Comparison

Digital Documentation vs EchoSoil

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Digital Documentation

Features
Read full description

Discover the potential of Augmented Reality (AR) by exploring the 3D models of Rosslyn Chapel and the Nagasaki Giant Cantilever Crane. 
Use this app in conjunction with our Short Guide historicenvironment.scot/dd-short-guide ABOUT THE SHORT GUIDE: 
Historic Environment Scotland’s free Short Guide, ‘Applied Digital Documentation in the Historic Environment’ looks at different data capture techniques that can be used in the analysis, recording, conservation and visualisation of historic objects, sites and landscapes in their present condition. 
Its’ case studies outlines the uses and applications of potentially vast, multi-layered datasets. Each section within the guide will present best practices, as well as fundamental principles that will assist those looking to undertake digital documentation. 
For the AR triggers, please view pages 84 and 85 within the guide. 
 ABOUT ROSSLYN CHAPEL: 
Rosslyn Chapel is a late medieval, listed building and Scheduled Ancient Monument located in the village of Roslin, near Edinburgh. 
The Centre for Digital Documentation and Visualisation LLP (CDDV) is a partnership between Historic Environment Scotland and The Glasgow School of Art. Since 2008, CDDV has digitally documented the interior and exterior of Rosslyn Chapel using cutting-edge laser scanning technologies and 360° panoramic photography; the 3D laser scan data was later developed into a photorealistic, virtual 3D model of the chapel. 
 ABOUT THE NAGASAKI CRANE: 
The Giant Cantilever Crane is situated at the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries shipyard in Nagasaki, Japan. It is a major landmark in a city with strong historical links to Scotland. The crane itself was designed by the Glasgow Electric Crane and Hoist Company, and constructed by the Motherwell Bridge Company. 
The Centre for Digital Documentation and Visualisation LLP (CDDV) 3D laser scanned the crane as part of the Scottish Ten project, which digitally documented Scotland’s then five World Heritage Sites and a further five international heritage sites. 
 FEEDBACK WELCOME: 
We are always happy to receive feedback, so please do send your thoughts and ideas on how we can improve this app to digital@hes.scot.

About

EchoSoil

Features
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EchoSoil is the official mobile app of the ECHO project, a citizen science initiative co-funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe programme. This app empowers individuals, communities, and researchers to monitor and protect soil health across Europe. EchoSoil enables users to: Collect and share soil data from their surroundings Upload photos and observations to the ECHOREPO open-access repository Learn about soil biodiversity and restoration Participate in a Europe-wide effort to promote soil stewardship The app is fully free to use and designed for educational, scientific, and environmental engagement purposes. All collected data contributes to a collaborative EU-wide initiative aimed at restoring and protecting soil ecosystems. Visit https://echosoil.eu for more information about the project and its impact.

Screenshots

Digital Documentation4 screens
EchoSoil3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: EchoSoil at fortnightly against Digital Documentation's every 37 months. Digital Documentation's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Digital Documentation ships an update every 37 months, EchoSoil fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 4 level
Digital Documentation versus EchoSoil: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDigital DocumentationEchoSoil
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 37 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size122 MB82 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHistoric Environment ScotlandANERIS - Minka

In-app purchases

None

Digital Documentation

No in-app purchases

None

EchoSoil

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Digital Documentation free?
Digital Documentation is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is EchoSoil free?
EchoSoil is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Digital Documentation or EchoSoil have ads?
Neither Digital Documentation nor EchoSoil shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Digital Documentation or EchoSoil?
Digital Documentation ships an update every 37 months, and EchoSoil fortnightly. Most recently, Digital Documentation was updated on November 11, 2026 and EchoSoil on November 5, 2026.

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