Comparison

Strat Mobile vs ICS

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

Head to head
About

Strat Mobile

This application allows geologists to measure and record stratigraphic sections directly on their mobile devices. It offers multiple measurement methods, including using the device's camera or a traditional Jacob Staff, and automatically logs location and time data. Users can define lithology types, view statistics, and see section locations on a map.

Highlights
  • Real-time stratigraphic section plotting
  • Measure sections using device camera or Jacob Staff
  • Automatic recording of location, time, and date
  • Define unlimited lithology types with custom colors
  • Basic statistics on lithology thicknesses and percentages
  • View section locations on satellite or road maps
Features
Read full description

Strat Mobile is a program for iOS devices that enables you to measure and record stratigraphic sections right on your iPhone or iPad. Some of the basic tasks that one can perform with the app include: • Real time plotting of the stratigraphic section as it is being measured. • Measure sections using your know eye height as the “Jacob Staff” by sighting down dip through the device camera. The thickness of the measured interval, of course, depends directly on the dip (as well as your eye height). • Measure sections using a traditional Jacob Staff. The device can determine the strike and dip of the bedding for you with the tap of a button • Measure sections using a tape measure. You enter the tape azimuth, slope, start and end point, as well as the strike and dip of bedding, and the device will calculate the correct thickness automatically. • Automatically record, latitude, longitude, time and date for every interval measured • You can define an unlimited number of lithology types (with corresponding colors and widths) to draw your section and tag your observations • Provide basic statistics on the section measured, including the thicknesses and percentages of each lithology • See the locations of entire sections, measured intervals, and samples on a satellite image or road map. • Provide basic input and output of data using standard iOS conventions Will work on iPhones or iPads. The program will work on iPads lacking a cellular data connection but those devices have fewer sensors and thus cannot be used in automatic data collection mode.

About

ICS

Access authoritative geological time scale data and information on Global Boundary Stratotype Sections and Points (GSSPs). Explore charts, detailed GSSP information, and relevant statistics.

Highlights
  • Demonstration of ICS chart
  • Detailed GSSP information
  • GSSP statistics
  • Authoritative data service
Features
Read full description

ICS Timescale is the official APP of the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS). It is designed to provide authoritative data service of ICS. The main functions include: 1) Demonstration of the ICS chart. 2) Detail information about each GSSP. 3) Statistics of the GSSPs.

Screenshots

Strat Mobile4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: ICS at 4.3 against Strat Mobile's 1.0. ICS also leads on ratings volume (3 vs 1). Strat Mobile's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 2 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

ICS holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 1.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 3 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Strat Mobile ships an update monthly, ICS every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Strat Mobile versus ICS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStrat MobileICS
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.0 (1 ratings)4.3 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings13 — better
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS10.09.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB20 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRichard Allmendinger隽轩 樊

Customer experience

Strat Mobile

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

ICS

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral33.3%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Strat Mobile

No in-app purchases

None

ICS

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Strat Mobile free?
Strat Mobile is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ICS free?
ICS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Strat Mobile or ICS?
ICS is rated higher. Strat Mobile averages 1.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while ICS averages 4.3 from 3 ratings.
Do Strat Mobile or ICS have ads?
Neither Strat Mobile nor ICS shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Strat Mobile or ICS?
Strat Mobile ships an update monthly, and ICS every 2 months. Most recently, Strat Mobile was updated on October 8, 2026 and ICS on October 4, 2026.

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