Comparison

Stud Finder® vs Stud Finder

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

Head to head
About

Stud Finder®

This utility app uses your iPhone's magnetometer to detect metal studs behind walls. Simply hold your device near the wall and observe the indicator for changes in the magnetic field. For best results, remove any external case from your phone.

Highlights
  • Detect metal studs
  • Uses magnetometer
  • Measures magnetic field
  • Indicator for metal proximity
  • Instructions for accuracy
Features
Read full description

Find the right spot. Mount with confidence. Turn your iPhone into a handy magnetic stud finder. Use your device’s built-in magnetic sensor to locate magnetic changes that may indicate screws, nails, or other ferrous metal behind a wall. Follow the needle, watch the live graph, and hear stronger signals as you scan. Try Pro with a 3-day free trial on the Weekly plan for eligible new subscribers. FEATURES • Unlimited Scanning (Pro Required) Scan without measurement time limits or interruptions. • Live Signal Gauge & Graph (Pro Required) See magnetic changes through a responsive needle and a live graph with X, Y, and Z readings. • Adjustable Sensitivity (Pro Required for Scanning) Fine-tune the detector’s response to suit your surroundings. • Sound & Haptic Detection (Pro Required) Keep your attention on the wall. Faster beeps and firmer haptic feedback help you follow stronger signals. Turn both off whenever you prefer. • Simple, Illustrated Instructions Learn how to prepare the sensor, scan steadily, and look for signal peaks with a three-step guide. • Flexible Viewing (Pro Required for Scanning) Scan in portrait or landscape, with layouts adapted for iPhone and iPad. START WITH A FREE TRIAL Explore Pro with a 3-day free trial on the Weekly subscription, subject to eligibility. Weekly and Yearly plans are available. Pricing and trial availability are shown before purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled before renewal through your App Store account settings. PLEASE NOTE Stud Finder detects magnetic field changes; it does not directly detect wood. Results depend on your device, distance, metal type, and nearby magnetic interference. Terms Of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Stud Finder

Easily detect metal objects like nails, screws, and wiring hidden within walls. Simply hold your phone against the surface and move it; the app will alert you with a beep and a visual indicator when metal is detected.

Highlights
  • Detects metal in walls
  • Finds nails, screws, wiring
  • Audible beep alert
  • Visual indicator
  • Easy to use
Read full description

Stud Finder - Metal Detector The app is used to find metal elements in the wall: nails, screws, wiring, etc. How it works: 1. Turn on the app 2. Place the back of your phone against a wall 3. Start moving the phone along the wall 4. If there is metal in the wall, you will hear a beep and the indicator on the phone will turn red It is important to know that the application may not work with older phone models Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula

Screenshots

Stud Finder®4 screens
Stud Finder4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Stud Finder® at none against Stud Finder's shown. Stud Finder® also leads on ratings volume (23K vs 533) and update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 2 months). Stud Finder's advantage is review sentiment (36% vs 8%). On price, rating, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Stud Finder® sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days and Stud Finder sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.4 for Stud Finder® against 4.5 for Stud Finder. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Stud Finder® has 23K ratings behind it against 533, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 8% of Stud Finder®'s written reviews are positive against 36% of Stud Finder's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Stud Finder® ships an update every 5 weeks, Stud Finder every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 9, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Stud Finder® versus Stud Finder: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStud Finder®Stud Finder
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (23K ratings)4.5 (533 ratings) — better
Positive reviews7.8% of reviews35.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings23K — better533
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.1 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size24 MB49 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTue Nguyen MinhAndrei Nemtsou

Customer experience

Stud Finder®

All ratings22,986 ratings
Positive84.0%
Neutral4.1%
Negative12.0%
Written reviews293 reviews
Positive7.8%
Neutral1.4%
Negative90.8%

Stud Finder

All ratings530 ratings
Positive86.2%
Neutral2.5%
Negative11.3%
Written reviews45 reviews
Positive35.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative64.4%

User reviews

Stud Finder®

From 23K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Accurately detects metal objects
  • 💡 Innovative use of phone sensors
  • 👍 Helpful for specific use cases

Room to improve

  • 🔒 Aggressive monetization with constant upgrade prompts
  • 🐛 Inconsistent and unreliable performance
  • 👎 Limited functionality in free version
  • 🕰️ Extremely short usage time before lockout

Stud Finder

From 533 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Works well for some users
  • 👍 Accurate for some users
  • 👍 Good tools
  • 👍 Very easy to use

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Does not work on various iPhone models
  • 🐛 Frequent non-functionality
  • 🐛 App is a scam
  • 🐛 Unwanted charges and subscriptions
  • 🐛 Full of advertisements

Bugs and requests

Stud Finder®

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Fails to detect known metal objects
  • Erratic behavior and constant beeping
  • Upgrade issues even after purchase

Requested features

3 requests
  • Ability to detect wooden studs
  • Longer free trial period
  • More intuitive user interface

Stud Finder

Reported bugs

9 issues
  • Doesn't work on iPhone 15
  • Doesn't work on iPhone 16 Pro Max
  • Doesn't work on iPhone 16
  • App shows 72 and beeps constantly
  • App doesn't detect studs even when held over them
Show 4 more
  • App only finds radiators, not electrical wires
  • App won't load, shows only ads
  • App tries to sell cryptocurrency
  • App only finds metal, not wood studs

Requested features

2 requests
  • Specify compatible iPhone models
  • Clearer cancellation process for subscriptions

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Stud Finder®

Subscriptions2
  • Stud Finder Pro (Weekly)3 Days trial$1.997 Days
  • Stud Finder Pro (Yearly)$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • Pro Features$1.99
7 purchases

Stud Finder

Subscriptions6
  • Premium Weekly$3.997 Days
  • Welcome One-Time Offer$4.991 Month
  • Welcome One-Time Offer$5.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • Premium Monthly$7.991 Month
  • Premium Annual$9.991 Year
  • Premium Annual$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Premium$19.99

Questions

Is Stud Finder® free?
Stud Finder® is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Stud Finder free?
Stud Finder is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Stud Finder® or Stud Finder?
Stud Finder is rated higher. Stud Finder® averages 4.4 out of 5 from 23K ratings, while Stud Finder averages 4.5 from 533 ratings.
Do Stud Finder® or Stud Finder have ads?
Stud Finder shows ads; Stud Finder® does not.
Which is updated more often, Stud Finder® or Stud Finder?
Stud Finder® ships an update every 5 weeks, and Stud Finder every 2 months. Most recently, Stud Finder® was updated on November 9, 2026 and Stud Finder on November 7, 2026.

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