Comparison

HerpMapper vs SF Study

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

Head to head
About

HerpMapper

Record reptile and amphibian observations with photos, sounds, and GPS locations. Your data supports scientific research and conservation efforts globally. Access your findings online and contribute to a shared database.

Highlights
  • Record observations with photos and sound
  • Automatic GPS location tagging
  • Offline recording capability
  • Searchable herpetofauna database
  • Data contribution to research and conservation
  • View records on the HerpMapper website
Features
Read full description

HerpMapper is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization designed to gather and share information about reptile and amphibian observations across the planet. Using the HerpMapper mobile app, you can create records of your herp observations and keep them all in one place. In turn, your data is made available to HerpMapper Partners – groups who use your recorded observations for research, conservation, and preservation purposes. Your observations can make valuable contributions on the behalf of amphibians and reptiles. Using your phone’s camera and GPS capabilities, the HerpMapper mobile app creates a ‘voucher record’ of your find, incorporating photos of the animal, and recording the location. For calling frogs and toads, the app enables you to record and include a sound file in a record. The date and time of day are also recorded. The app features a searchable database of the common and scientific names for all of the world’s herpetofauna, and you can search for either type of name by entering just a fragment. The newest version of the app allows you to add multiple photos and soundfiles to a record The HerpMapper mobile app does not require wireless or cellular service in order to properly record locations - it uses your phone’s native GPS device, which remains in satellite contact when outside (many HerpMapper records have been recorded in remote corners of the globe). Once you are back in wireless or cellular range, you can upload (sync) your collected records to the HerpMapper database. Once uploaded, you can view any and all of your records from the HerpMapper website (www.herpmapper.org). Creating a HerpMapper account is fast, simple, and free, and you can use the site and the mobile app to keep track of your finds, build a life list, and contribute to science and herp conservation! Instructions for creating an account, and installing and using the mobile app, are listed on the HerpMapper website. Who can see the records you create? There are two levels of visibility for records. Only you and HerpMapper Partners have access to all of the data in the records you create. Other users of HerpMapper and the general public can only see very basic information in your records – they do not have access to exact locality data. Any pictures attached to a record have their locality metadata stripped, so they can be seen by everyone on the HerpMapper website, which means you can also see the cool herps being recorded by other people from around the world. Who are HerpMapper's Partners? For the most part, they are biologists working for state or regional agencies, university researchers, or conservation organizations across the globe. A list of HerpMapper Partners is maintained on the HerpMapper website.

About

SF Study

This app provides parents of youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) with resources to learn about and discuss various topics. It aims to facilitate communication and understanding between parents and their children.

Highlights
  • Learn about topics relevant to youth with ASD
  • Facilitate communication with youth
  • Support for parents of children with ASD
  • Resource hub for ASD-related discussions
Read full description

SF Study - Parent Hub helps parents of youth with ASD learn about and talk to their youth regarding various topics. --------------------------------------- PRIVACY POLICY: https://dfusioninc.com/privacy.html CONTACT SUPPORT: https://dfusioninc.com/connect/

Screenshots

HerpMapper4 screens
SF Study3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: SF Study at 5.0 against HerpMapper's 3.5. HerpMapper's advantage is ratings volume (24 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SF Study holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: HerpMapper has 24 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HerpMapper ships an update every 3 months, SF Study every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on October 1, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
HerpMapper versus SF Study: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHerpMapperSF Study
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.5 (24 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews41.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings24 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.014.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size67 MB26 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDonald Beckerdfusion, Inc

Customer experience

HerpMapper

All ratings24 ratings
Positive58.3%
Neutral8.3%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive41.7%
Neutral8.3%
Negative50.0%

SF Study

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

HerpMapper

No in-app purchases

None

SF Study

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is HerpMapper free?
HerpMapper is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SF Study free?
SF Study is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, HerpMapper or SF Study?
SF Study is rated higher. HerpMapper averages 3.5 out of 5 from 24 ratings, while SF Study averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do HerpMapper or SF Study have ads?
Neither HerpMapper nor SF Study shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HerpMapper or SF Study?
HerpMapper ships an update every 3 months, and SF Study every 6 weeks. Most recently, HerpMapper was updated on October 1, 2026 and SF Study on October 1, 2026.

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