Comparison

Magnetometer Stud Finder vs Stud Finder

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

Head to head
About

Magnetometer Stud Finder

This utility app leverages your device's magnetometer to detect metal objects like studs, nails, and screws within walls. It offers adjustable sensitivity settings for precise location finding, making DIY projects easier.

Highlights
  • Detect studs on walls
  • Accurate stud location
  • Adjustable sensitivity settings
  • Settings adjustments
  • Find metal objects
Read full description

The iPhone’s built-in magnetometer does allow apps to locate metal wall studs, nails, screws or any ferromagnetic material. This app uses the magnetometer to find the studs you need to locate. This app does work very well to find the studs on walls. * Easily detect studs on walls * Very accurate to find stud location * App has sensitivity settings * Also has settings adjustments This app will help you to easily find any studs on walls with your iPhone or iPad!

About

Stud Finder

This utility app uses your iPhone's magnetometer to detect metal fasteners behind drywall, helping you locate stud lines. Simply sweep your phone across the wall to find screws and nails, then mark the spikes to identify the stud's position for mounting.

Highlights
  • Detects metal fasteners behind drywall
  • Locates stud lines
  • Uses iPhone's magnetometer
  • Simple sweep-and-detect method
  • No ads or interruptions
Features
Read full description

Find studs behind drywall using your iPhone's built-in magnetometer. This app detects metal fasteners (the screws and nails holding your drywall to wood studs) and helps you locate stud lines behind your wall. HOW IT WORKS Your drywall is screwed into wooden studs roughly every 16 inches. This app picks up those screws by reading changes in the magnetic field as you sweep your phone across the wall. Find screws in a vertical line and you've found the stud. HOW TO USE Take your case off. Hold your phone flat against the wall. Sweep slowly left and right. When the signal spikes, there's metal nearby. Mark each spike, look for a vertical line of hits, and that's your stud. Drill a small pilot hole before you mount anything heavy. If the bit hits something solid, you're on the stud. If it punches right through, move an inch and try again. Takes 30 seconds. WHAT THIS APP CANNOT DO It detects metal, not wood. If there are no screws or nails in the wall where you're scanning, it won't find anything. It also won't work well through thick plaster, concrete, or tile. And it's not a replacement for a professional stud finder on structural work. For mounting a TV, hanging shelves, or putting up pictures on normal drywall, it works. No ads. No nag timers. No interruptions. PRIVACY No account. No tracking. No data leaves your phone.

Screenshots

Magnetometer Stud Finder4 screens
Stud Finder4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Stud Finder at none against Magnetometer Stud Finder's shown. Stud Finder also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 7 months) and monetization model (free vs ad-supported). Magnetometer Stud Finder's advantage is ratings volume (38 vs 10). On price, rating, in-app purchases and device support 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

Stud Finder holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 38 and 10 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Magnetometer Stud Finder ships an update every 7 months, Stud Finder every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Magnetometer Stud Finder versus Stud Finder: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMagnetometer Stud FinderStud Finder
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (38 ratings)4.1 (10 ratings) — better
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings38 — better10
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationAd-supportedFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSteve VeloudosMonolayer Studio

Customer experience

Magnetometer Stud Finder

All ratings28 ratings
Positive67.9%
Neutral3.6%
Negative28.6%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%

Stud Finder

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Magnetometer Stud Finder

No in-app purchases

None

Stud Finder

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Magnetometer Stud Finder free?
Magnetometer Stud Finder is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Stud Finder free?
Stud Finder is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Magnetometer Stud Finder or Stud Finder?
Stud Finder is rated higher. Magnetometer Stud Finder averages 3.9 out of 5 from 38 ratings, while Stud Finder averages 4.1 from 10 ratings.
Do Magnetometer Stud Finder or Stud Finder have ads?
Magnetometer Stud Finder shows ads; Stud Finder does not.
Which is updated more often, Magnetometer Stud Finder or Stud Finder?
Magnetometer Stud Finder ships an update every 7 months, and Stud Finder every 3 weeks. Most recently, Magnetometer Stud Finder was updated on October 24, 2026 and Stud Finder on October 24, 2026.

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