Comparison

Rock Mapper vs GIM Essentials

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

Head to head
About

Rock Mapper

This app enables detailed 3D scanning and mapping of rock faces using LiDAR and augmented reality. It offers tools for geological assessment, grade control, and automated report generation, integrating seamlessly with industry-standard software.

Highlights
  • 3D LiDAR scanning
  • Augmented Reality visualization
  • Georeferenced photography
  • Customizable annotation layers
  • Rock mass assessment tools
  • Automated PDF reporting
  • Cloud synchronization
Read full description

Rock Mapper is packed with powerful features: - 3D LIDAR SCANNING*: Generate photorealistic 3D models of rock faces & drives directly in the field using an iPad Pro. - AUGMENTED REALITY*: Share & re-visit photorealistic LiDAR scans in Augmented Reality on any modern iOS device. - PHOTOGRAPHY*: Take rock face photographs with the iPad's built-in camera. Rock Mapper takes care of all settings. - GEOREFERENCING*: Register rock face photographs and 3D LiDAR scans using survey points or drive direction laser stations. - MAPPING*: Directly map onto rock face photographs & 3D LiDAR scans using fully customisable annotation layers. - GRADE CONTROL*: Record face samples & sampling domains by directly drawing onto the rock face photograph or 3D LiDAR scan. - ROCK MASS ASSESSMENT*: Access dedicated tools for Q System (after Barton et al 1974) and RMR (after Bieniawski 1989). - REPORTING*: Auto-generated mapping reports, geotechnical reports & sampling reports saved as PDFs & ready to share. - CLOUD SYNC*: All data immediately available in ready-to-use formats on the Rock Mapper Cloud. - COMPATIBILITY: All data supplied in open, industry-standard formats that seamlessly integrate with 3D modelling platforms and database solutions, including Vulcan, Micromine, Leapfrog, Deswik, Surpac, Datamine, acQuire and MAXGEO datashed. *Only available with subscription Our clients around the globe love the data consistency, data fidelity, ease of use and time savings enabled by Rock Mapper.  Lift your geological/geotechnical mapping & grade control workflow to a whole new level. Become a Rock Mapper today.

About

GIM Essentials

Read full description

GIM Essentials is built for easy and accurate geological data management. Simply login using your GIM Essentials credentials and synchronise your data capture forms to start collecting data. Rapidly log and capture sample data for a range of drilling methods including diamond core, RC, AC and RAB, in an easy-to-use interface. Validation rules are applied at the point of capture so no matter what environment you’re working in, you can manage data correctly from the get-go. Data captured offline and in the field can then synchronise back to your GIM Essentials database with the tap of a finger, so your entire crew can work from one source of truth. The GIM Essentials app can be used on smart phones or tablets, giving you the freedom to choose your preferred device when working in offline or remote environments. Get the groundwork right on your geological data with the GIM Essentials app. Please note: This app requires active GIM Essentials licensing to operate.

Screenshots

GIM Essentials3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Rock Mapper at every 5 days against GIM Essentials's every 2 months. GIM Essentials's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 26.0). On price, ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Rock Mapper ships an update every 5 days, GIM Essentials every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on July 7, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
Rock Mapper versus GIM Essentials: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRock MapperGIM Essentials
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS26.011.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size88 MB33 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperStefan VollggerACQUIRE TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS PTY LTD

In-app purchases

None

Rock Mapper

No in-app purchases

None

GIM Essentials

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Rock Mapper free?
Rock Mapper is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is GIM Essentials free?
GIM Essentials is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Rock Mapper or GIM Essentials have ads?
Neither Rock Mapper nor GIM Essentials shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Rock Mapper or GIM Essentials?
Rock Mapper ships an update every 5 days, and GIM Essentials every 2 months. Most recently, Rock Mapper was updated on July 7, 2026 and GIM Essentials on September 15, 2026.

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