Stud Finder® vs Stud Finder Detector
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Detect metal studs
- Uses magnetometer
- Measures magnetic field
- Indicator for metal proximity
- Instructions for accuracy
Read full descriptionHide 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/
Stud Finder Detector
Easily locate wall studs for home improvement projects. This app uses your iPhone to quickly and accurately detect studs, eliminating guesswork for mounting TVs, shelves, or artwork. It's designed for both DIY enthusiasts and experienced users.
- Instant stud detection
- Highly accurate results
- Ideal for DIY projects
- No extra hardware required
- User-friendly interface
Read full descriptionHide full description
Stud Finder – Fast, Accurate Wall Stud Detection Stud Finder is your go-to app for quick and precise wall stud detection. Whether you’re mounting a TV, hanging shelves, or tackling a home DIY project, this powerful tool helps you locate wall studs in seconds—no guesswork, no hassle. Why choose Stud Finder? – Instant Detection – Quickly find wall studs with a single tap – Highly Accurate – Advanced technology ensures reliable results – Perfect for DIY Projects – Mount TVs, shelves, or artwork with confidence – No Extra Hardware Needed – Just use your iPhone—simple and convenient – User-Friendly Design – Clean, intuitive interface built for everyone From weekend DIYers to experienced handypeople, Stud Finder makes your projects easier, faster, and more precise. Download now and take the guesswork out of wall mounting. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: Stud Finder® at none against Stud Finder Detector's shown. Stud Finder® also leads on ratings volume (23K vs 721) and device support (3 vs 1). Stud Finder Detector's advantage is review sentiment (33% vs 8%) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 6 weeks). 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
Both are free to download. Stud Finder® sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days and Stud Finder Detector sells 2 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 4.4 for Stud Finder Detector. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Stud Finder® has 23K ratings behind it against 721, 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 33% of Stud Finder Detector's.
Stud Finder® ships an update every 6 weeks, Stud Finder Detector every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Stud Finder® | Stud Finder Detector |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (23K ratings) | 4.4 (721 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 7.9% of reviews | 33.3% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 23K — better | 721 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 18 MB | 8 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Tue Nguyen Minh | KARLIE ALEXIS KOWALSKA |
Customer experience
Stud Finder®
Stud Finder Detector
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 Detector
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Stud Finder®
- Stud Finder Pro (Weekly)3 Days trial$1.997 Days
- Pro Features$1.99
Stud Finder Detector
- Weekly$3.997 Days
- Pro$14.99
Questions
Is Stud Finder® free?
Is Stud Finder Detector free?
Which has better reviews, Stud Finder® or Stud Finder Detector?
Do Stud Finder® or Stud Finder Detector have ads?
Which is updated more often, Stud Finder® or Stud Finder Detector?
Other comparisons
