HerpMapper vs Pulse
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
Read full descriptionHide 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.
Pulse
Read full descriptionHide 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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. Pulse sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. HerpMapper asks for nothing beyond the download.
HerpMapper ships an update every 3 months, Pulse every 4 days. Both last shipped on October 1, 2026.
| Parameter | HerpMapper | Pulse |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.5 (24 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 41.7% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 24 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 67 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Donald Becker | Lucas Pascal Ciba |
In-app purchases
HerpMapper
No in-app purchases
Pulse
- Pulse Pro$3.99









