Comparison

HerpMapper vs Pulse

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

Pulse

Read full description

Pulse helps you track time by activity: work, exercise, reading, or anything else, so you see where your time really goes. • Track with one tap Create activities with custom names and icons. Start and stop timers from the Today screen or from reminders. When you stop a timer you can quickly add notes to it. • See time at a glance with Live Activities When a timer is running, it appears on your Lock Screen, with the activity name and live elapsed time, so you can stay focused without opening the app. Tap to jump straight back in. • Understand your patterns History shows your entries by day. Stats break down totals by period and by activity, with progress and percentages. Use the "project-time" feature to see hypothetical totals for the next month or year based on your recent averages. • Reminders that act Set recurring reminders by weekday and optional long-run nudges per activity. Notifications can start or stop tracking with a single tap. • Designed for clarity Clean layout, subtle animations, and support for light and dark appearance. Export your data as CSV (Pro) with date range and activity filters. Start with up to five activities, three reminders and a 14-day-history for free; remove limits with Pulse Pro.

Screenshots

HerpMapper4 screens
Pulse4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: HerpMapper at none against Pulse's 1. HerpMapper also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.6). Pulse's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 3 months). On price, ads 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. Pulse sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. HerpMapper asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HerpMapper ships an update every 3 months, Pulse every 4 days. Both last shipped on October 1, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
HerpMapper versus Pulse: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHerpMapperPulse
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.5 (24 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews41.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings24 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size67 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDonald BeckerLucas Pascal Ciba

In-app purchases

None

HerpMapper

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Pulse

One-time1
  • Pulse Pro$3.99

Questions

Is HerpMapper free?
HerpMapper is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Pulse free?
Pulse is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do HerpMapper or Pulse have ads?
Neither HerpMapper nor Pulse shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HerpMapper or Pulse?
HerpMapper ships an update every 3 months, and Pulse every 4 days. Most recently, HerpMapper was updated on October 1, 2026 and Pulse on October 1, 2026.

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