Comparison

Stud Finder vs Metal Detector

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 app detects metal objects by measuring magnetic field strength using your device's sensor. It can help locate hidden wires, pipes, screws, and act as a stud finder. Explore its practical uses or enjoy it for entertainment.

Highlights
  • Magnetic field detection
  • Metal object location
  • Stud finding capability
  • Electrical wiring detection
  • Pipe location
  • Entertainment use cases
Features
Read full description

Stud Finder turns your iPhone into a wall scanner and metal detector using the built-in magnetometer. Move your phone along a wall to spot studs, nails, screws, wiring, and other nearby metal by watching live magnetic field readings in microtesla (μT). Under normal conditions Earth’s magnetic field is about 49 μT (490 mG). When metal is close, readings rise — so you can find hidden fasteners in drywall and scan for pipes or metal debris. KEY FEATURES • Live magnetic field meter (μT / mG) • Stud finder for nails and screws behind walls • Metal and EMF-style magnetic scanning • Simple, real-time feedback for DIY and repairs BEST FOR • Hanging shelves, TVs, and frames on studs • Locating metal fasteners behind drywall • Checking for wiring or metal before drilling • Quick magnetic field checks around the home Tips: remove thick cases for better sensor accuracy. Results depend on your device’s magnetometer and wall construction. Non-magnetic metals such as pure gold, silver, or copper usually will not register; magnetic alloys may. Auto-Renewable Subscription Terms: • Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase. • Subscription renews automatically unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. • Your account is charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. • Manage or cancel in App Store Account Settings. Terms: https://sunshine-dev.com/?page_id=98

About

Metal Detector

This app uses your phone's magnetic sensor to detect nearby metal objects like keys, coins, or wires within walls. It also includes a suite of useful virtual tools such as a tape measure, ruler, protractor, and level.

Highlights
  • Metal detection
  • Virtual tape measure
  • Protractor
  • Ruler
  • Level tool
Features
Read full description

Metal Detector is an app that will become indispensable in finding metal objects nearby: lost keys, coins, wires in walls, etc. The app detects metal objects by measuring the magnetic field level as it gets closer or farther from magnetic metals (e.g, iron, nickel, steel and alloys). A magnetic field is measured with the magnetic sensor built into your smartphone. Please note that the app will not detect silver, gold and copper coins since they have no magnetic field. The app also has a set of basic tools including a virtual tape measure, ruler, protractor and level tool. KEY FEATURES: • Metal detector; • Virtual tape measure; • Protractor; • Ruler; • Level tool. Please choose from our standard subscription options below: 1-week subscription from $0.99; 1-month subscription from $2.99; 12-month subscription from $5.99. Prices may change depending on your country. Privacy Policy: https://appliks.com/privacy-policy ​​Terms of Use: https://appliks.com/terms-of-use

Screenshots

Stud Finder3 screens
Metal Detector3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Stud Finder at free with in-app purchases against Metal Detector's subscription. Stud Finder also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (monthly vs every 7 months). Metal Detector's advantage is ratings volume (415 vs 46). On price, rating 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 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per year and Metal Detector sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 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 — 4.5 for Stud Finder against 4.6 for Metal Detector. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Metal Detector has 415 ratings behind it against 46, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Stud Finder ships an update monthly, Metal Detector every 7 months. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Stud Finder versus Metal Detector: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStud FinderMetal Detector
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (46 ratings)4.6 (415 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—77.8% of reviews
Number of ratings46415 — better
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 7 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.6 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size37 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSunshine Software LabsAppLiks Sp. z O.O.

Customer experience

Stud Finder

All ratings42 ratings
Positive90.5%
Neutral2.4%
Negative7.1%

Metal Detector

All ratings414 ratings
Positive87.0%
Neutral4.8%
Negative8.2%
Written reviews18 reviews
Positive77.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative22.2%

Bugs and requests

Stud Finder

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Metal Detector

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App stops working after first day
  • App makes the same noise all over the wall
  • App fails to detect metal objects like keys or belt buckles

Requested features

1 request
  • Option to cancel subscription within the app

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Stud Finder

Subscriptions4
  • Get Premium Yearly Limited$9.991 Year
  • 3 Days Free Trial Weekly VIP3 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • 3 Day Free Trial then Get Premium3 Days trial$19.991 Month
Show 1 more
  • Annual VIP$49.991 Year
6 purchases

Metal Detector

Subscriptions6
  • Metal Detector Premium Pack7 Days trial$0.997 Days
  • Weekly Access$0.997 Days
  • Metal Detector: Pro Version7 Days trial$2.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • Monthly Access$2.991 Month
  • Metal Detector PRO7 Days trial$5.991 Year
  • Yearly Access$5.991 Year

Questions

Is Stud Finder free?
Stud Finder is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Metal Detector free?
Metal Detector is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Stud Finder or Metal Detector?
Metal Detector is rated higher. Stud Finder averages 4.5 out of 5 from 46 ratings, while Metal Detector averages 4.6 from 415 ratings.
Do Stud Finder or Metal Detector have ads?
Metal Detector shows ads; Stud Finder does not.
Which is updated more often, Stud Finder or Metal Detector?
Stud Finder ships an update monthly, and Metal Detector every 7 months. Most recently, Stud Finder was updated on November 3, 2026 and Metal Detector on November 3, 2026.

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