Lightning Distance Calculator vs RDS
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Lightning Distance Calculator
This utility app estimates the distance to lightning strikes by measuring the time between seeing lightning and hearing thunder. It provides calculations in both meters and feet, with adjustable temperature settings for accuracy. Geotagging with GPS data is also included.
- Lightning and thunder time measurement
- Distance calculation in meters and feet
- Adjustable atmospheric temperature
- Geotagging with 3D GPS data
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"Lightning Distance Calculator" calculates the distance between the position of lightning and Your position. Pressing the button "Lightning" when you see the lightning and “Thunder” when you hear the thunder, the application will automatically calculate the distance in meters and feet. Useful to know the distance from Your position and the storm when You are away from home, for example during a hike or a trip. Features: - Calculation of the distance from lightning / thunderstorm in meters and feet - Adjustable atmospheric temperature for the accurate calculation of the distance - Geotagging using 3D GPS data (latitude, longitude, altitude)
RDS
This utility app connects to a radiation survey meter, displaying real-time data and allowing parameter adjustments. It also integrates with supervision services for enhanced monitoring.
- Connect to RDS-32 survey meter
- Display real-time device data
- Edit setpoints and parameters
- Connect to RadResponder
- Connect to Spirview Mobile
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The RDS-32 is the companion mobile app to the Mirion RDS-32 survey meter. It provides the ability to connect to and display relevant data from the device as well as edit setpoints and parameters on the device. It also provides the ability to connect to supervision services like RadResponder and Spirview Mobile.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: RDS at Free against Lightning Distance Calculator's $0.99. RDS also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.5) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 96 months). On ratings volume, 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
RDS is free to download; Lightning Distance Calculator costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
RDS holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 1 respectively.
Lightning Distance Calculator ships an update every 96 months, RDS every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Lightning Distance Calculator | RDS |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 3.5 (2 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 2 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 96 months | Every 3 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 7 MB | 49 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Gianluca Natalini | Mirion Technologies, Inc. |
Customer experience
Lightning Distance Calculator
RDS
In-app purchases
Lightning Distance Calculator
No in-app purchases
RDS
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Lightning Distance Calculator free?
Is RDS free?
Which has better reviews, Lightning Distance Calculator or RDS?
Do Lightning Distance Calculator or RDS have ads?
Which is updated more often, Lightning Distance Calculator or RDS?
Other comparisons
