# MineAR vs Backseat Geologist

The clearest difference is update cadence: Backseat Geologist at fortnightly against MineAR's every 3 months. Backseat Geologist also leads on ratings volume (83 vs 5). MineAR's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.7) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. MineAR sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Backseat Geologist sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 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: Backseat Geologist has 83 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two.

MineAR ships an update every 3 months, Backseat Geologist fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | MineAR | Backseat Geologist |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/minear-augmented-reality-map/id1412905489/reviews)** | [4.7 (83 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backseat-geologist/id6746209605/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 5 | **83** |
| Positive reviews | — | 92.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 104 MB | 49 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Map Life, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1108578270) | [Blake Morgan](https://appshunter.io/developer/1815745960) |

## What reviewers say

### MineAR

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/minear-augmented-reality-map/id1412905489)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $4.99 | per month |
| Yearly Subscription | $49.99 | per year |


### Backseat Geologist

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backseat-geologist/id6746209605)

This app provides audio explanations of the geology visible from your car. Explore geological features, create custom routes, and learn about earth history on the go. Offline access and adjustable audience settings enhance the learning experience.

**Highlights:** Audio descriptions of geology, Interactive geologic map, Custom route creation, Offline map and data access, Adjustable audience settings, Points of Interest (volcanoes, earthquakes), Background audio playback

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Monthly | $1.99 | per month |
| Max Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Premium Annual | $17.99 | per year |
| Max Annual | $39.99 | per year |
| Colorado I-70 Route Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Seward Highway | $4.99 | one-time |
| Moab Utah Route Pack | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is MineAR free?

MineAR is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Backseat Geologist free?

Backseat Geologist is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, MineAR or Backseat Geologist?

MineAR is rated higher. MineAR averages 5.0 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while Backseat Geologist averages 4.7 from 83 ratings.

### Do MineAR or Backseat Geologist have ads?

Neither MineAR nor Backseat Geologist shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, MineAR or Backseat Geologist?

MineAR ships an update every 3 months, and Backseat Geologist fortnightly. Most recently, MineAR was updated on October 10, 2026 and Backseat Geologist on October 30, 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.*