Comparison

Digger's Map vs Detector Maps

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

Head to head
About

Digger's Map

Discover locations of gold, silver, gemstones, and other minerals with a vast global database. This tool provides detailed information and powerful search capabilities for enthusiasts and prospectors.

Highlights
  • Global mineral database
  • 300,000+ locations
  • 60+ minerals listed
  • Offline database access
  • Location search and filtering
  • Add to Favorites
Features
Read full description

# Interested in geology and minerals? Would like to know where gold, silver and gemstone mines are? # Our unique app offers a massive global database with more than 300,000 locations and 60+ minerals! # Download Digger's Map, get your hammer and boots and start prospecting today!!! Digger's Map is a unique app which allows users to find natural resources locations and view them on a map. It provides access to additional information and includes a powerful location search. ===================================== How will you benefit from the app? ===================================== # If you're a gem/mineral enthusiast this is the app for you. The app offers information on countless operating plants, historic mining sites and other locations. Our app is used by thousands of prospectors and rockhounds. Do not stay behind! Get Digger's Map app and use the latest technology to learn about minerals and natural resources! # The database features more than 60 minerals (FREE or available via in-app-purchase) including: - Coal - Copper - Gold - Gemstones - Iron - Marble - Platinum - Silver - Quartz - Titanium - Tungsten # The app includes a global database with more than 300,000 locations. The database is stored on your device, even if you do not have a reception, you can still search for locations. # iPad, iPhone 5 and iPhone 6 support. We made sure our app works on all iOS devices. If you are experiencing problems with the app, please let us know - we are always happy to help. # Easy to use and powerful. The app not only displays the locations on the map, but also allows searching them by a name or filtering them by a development status. If you are looking for a particular location you can easily find it in the database. # Add locations to your Favorites, to come back to them later. # Translated to Chinese, French, German, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. # We listen to our users and keep adding more features. If you have good suggestions please let us know. ===================================== Prospecting becomes too easy with Digger's Map! Download the app and try your luck today!!! =====================================

About

Detector Maps

This app provides advanced geological data and GPS tools for gold prospecting in Australia, the US, and New Zealand. It offers offline map access, breadcrumb tracking, and waypoint marking to help users explore efficiently and locate potential gold-bearing areas.

Highlights
  • Advanced geological and gold-focused data
  • Offline map and data layer downloads
  • Breadcrumb trail tracking (background GPS)
  • Waypoint marking with field notes
  • Real-time GPS navigation
  • Historic gold mines and workings layers
Features
Read full description

Detector Maps is the field tool that keeps you on the gold - and on the relics. Built by geologists for prospectors, relic hunters and metal detectorists across the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, it pairs geological data and historical maps with rock-solid GPS so you spend your time on high-potential ground, not guessing. Whether you are swinging a detector for gold nuggets, coin shooting an old homestead, hunting Civil War relics or panning a creek, it puts serious research intelligence in your pocket - and it works offline, where the finds actually are. COIN & RELIC HUNTING - NATIONWIDE Research old towns, ghost towns, homesteads, schoolhouses and long-forgotten gathering places - the ground where old coins, buttons, buckles and relics are still waiting. - Historical map overlays: hunt the buildings, roads and fields the modern map forgot - Historic USGS Topo maps, coast to coast - LiDAR that reveals cellar holes, old roads and house sites hiding under the trees - Plan permissions with confidence before you knock GOLD PROSPECTING - 15 STATES Serious geology for nugget hunting, from California to the Carolinas. Detect where gold has already been found, then find what the old-timers missed. - Historic gold mines, diggings and workings - proven gold ground - Surface geochemistry with pathfinder-element filtering - Current and expired mining claims, updated every weekday - 1-metre LiDAR hillshade that reveals old workings worth a closer swing DETECTOR ACADEMY A built-in crash course: 34 short video lessons, most under a minute - layers, LiDAR, waypoints, trails, offline maps and Pro tools. DETECTOR GRIDS Plan complete, methodical coverage of a site with adjustable search lanes you follow while recording your trail - never grid the same ground twice. BREADCRUMB TRAIL TRACKING (BACKGROUND GPS) Record your exact trail even with the app in the background or the screen off. See where you have walked and save paths for the next trip. WHY WE REQUEST "ALLOW ALL THE TIME" LOCATION ACCESS Detector Maps only uses background location when you switch breadcrumb tracking ON, keeping an unbroken log while your phone is idle. Disable it anytime in the app or device settings. WAYPOINT MARKING AND FIND LOGGING Drop waypoints on coins, relics, gold finds and old workings. Add names, notes and photos, then sync securely between your phone and the web app so your finds are never lost. REAL-TIME GPS NAVIGATION Watch boundaries, geology, historical maps and terrain update around you as you move - a GPS built for prospecting, coin shooting and relic hunting. COVERAGE USA COIN & RELIC: Nationwide USA GOLD: CA, AL, NC, AZ, NV, ID, OR, UT, CO, MT, WA, SC, VA, GA, NM AUSTRALIA: QLD, NSW, VIC, WA, SA, TAS, NT NEW ZEALAND: historic goldfields, geology and offline maps CANADA: British Columbia SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION All plans include every map, standard data layers, offline downloads, and access to Australia, USA, New Zealand, Canada (BC) and the UK. USA Pricing - Explorer Monthly: $7.99 USD; Explorer Yearly: $59.99; Pro Monthly: $11.99 USD; Pro Yearly: $99.99 USD. Payment is charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel anytime in your App Store account settings. Pricing may vary by region. PRIVACY AND DATA Your location, trails and waypoints are used only for core app functionality. Delete your account anytime: Profile > Delete Account > type "confirm" > tap Delete. Privacy Policy: https://app.detectormaps.com/privacy-policy Terms of Use (EULA): https://app.detectormaps.com/license-agreement Whether you swing a GPX 6000, an Equinox, a Manticore, a Deus or a Gold Monster - or a sluice or a pan - Detector Maps helps you cover more ground, log your best finds, and read productive terrain like a professional.

Screenshots

Digger's Map4 screens
Detector Maps4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Digger's Map at free with in-app purchases against Detector Maps's subscription. Digger's Map also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 15.1). Detector Maps's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs every 2 months) and chart position (#114 vs unranked). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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. Digger's Map sells 21 one-off in-app purchases and Detector Maps sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. 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 — 4.6 for Digger's Map against 4.7 for Detector Maps. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 501 and 246 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 77% of Digger's Map's written reviews are positive against 73% of Detector Maps's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Digger's Map ships an update every 2 months, Detector Maps every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Digger's Map versus Detector Maps: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDigger's MapDetector Maps
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (501 ratings)4.7 (246 ratings) — better
Positive reviews77.4% of reviews — better73.2% of reviews
Number of ratings501 — better246
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 6 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
Best chart rank—#114 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS10.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size122 MB129 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSlava BaroulineGOLD DISCOVERY SOLUTIONS PTY LTD

Customer experience

Digger's Map

All ratings501 ratings
Positive89.8%
Neutral4.2%
Negative6.0%
Written reviews137 reviews
Positive77.4%
Neutral3.6%
Negative19.0%

Detector Maps

All ratings246 ratings
Positive93.1%
Neutral1.6%
Negative5.3%
Written reviews71 reviews
Positive73.2%
Neutral2.8%
Negative23.9%

User reviews

Digger's Map

From 501 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Useful for finding mineral locations
  • 👍 Informative and detailed
  • 🗺️ Helpful for research and planning
  • 💻 Easy to use interface
  • 🔍 Accurate data on mines and deposits

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes or freezes
  • 🌐 Limited coverage in certain regions
  • 💰 Some features require paid subscription
  • 🗺️ Inaccurate or outdated location data in some areas
  • 🔍 Lacking comprehensive mineral/gem information

Detector Maps

From 246 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Good maps
  • 👍 Extremely handy
  • 👍 Helpful information
  • 👍 Excellent app
  • 👍 Fantastic app

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Missing areas
  • 🐛 Discrepancies in data
  • 🐛 LiDAR not working
  • 🔒 Subscription issues

Bugs and requests

Digger's Map

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Login screen issues
  • Compatibility problems with older devices
  • Disappearing map icons or data
  • Errors when trying to access mine details

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add more mineral and gem types
  • Improve map functionality with layers and filters
  • Allow users to add their own location data
  • Provide more detailed information on mine access and ownership
  • Integrate with other outdoor/exploration apps

Detector Maps

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Issues with subscription and login
  • LiDAR not working in certain areas

Requested features

2 requests
  • Expand coverage to more areas
  • Improve data accuracy and consistency

In-app purchases

21 purchases

Digger's Map

One-time21
  • Stone Dataset$0.99
  • Tungsten Dataset$0.99
  • Bismuth Dataset$0.99
Show 18 more
  • Digger's Map Ad Free$0.99
  • Quartz Dataset$0.99
  • Pyrite Dataset$0.99
  • Coal Dataset$0.99
  • Copper Dataset$0.99
  • Iron Dataset$0.99
  • Beryllium Dataset$0.99
  • Limestone Dataset$0.99
  • Titanium Dataset$0.99
  • Manganese Dataset$0.99
  • Marble Dataset$0.99
  • Granite Dataset$0.99
  • Zirconium Dataset$0.99
  • Lithium Dataset$0.99
  • Gold Dataset$1.99
  • Gemstones Dataset$1.99
  • Bonus Pack$3.99
  • Mega Pack$19.99
4 purchases

Detector Maps

Subscriptions4
  • Monthly Explorer Plan$7.991 Month
  • Monthly Plan$11.991 Month
  • Yearly Explorer Plan$59.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Yearly Plan3 Days trial$99.991 Year

Questions

Is Digger's Map free?
Digger's Map is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Detector Maps free?
Detector Maps is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Digger's Map or Detector Maps?
Detector Maps is rated higher. Digger's Map averages 4.6 out of 5 from 501 ratings, while Detector Maps averages 4.7 from 246 ratings.
Do Digger's Map or Detector Maps have ads?
Detector Maps shows ads; Digger's Map does not.
Which is updated more often, Digger's Map or Detector Maps?
Digger's Map ships an update every 2 months, and Detector Maps every 6 days. Most recently, Digger's Map was updated on September 24, 2026 and Detector Maps on September 20, 2026.

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