MineAR vs Rockhounding.org
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
Rockhounding.org
Discover over 52,000 rock collecting sites across North America with an interactive map. Log your finds, connect with other collectors, and access detailed land information. Offline maps ensure you can explore even without a signal.
- 52,000+ collecting sites
- Interactive map
- Offline map functionality
- Site details and filters
- Logbook and collection builder
- Community forum and marketplace
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Every place people collect rocks, minerals, gems and fossils in the United States and Canada, on one map you can carry into the field. Rockhounding.org is the largest free rockhounding map there is, and this is it as an app. Find a site. Open the map and see what is near you, or search by name, county, state or mineral. Every site has what is found there, how to get in, what to bring, the land it sits on and what other collectors have logged. Filter to verified sites, fossils, paid digs, mineral occurrences or community submissions. Know the ground you are standing on. Members see BLM, Forest Service, state and tribal land under the map, active mining claims with the holder's name, and Canadian protected areas where collecting is prohibited. Long-press anywhere to drop a private pin. Take it offline. Save an area and its sites once, then use the map with no signal. Field sites rarely have coverage. Keep a logbook. Record visits and finds with photos, build your collection and see it on the map. Share a find with the community, or keep it private. Talk to other collectors. Photo gallery, forum, club directory and a calendar of shows, digs and meetings. Buy and sell specimens and gear in the marketplace. The app is free with ads. Supporter ($14.99 per year) removes ads and adds the trip planner. Pro ($59.99 per year) adds satellite, topo and LiDAR layers, land status, mining claims and offline areas. A rockhounding.org membership bought on the website works in the app, and one bought in the app works on the website. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Terms of Service: https://rockhounding.org/terms Privacy Policy: https://rockhounding.org/privacy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: MineAR at none against Rockhounding.org's shown. MineAR also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.1). Rockhounding.org's advantage is update cadence (every 11 days vs every 3 months). On price, rating, ratings volume and in-app purchases 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 Rockhounding.org sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for MineAR against 5.0 for Rockhounding.org. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 4 respectively.
MineAR ships an update every 3 months, Rockhounding.org every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | MineAR | Rockhounding.org |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (5 ratings) | 5.0 (4 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 5 — better | 4 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 11 days — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 104 MB | 77 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Map Life, LLC | Rockhounding Inc |
Customer experience
MineAR
Rockhounding.org
In-app purchases
MineAR
- Monthly Subscription7 Days trial$4.991 Month
- Yearly Subscription7 Days trial$49.991 Year
Rockhounding.org
- Supporter$14.991 Year
- Pro$59.991 Year









