utility!
NMDC Field Notes
This app allows microbiome researchers to record biosample metadata directly in the field. It streamlines data documentation at the point of collection, offering features like ORCID login and automatic syncing with a web portal. Designed in collaboration with researchers, it provides a mobile alternative to browser-based submission.
- Record biosample metadata in the field
- Streamline data documentation
- ORCID login
- One-tap entry of user info, coordinates, and dates
- Dynamic UI forms from LinkML schema
- Automatic syncing with NMDC Submission Portal
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Notice: Due to a shift in program budget and priorities for 2026, the NMDC is not actively developing or maintaining the Field Notes Mobile App. Please visit the NMDC website for more information about our other products to submit, access and share microbiome data. --- NMDC Field Notes is an iOS/iPadOS app microbiome researchers can use to record metadata about the biosamples they collect while they are working in the field. It is a mobile alternative to the browser-based NMDC Submission Portal web app, designed specifically to streamline the process of documenting metadata at the time of biosample collection. Its features (all of which were designed in collaboration with microbiome researchers) include: ORCID login, entry of study and biosample metadata, one-tap entry of user information, geographical coordinates, and dates, user interface forms that are dynamically generated from a LinkML schema, and automatic syncing of study and biosamples metadata with the NMDC Submission Portal.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: NMDC Field Notes at 5.0 against ZENTRA Utility's 4.4. ZENTRA Utility's advantage is ratings volume (7 vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
NMDC Field Notes holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ZENTRA Utility has 7 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
ZENTRA Utility ships an update every 4 months, NMDC Field Notes every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | ZENTRA Utility | NMDC Field Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (7 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 12.5% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 7 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months — better | Every 5 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 14.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 91 MB | 12 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | METER Group, Inc. | LAWRENCE BERKELEY |
Customer experience
ZENTRA Utility
NMDC Field Notes
In-app purchases
ZENTRA Utility
No in-app purchases
NMDC Field Notes
No in-app purchases
