# RIDGID Thermal vs IR explorer

The clearest difference is rating: IR explorer at 3.1 against RIDGID Thermal's 1.8. IR explorer also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 9 months) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.6). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

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

IR explorer holds the better App Store score, 3.1 against 1.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 128 and 49 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 26% and 27% positive.

RIDGID Thermal ships an update every 9 months, IR explorer fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | RIDGID Thermal | IR explorer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.8 (128 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ridgid-thermal/id1275426885/reviews) | **[3.1 (49 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ir-explorer/id1580206229/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **128** | 49 |
| Positive reviews | 26.5% of reviews | **27.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 29 MB | 75 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [RIDGID Software Solutions](https://appshunter.io/developer/444491225) | [InfiRay Technologies Co.,Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1516230719) |

## What reviewers say

### RIDGID Thermal

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ridgid-thermal/id1275426885)

Connect to Wi-Fi enabled thermal imagers to transfer, analyze, and organize thermal images on your smartphone or tablet.  Easily add measurements, annotations, and adjust color palettes before saving and sharing your findings.

**Highlights:** Wi-Fi image transfer, Thermal image analysis, Spot measurements, Image annotations, Temperature display, Color palette adjustment, Image sharing

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Works as intended (with hardware)
- 💡 Explains hardware requirement

**What reviewers complain about**

- 👎 Requires external thermal camera
- 👎 App doesn't take photos
- 👎 App doesn't detect heat
- 👎 App is a scam
- 👎 App is useless without hardware

**Reported bugs**

- App connects to network without permission
- App requests location access
- App doesn't take photos
- App doesn't detect heat
- App shows pre-taken photos


### IR explorer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ir-explorer/id1580206229)

This app transforms your smartphone into an infrared camera, allowing you to see objects emitting heat in dark environments. It offers clear imaging, various filter effects, and real-time temperature detection for outdoor enthusiasts and professionals.

**Highlights:** Infrared camera functionality, Clear night vision imaging, Temperature detection, Multiple filter effects, Hot spot tracking, Laser pointing function

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is RIDGID Thermal free?

RIDGID Thermal is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is IR explorer free?

IR explorer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, RIDGID Thermal or IR explorer?

IR explorer is rated higher. RIDGID Thermal averages 1.8 out of 5 from 128 ratings, while IR explorer averages 3.1 from 49 ratings.

### Do RIDGID Thermal or IR explorer have ads?

Neither RIDGID Thermal nor IR explorer shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, RIDGID Thermal or IR explorer?

RIDGID Thermal ships an update every 9 months, and IR explorer fortnightly. Most recently, RIDGID Thermal was updated on October 24, 2026 and IR explorer on October 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*