Comparison

LandPKS Soil ID vs Soil Type Analyzer

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

Head to head
About

LandPKS Soil ID

This app helps identify soils in the field using global soil survey maps and guided data collection. It allows for offline use, project organization, and team collaboration. Data can be exported and is kept private.

Highlights
  • Soil matching from global map data
  • Guided data collection for soil properties
  • Offline data collection
  • Project and team organization
  • Data export and privacy controls
Features
Read full description

LandPKS Soil ID is a free mobile app that helps identify soils in the field. Create a site anywhere in the world and instantly see potential soils ranked from global soil survey maps. Collect observations using step-by-step guides to refine the ranking — no lab or internet connection required. Available in English, French, Spanish, Swahili, Ukrainian, and Georgian. Key Features: - Soil matching from global map data: Create a site and immediately see a ranked list of potential soils based on soil survey maps for that location. As site observations are entered, the ranking refines further by weighing similarity between observed properties and each potential soil. - Guided data collection: Step-by-step tools for slope, soil color, texture, rock fragments, surface cracks, and depth-by-depth soil profile observations. - Projects and teams: Create projects to organize sites, invite team members, and set standardized data collection requirements across locations. - Fully offline capable: Create sites and collect data without cell or internet service. Data syncs automatically when connectivity returns. - Data ownership and privacy: Control who can access site data. Export observations for use in other tools and reports. Who it's for: LandPKS Soil ID is used by agricultural consultants, soil scientists, extension agents, researchers, educators, government field staff, farmers, and ranchers — anyone who needs to identify or characterize soils on-site. It supports both solo fieldwork and coordinated data collection across organizations. Built on trusted partnerships: LandPKS is a long-running collaboration between government agencies, universities, and nonprofits dedicated to accessible soil science tools. Learn more at https://landpotential.org

About

Soil Type Analyzer

Features
Read full description

Soil Type Analyzer turns the classic mason jar test into a clear answer about the ground you garden, grow, or build on. Soil texture, the balance of sand, silt, and clay, shapes almost everything about how soil behaves: how fast it drains, how well it holds water and nutrients, how easily roots move through it, and which plants will thrive. Soil Type Analyzer helps you find that balance with a simple test you can do at home, no lab and no special equipment. How it works: Shake soil and water together in a clear jar and let it settle. The particles separate into layers, sand on the bottom, then silt, then clay on top. Those layer heights are your soil's texture. Two ways to measure: 1. Photo mode. Take a photo of the settled jar, then slide the on-screen level bars to match each layer. The percentages update as you drag. 2. Manual mode. Prefer a ruler? Enter each layer's thickness in centimeters or inches and let the app do the math. What you get: - Your soil texture class from the USDA system, shown right on the soil texture triangle. - Exact sand, silt, and clay percentages. - Clear, plain-language tips for improving your soil. - Guidance on the kinds of plants suited to your soil. - A built-in illustrated guide for prepping and running the jar test. - A reference chart of all twelve soil types with short descriptions. Private by design: Everything runs on your device. There is no account to create, no ads, and nothing is collected or uploaded. Your photos and measurements stay with you. Made for gardeners, growers, homesteaders, landscapers, students, and anyone curious about the soil beneath their feet.

Screenshots

LandPKS Soil ID4 screens
Soil Type Analyzer4 screens

Verdict

The call

LandPKS Soil ID and Soil Type Analyzer are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters — price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
LandPKS Soil ID versus Soil Type Analyzer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLandPKS Soil IDSoil Type Analyzer
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 months—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.4 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size89 MB1 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperTech MattersSnowcha Design LLC

In-app purchases

None

LandPKS Soil ID

No in-app purchases

None

Soil Type Analyzer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is LandPKS Soil ID free?
LandPKS Soil ID is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Soil Type Analyzer free?
Soil Type Analyzer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do LandPKS Soil ID or Soil Type Analyzer have ads?
Neither LandPKS Soil ID nor Soil Type Analyzer shows ads.

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