# Decypher vs Fossil Identifier

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Decypher at none against Fossil Identifier's 3. Decypher also leads on ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (100% vs 69%). Fossil Identifier's advantage is device support (3 vs 1). On price and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Fossil Identifier sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Decypher asks for nothing beyond the download.

Decypher ships an update daily, Fossil Identifier every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Decypher | Fossil Identifier |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[4.4 (160 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fossil-identifier/id6741797961/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **160** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 68.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Daily** | Every 4 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 69 MB | 67 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [New Material, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1683570887) | [Sinh Nguyen Mai](https://appshunter.io/developer/1609742850) |

## What reviewers say

### Decypher

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/decypher/id6448763995)

Explore the history and significance of UK post boxes and street furniture. This app uses your camera and AI to identify and provide information about these everyday objects.

**Highlights:** AI-powered identification, Learn about post box history, Discover street furniture details, Uses device camera, UK-focused content

**In-app purchases:** none


### Fossil Identifier

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fossil-identifier/id6741797961)

Instantly identify fossils from a photo using advanced AI. Get detailed insights into species, age, rarity, and more. Explore a vast database of prehistoric discoveries, perfect for enthusiasts and professionals alike.

**Highlights:** Instant AI identification from photos, Detailed fossil insights (classification, age, rarity), Vast fossil database access, Educational and user-friendly interface, Explore prehistoric world

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Weekly | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Premium Yearly | $39.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Instant fossil identification
- 📚 Detailed and informative insights
- 🏫 Excellent educational tool for beginners
- 🔍 Helpful for paleontology enthusiasts

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive subscription fees
- 🤖 Inconsistent AI identification
- 🔒 Concerns about data privacy and security
- ❌ Doesn't work as expected

**Reported bugs**

- Error messages on every submission
- Unexpected charges on payment method

**Requested features**

- Add a free sign-up option
- Reduce the subscription cost
- Improve the accuracy of fossil identification


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Decypher free?

Decypher is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Fossil Identifier free?

Fossil Identifier is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Decypher or Fossil Identifier have ads?

Fossil Identifier shows ads; Decypher does not.

### Which is updated more often, Decypher or Fossil Identifier?

Decypher ships an update daily, and Fossil Identifier every 4 weeks. Most recently, Decypher was updated on November 3, 2026 and Fossil Identifier on October 30, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*