# Stud Finder® vs Stud Finder

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 (monthly 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.

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.

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.

Stud Finder® ships an update monthly, Stud Finder every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 10, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Stud Finder® | Stud Finder |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (23K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stud-finder/id1484289588/reviews) | **[4.5 (533 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stud-finder-metal-detector/id1667287490/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **23K** | 533 |
| Positive reviews | 7.8% of reviews | **35.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 34 MB | 49 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 16.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Tue Nguyen Minh](https://appshunter.io/developer/434811167) | [Andrei Nemtsou](https://appshunter.io/developer/1612416096) |

## What reviewers say

### Stud Finder®

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stud-finder/id1484289588)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Stud Finder Pro (Weekly) | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Stud Finder Pro (Yearly) | $9.99 | per year |
| Pro Features | $1.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- Ability to detect wooden studs
- Longer free trial period
- More intuitive user interface


### Stud Finder

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stud-finder-metal-detector/id1667287490)

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

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Weekly | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Welcome One-Time Offer | $4.99 | per month |
| Welcome One-Time Offer | $5.99 | per month |
| Premium Monthly | $7.99 | per month |
| Premium Annual | $9.99 | per year |
| Premium Annual | $19.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Premium | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- Specify compatible iPhone models
- Clearer cancellation process for subscriptions


## Frequently asked 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 monthly, and Stud Finder every 2 months. Most recently, Stud Finder® was updated on November 10, 2026 and Stud Finder on November 7, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*