Comparison

SoilWeb vs DeepTime for Geology

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

SoilWeb

Access detailed soil survey information based on your current location. View soil profile sketches, estimated proportions, and geomorphic positions. Get aggregate data like water holding capacity and links to official soil descriptions.

Highlights
  • Soil profile sketches and geomorphic position
  • Map unit aggregate data (e.g., water holding capacity)
  • Soil survey area scale and publication date
  • Detailed component soil properties and ratings
  • Links to Official Series Descriptions (OSDs)
  • Location accuracy and auto-refresh settings
Features
Read full description

The SoilWeb for iOS application accesses soil survey information (the SSURGO dataset, published by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service) at your current location. This app was designed to be a lightweight version of the SoilWeb GMap web application. SoilWeb GMap features an interactive map for viewing and querying individual map units, while this app does not. However, SoilWeb for iOS conveniently provides a link to the SoilWeb GMap web app. SoilWeb GMap is available at https://casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/gmap/ More information about SSURGO is available at https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/survey/geo/?cid=nrcs142p2_053627 Features of SoilWeb for iOS include: - Soil profile sketches, estimated proportions, and geomorphic position of soil components associated with the SSURGO "map unit" identified at your current location. - Map unit aggregate data such as estimated water holding capacity. - Soil survey area scale and publication date. - Component details: soil taxonomy, soil property depth profiles, land classification ratings, hydraulic and erosion ratings, forest productivity, soil suitability ratings. - Links to Official Series Descriptions (OSDs) generated automatically. - Component links to related web apps: Series Extent Explorer (SEE) and Soil Data Explorer (SDE). - Link to the SoilWeb GMap web application at your current location. - Location accuracy setting allows you to select between standard accuracy (less accurate, uses less battery power) and high accuracy (more accurate, but may use more battery power). - Location auto-refresh feature allows you to continually look up soil data at a specified time interval.

About

DeepTime for Geology

Explore an interactive geological time scale with detailed information on each unit, including GSSP definitions and color codes. Search for terms and view GSSPs on a global map. Ideal for geologists, students, and Earth history enthusiasts.

Highlights
  • Interactive geological time scale
  • Detailed GSSP definitions
  • CMYK and RGB color codes
  • Searchable by name or age
  • Global GSSP map integration
  • Tips for using time terms
Features
Read full description

DeepTime puts geological time at your fingertips. DeepTime is a full interactive version of the latest geological time scale: tap on any time unit to see more detail about it, including how its GSSP (golden spike) is defined. It even has the CMYK and RGB color codes for every time unit, great for when you need to have the right color for a map or chart. Even more, it is completely searchable by name or age. Come across an unfamiliar time term in an older paper? Search for it, and you'll see how it relates to the modern time scale.  What's more is that all the GSSPs (the golden spikes) are shown on a gorgeous geological map of the world (courtesy of macrostrat.org), which shows their context in stunning detail. Tips for using time terms are also included with simple examples. Whether you are a geologist, a student, a science writer, or just a fan of Earth history, DeepTime will become your go-to resource for understanding geological time.

Screenshots

SoilWeb4 screens
DeepTime for Geology3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: DeepTime for Geology at 5.0 against SoilWeb's 3.6. DeepTime for Geology also leads on review sentiment (80% vs 47%) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 8 months). SoilWeb's advantage is iOS requirement (9.0 vs 26.0). On price, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

DeepTime for Geology holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 15 and 7 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 47% of SoilWeb's written reviews are positive against 80% of DeepTime for Geology's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SoilWeb ships an update every 8 months, DeepTime for Geology every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
SoilWeb versus DeepTime for Geology: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSoilWebDeepTime for Geology
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.6 (15 ratings)5.0 (7 ratings) — better
Positive reviews47.0% of reviews80.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings15 — better7
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS9.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperUniversity of California, DavisHunt Mountain Software

Customer experience

SoilWeb

All ratings14 ratings
Positive57.1%
Neutral7.1%
Negative35.7%
Written reviews66 reviews
Positive47.0%
Neutral21.2%
Negative31.8%

DeepTime for Geology

All ratings7 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

SoilWeb

Reported bugs

9 issues
  • App crashes on opening
  • App doesn't open
  • App not compatible with iOS 11/14
  • Map gives soil data for wrong area
  • Soil series name font color is white, hard to read
Show 4 more
  • OSD links do not always work
  • Broken links
  • App not functional for updated Apple platforms
  • Response Error: 502 Bad Gateway

Requested features

8 requests
  • Allow "view map" feature like desktop version
  • Change soil series font color
  • Add map view for nearby soil types
  • Allow manual input of locations
  • Data export options
Show 3 more
  • iPad version
  • Log data points and notes on iPad
  • Print reports from iPad app

DeepTime for Geology

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

SoilWeb

No in-app purchases

None

DeepTime for Geology

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SoilWeb free?
SoilWeb is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is DeepTime for Geology free?
DeepTime for Geology is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SoilWeb or DeepTime for Geology?
DeepTime for Geology is rated higher. SoilWeb averages 3.6 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while DeepTime for Geology averages 5.0 from 7 ratings.
Do SoilWeb or DeepTime for Geology have ads?
Neither SoilWeb nor DeepTime for Geology shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SoilWeb or DeepTime for Geology?
SoilWeb ships an update every 8 months, and DeepTime for Geology every 3 months. Most recently, SoilWeb was updated on October 27, 2026 and DeepTime for Geology on October 24, 2026.

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