MineAR vs Detector Maps
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
MineAR
Visualize your subsurface GIS data in 3D augmented reality directly in the field. Overlay your data with terrain and geography to identify obstructions, compare topography, and discover new exploration targets. Works offline and includes a NearMe service for points of interest.
- Augmented reality data visualization
- Overlay subsurface data with terrain
- Identify drilling obstructions
- Offline functionality
- NearMe service for points of interest
- Import CSV and GEOJSON data
- Data styling and organization
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Data you can grasp. As a geoscience professional, we know you want an easier way to see your GIS data while you’re in the field. MineAR allows you to do exactly that. Our app seamlessly allows you to upload your subsurface data and lets you see it alongside your surrounding terrain and geography. MineAR helps eliminate costly mistakes by allowing you to engage with your data, see obstructions for your drilling and exploration targets, and compare the topography with where you need to drill in real space. Discover all of this on our app. ▶ How It Works 1 - LOAD YOUR DATA Expect accurate and dependable results that are fast and responsive. 2 - VIEW IT IN THE FIELD No more frustration. Confirm your drilling and exploration targets and cross-reference your data while never leaving the job site. 3 - DISCOVER Eliminate unknowns as you locate new minerals in real-time. ▶ Free MineAR App Features • No ads • NearMe service shows the roads, rivers, points of interest, and elevation models in augmented reality of your location. This service is particularly helpful in the discovery of new mining or digging locations so you can compare the topography and the terrain. • Augmented reality and virtual reality modes • Digital elevation model • Works on and offline • Compass and GPS keep you and your data centered with the elevation model. ▶ Additional Premium Features • IMPORT common datatypes: CSV, GEOJSON (points, lines and shapes!) • ORGANIZE your data by Project • VIEW and STYLIZE your data by any of the data's attributes. ▶ Free Trial! Subscription Information Thank you for being an early adopter! A free trial gives you complete access to the app and the ability to upload and view your own data. Sample data added for you to play with. ▶ Feedback: Having a problem, or want to request new features please contact us at support@gominear.com Terms of use: https://www.gominear.com/terms-of-use
Detector Maps
This app provides advanced geological data and GPS tools for gold prospecting in Australia, the US, and New Zealand. It offers offline map access, breadcrumb tracking, and waypoint marking to help users explore efficiently and locate potential gold-bearing areas.
- Advanced geological and gold-focused data
- Offline map and data layer downloads
- Breadcrumb trail tracking (background GPS)
- Waypoint marking with field notes
- Real-time GPS navigation
- Historic gold mines and workings layers
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Detector Maps is the field tool that keeps you on the gold - and on the relics. Built by geologists for prospectors, relic hunters and metal detectorists across the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, it pairs geological data and historical maps with rock-solid GPS so you spend your time on high-potential ground, not guessing. Whether you are swinging a detector for gold nuggets, coin shooting an old homestead, hunting Civil War relics or panning a creek, it puts serious research intelligence in your pocket - and it works offline, where the finds actually are. COIN & RELIC HUNTING - NATIONWIDE Research old towns, ghost towns, homesteads, schoolhouses and long-forgotten gathering places - the ground where old coins, buttons, buckles and relics are still waiting. - Historical map overlays: hunt the buildings, roads and fields the modern map forgot - Historic USGS Topo maps, coast to coast - LiDAR that reveals cellar holes, old roads and house sites hiding under the trees - Plan permissions with confidence before you knock GOLD PROSPECTING - 15 STATES Serious geology for nugget hunting, from California to the Carolinas. Detect where gold has already been found, then find what the old-timers missed. - Historic gold mines, diggings and workings - proven gold ground - Surface geochemistry with pathfinder-element filtering - Current and expired mining claims, updated every weekday - 1-metre LiDAR hillshade that reveals old workings worth a closer swing DETECTOR ACADEMY A built-in crash course: 34 short video lessons, most under a minute - layers, LiDAR, waypoints, trails, offline maps and Pro tools. DETECTOR GRIDS Plan complete, methodical coverage of a site with adjustable search lanes you follow while recording your trail - never grid the same ground twice. BREADCRUMB TRAIL TRACKING (BACKGROUND GPS) Record your exact trail even with the app in the background or the screen off. See where you have walked and save paths for the next trip. WHY WE REQUEST "ALLOW ALL THE TIME" LOCATION ACCESS Detector Maps only uses background location when you switch breadcrumb tracking ON, keeping an unbroken log while your phone is idle. Disable it anytime in the app or device settings. WAYPOINT MARKING AND FIND LOGGING Drop waypoints on coins, relics, gold finds and old workings. Add names, notes and photos, then sync securely between your phone and the web app so your finds are never lost. REAL-TIME GPS NAVIGATION Watch boundaries, geology, historical maps and terrain update around you as you move - a GPS built for prospecting, coin shooting and relic hunting. COVERAGE USA COIN & RELIC: Nationwide USA GOLD: CA, AL, NC, AZ, NV, ID, OR, UT, CO, MT, WA, SC, VA, GA, NM AUSTRALIA: QLD, NSW, VIC, WA, SA, TAS, NT NEW ZEALAND: historic goldfields, geology and offline maps CANADA: British Columbia SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION All plans include every map, standard data layers, offline downloads, and access to Australia, USA, New Zealand, Canada (BC) and the UK. USA Pricing - Explorer Monthly: $7.99 USD; Explorer Yearly: $59.99; Pro Monthly: $11.99 USD; Pro Yearly: $99.99 USD. Payment is charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel anytime in your App Store account settings. Pricing may vary by region. PRIVACY AND DATA Your location, trails and waypoints are used only for core app functionality. Delete your account anytime: Profile > Delete Account > type "confirm" > tap Delete. Privacy Policy: https://app.detectormaps.com/privacy-policy Terms of Use (EULA): https://app.detectormaps.com/license-agreement Whether you swing a GPX 6000, an Equinox, a Manticore, a Deus or a Gold Monster - or a sluice or a pan - Detector Maps helps you cover more ground, log your best finds, and read productive terrain like a professional.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is monetization model: MineAR at freemium against Detector Maps's subscription. MineAR also leads on ads (none vs shown) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). Detector Maps's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs every 3 months) and ratings volume (248 vs 5). On price, in-app purchases 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. MineAR sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Detector Maps sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
MineAR holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Detector Maps has 248 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two.
MineAR ships an update every 3 months, Detector Maps every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on June 1, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | MineAR | Detector Maps |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (5 ratings) — better | 4.7 (248 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | — | 73.6% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 5 | 248 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 6 days — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium — better | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | — | #106 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 104 MB | 140 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Map Life, LLC | GOLD DISCOVERY SOLUTIONS PTY LTD |
Customer experience
MineAR
Detector Maps
Bugs and requests
MineAR
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Detector Maps
Reported bugs
2 issues- Issues with subscription and login
- LiDAR not working in certain areas
Requested features
2 requests- Expand coverage to more areas
- Improve data accuracy and consistency
In-app purchases
MineAR
- Monthly Subscription7 Days trial$4.991 Month
- Yearly Subscription7 Days trial$49.991 Year
Detector Maps
- Monthly Explorer Plan$7.991 Month
- Monthly Plan$11.991 Month
- Yearly Explorer Plan$59.991 Year
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- Yearly Plan3 Days trial$99.991 Year









