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

This utility app helps locate studs and metal behind walls using magnetic field detection. It also provides a precision level tool for accurate alignment and angle measurements, ideal for home improvement and professional projects.

Highlights
  • Magnetic stud and metal detection
  • Precision level tool
  • Angle measurement
  • Intuitive interface
  • Accurate results
  • Multiple utilities in one app
Features
Read full description

Stud Finder, AR Wall & Level Tool Find studs quickly and accurately using your phone. StudSpotter turns your device into a powerful stud finder, level, and wall planning tool. Whether you're mounting a TV, hanging shelves, installing cabinets, or tackling DIY projects, you'll have the tools you need to work with confidence. ## STUD FINDER Locate metal and studs hidden behind walls using your device's magnetic sensors. • Detect changes in the magnetic field in real time • Identify safe mounting locations • Easy-to-read gauge and simple calibration • Designed for home improvement and DIY projects ## AR WALL MODE Plan your wall with augmented reality. After locating a stud, mark it in AR and choose the stud spacing and width. StudSpotter will visualize where the remaining studs should be, helping you plan installations with greater confidence. Perfect for: • TV mounting • Shelves and cabinets • Wall panels • Home renovation projects ## PRECISION LEVEL Achieve accurate alignment with the built-in level tool. • Measure angles precisely • Level pictures, shelves, and appliances • Great for woodworking and construction projects ## WHY STUDSPOTTER? Simple and intuitive design Fast and accurate measurements Multiple tools in one app Designed for DIYers, homeowners, and professionals ## PERFECT FOR • Home improvement projects • Hanging pictures and shelves • TV mounting • Carpentry and woodworking • Installing cabinets • Construction and remodeling • Everyday leveling tasks Download StudSpotter today and bring precision to every project.

Screenshots

Stud Finder®4 screens
Stud Finder4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Stud Finder® at 4.4 against Stud Finder's 3.9. Stud Finder® also leads on ratings volume (23K vs 7) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.6). Stud Finder's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and update cadence (every 11 days vs every 5 weeks). On price, review sentiment, 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. Stud Finder® sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days and Stud Finder sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Stud Finder® holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Stud Finder® has 23K ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 8% of Stud Finder®'s written reviews are positive against 0% of Stud Finder's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Stud Finder® ships an update every 5 weeks, Stud Finder every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Stud Finder® versus Stud Finder: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStud Finder®Stud Finder
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (23K ratings) — better3.9 (7 ratings)
Positive reviews7.9% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings23K — better7
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksEvery 11 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.1 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size24 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTue Nguyen MinhLimeLime Labs LLC

Customer experience

Stud Finder®

All ratings22,984 ratings
Positive84.0%
Neutral4.1%
Negative12.0%
Written reviews292 reviews
Positive7.9%
Neutral1.4%
Negative90.8%

Stud Finder

All ratings7 ratings
Positive71.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative28.6%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

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

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Stud Finder®

Subscriptions1
  • Stud Finder Pro (Weekly)3 Days trial$1.997 Days
One-time1
  • Pro Features$1.99
1 purchases

Stud Finder

One-time1
  • Unlock Pro$0.99

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 3.9 from 7 ratings.
Do Stud Finder® or Stud Finder have ads?
Neither Stud Finder® nor Stud Finder shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Stud Finder® or Stud Finder?
Stud Finder® ships an update every 5 weeks, and Stud Finder every 11 days. Most recently, Stud Finder® was updated on October 22, 2026 and Stud Finder on October 2, 2026.

Other comparisons