Comparison

Magnetic Detector, Stud Finder vs PoolLevels

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

Head to head
About

Magnetic Detector, Stud Finder

This app uses your device's magnetometer to detect magnetic and electromagnetic fields. It helps locate metal objects, hidden wires, pipes, and even wood studs behind walls. Get real-time readings and alerts to explore your surroundings.

Highlights
  • Detects magnetic and EMF fields
  • Locates metal objects, wires, and pipes
  • Finds hidden wood studs behind walls
  • Real-time magnetic field intensity readings (μT & mG)
  • Active detection beep alerts
  • Automatic storage of time and measurements
Features
Read full description

Turn your iPhone into a powerful Magnetic Detector and Metal Detector. Detect nearby magnetic fields, find hidden metal screws and nails, scan walls for magnetic objects, and measure EMF magnetic field activity in real time using your device's built-in magnetometer. Whether you're searching for metal fasteners behind walls, exploring magnetic sources, or measuring magnetic field strength, Magnetic Detector makes it easy to visualize changes in your surroundings. Magnetic Detector is handy for comparing readings around appliances, walls, and everyday objects. When used as a Metal Detector, it can help you spot nearby iron or steel items by showing changes in the magnetic field. FIND HIDDEN METAL OBJECTS Use your iPhone as a magnetic metal detector to help locate ferromagnetic objects such as iron and steel screws, nails, certain pipes, metal fittings, and other magnetic materials. Move your device slowly along walls or plasterboard to detect magnetic disturbances. Metal fasteners may help indicate the location of hidden wall studs. DETECT & MEASURE MAGNETIC FIELDS Transform your device into a real-time EMF magnetic field meter. Monitor magnetic field intensity with an intuitive digital gauge and observe how measurements change as you approach magnetic objects. The app displays magnetic field strength in: - μT (microtesla) - mG (milligauss) Earth's magnetic field is typically 25–65 μT. 1 μT equals 10 mG. POWERFUL DETECTION FEATURES - Real-time magnetic field and EMF magnetic field measurements. - Magnetic metal detection using your device's built-in magnetometer. - Interactive gauge displaying magnetic field intensity. - Audible warning when the magnetic field exceeds the configured threshold. - Automatic recording of measurements and timestamps. - Three-axis magnetic field readings (Bx, By, Bz). - 3D visualization of magnetic field measurements. - Room scanning to explore magnetic hotspots. - Support for microtesla and milligauss measurements. USE YOUR IPHONE AS A STUD FINDER Searching for hidden screws or nails in a wall? Magnetic Detector can help identify nearby ferromagnetic fasteners that may indicate the position of wooden studs or metal structures. IDEAL FOR DIY, EDUCATION & EXPLORATION Magnetic Detector can be useful for: - DIY enthusiasts and handymen exploring walls for magnetic fasteners. - Students conducting physics experiments and school projects. - Teachers demonstrating magnetic field behavior. - Engineers and technology enthusiasts studying magnetic measurements. - Anyone curious about magnetic activity around electronic devices, speakers, magnets, and other objects. HOW DOES IT WORK? The app uses the magnetometer integrated into your iPhone to measure nearby magnetic field strength. Ferromagnetic objects can produce or disturb local magnetic fields. As you move your device closer to these objects, the magnetic field readings may change, helping you identify potential magnetic sources. Tip: Shake your device to help recalibrate the magnetic sensor. Keep your phone away from magnetic accessories that could interfere with measurements. IMPORTANT INFORMATION Magnetic Detector is designed for personal, educational, and entertainment purposes. It is not a replacement for professional metal detectors, stud finders, electrical wire detectors, or safety equipment. Detection is primarily limited to nearby magnetic and ferromagnetic materials. The app cannot directly detect wooden studs, non-magnetic metals such as copper or aluminum, or reliably identify electrical wiring. Always verify wall conditions with appropriate professional tools before drilling. Accuracy depends on your device, distance, and magnetic interference. If you experience any issues or have suggestions, please contact us and include your device model and iOS version. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

PoolLevels

Features
Read full description

Type in your pool test readings and PoolLevels tells you what the water is doing and the one thing to add. Most pool apps hand you a wall of numbers and a red or green face. PoolLevels computes the saturation index the way a water chemist would, says whether the water is corrosive, balanced or scaling, and gives you a single dose sized for your pool, with the arithmetic printed underneath so you can check it yourself. WHAT IT DOES Real carbonate chemistry. The saturation index from pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, cyanuric acid and water temperature, using the Plummer and Busenberg equilibria and Davies activity coefficients, with the cyanurate correction most calculators leave out. One thing at a time. Not a list of six chemicals. One dose, sized for your pool's actual gallons, rounded to a precision you can measure with a jug. The working shown. Every recommendation prints the arithmetic that produced it, so you can see where the number came from instead of trusting it. Safe handling on every dose. Half first with the pump running, circulate, retest, then the rest. Never mix chemicals. Always acid into water. These are on the recommendation, not buried in a help page. Your history. Every reading you save, with the date you tested, so you can see whether last month's dose actually did anything. Strip capture and reading. Photograph a test strip and the app finds it in the photo, records each pad's colour, and can turn those colours into readings by matching them against the bottle's printed chart, corrected where we have paired that strip with a store test. Every reading taken from a photo is labelled as such, any pad whose colour sits far from every chart swatch is marked uncertain, and typing the numbers from a store test is always one tap away. WHAT IT WILL NOT DO It will not guess. Leave out calcium hardness or cyanuric acid and it says so rather than assuming a number. That is not fussiness: omitting cyanuric acid moved a real sample by 0.18 and flipped its verdict from corrosive to balanced. A wrong answer delivered confidently is worse than no answer. It will not track you. No account, no sign in, no advertising. Your readings, your pool and your photos are stored on your phone and nowhere else. The app sends anonymous usage events, such as that a strip was read or the upgrade screen was opened, with no readings, no photos and no location. Purchases go through Apple. Delete it and the data goes with it. It is not a substitute for a test kit, a product label, or a professional. It calculates from the numbers you give it, or reads them from a strip. A strip reading is a first look, not a test kit result. Read the label on the chemical you are actually using, because concentrations differ between brands. Terms: https://poollevels.com/terms Privacy: https://poollevels.com/privacy

Screenshots

Magnetic Detector, Stud Finder4 screens
PoolLevels4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: PoolLevels at none against Magnetic Detector, Stud Finder's shown. PoolLevels also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). Magnetic Detector, Stud Finder's advantage is device support (4 vs 2). On price, in-app purchases and iOS requirement 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. Magnetic Detector, Stud Finder sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and PoolLevels sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Magnetic Detector, Stud Finder ships an update every 2 months, PoolLevels every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Magnetic Detector, Stud Finder versus PoolLevels: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMagnetic Detector, Stud FinderPoolLevels
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (444 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews90.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings444 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size30 MB47 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJose BelloALSTIG INC

Bugs and requests

Magnetic Detector, Stud Finder

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Readings sometimes inconsistent or stop at certain thresholds
  • Compatibility issues with some devices

Requested features

3 requests
  • Add support for measuring electric fields
  • Improve accuracy and sensitivity
  • Provide more detailed readings and analysis

PoolLevels

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Magnetic Detector, Stud Finder

Subscriptions1
  • Weekly Full Access$4.997 Days
One-time3
  • Remove Ads - Magnetic Detector$2.99
  • Unlock all - Premium & Warning Beep$4.99
  • Lifetime Full Access$12.99
2 purchases

PoolLevels

Subscriptions2
  • PoolLevels Pro Monthly$4.991 Month
  • PoolLevels Pro Annual$41.991 Year

Questions

Is Magnetic Detector, Stud Finder free?
Magnetic Detector, Stud Finder is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PoolLevels free?
PoolLevels is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Magnetic Detector, Stud Finder or PoolLevels have ads?
Magnetic Detector, Stud Finder shows ads; PoolLevels does not.
Which is updated more often, Magnetic Detector, Stud Finder or PoolLevels?
Magnetic Detector, Stud Finder ships an update every 2 months, and PoolLevels every 2 weeks. Most recently, Magnetic Detector, Stud Finder was updated on November 3, 2026 and PoolLevels on October 31, 2026.

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