Comparison

Detector Maps vs Backseat Geologist

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

Head to head
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.

About

Backseat Geologist

This app provides audio explanations of the geology visible from your car. Explore geological features, create custom routes, and learn about earth history on the go. Offline access and adjustable audience settings enhance the learning experience.

Highlights
  • Audio descriptions of geology
  • Interactive geologic map
  • Custom route creation
  • Offline map and data access
  • Adjustable audience settings
  • Points of Interest (volcanoes, earthquakes)
  • Background audio playback
Features
Read full description

Ever wanted a geologist to ride along and explain what's outside your window?  Being a geologist myself, I went on vacation and wished I had someone to read geologic map descriptions as we drove across the countryside. When I got home, I started working on Backseat Geologist to do just that! Backseat Geologist will give you audio descriptions of the rocks below your feet or wheels as you travel. - Browse the geologic map and tap around to see details about the geologic units that are near you - Start an Explore session and get updates on the geology below you as you move around - Overlook Mode scans the geology of what you can see and tells you all about it - Create Routes to listen to the geologic story of your commute, road trip, or family outing. Routes combine the context of each geologic unit you pass to create a more cohesive set of descriptions. - Routes can be saved offline for areas with bad service - Long tap on the map to drop a pin and tap again to create a route to that location - Adjust descriptions for any audience from kids to geology enthusiasts - Geology data is powered by Macrostrat, USGS, GEM, Paleobiology DB, and more - Explore Points of Interest of recently active volcanoes and historic earthquakes - Choose between different base maps - View regional stratigraphic columns - See the paleogeography of Earth when rocks formed - Audio plays from the background and doesn't interfere with navigation or other apps - Works well with other playing audio like music or podcasts - Widget for the geology of your current location - Live activity shows on Lock Screen, Dynamic Island and CarPlay - App Intent gives Siri access to geology information from the app without opening it. Say "Hey Siri, use Backseat Geologist" Premium and Max users get: - Improved audio quality - Topographic map background layer option - Download geologic map tiles and data for areas of the map to use offline - Custom route creation - Import GPX files in custom routes - See further in Overlook Mode Download Backseat Geologist and discover the millions and billions of years of Earth history rolling by your window. If you find any bugs or issues please contact me at support@backseatgeologist.com Privacy Policy: https://backseatgeologist.com/privacy-policy Terms of Service: https://backseatgeologist.com/terms-of-service End User License Agreement: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Detector Maps4 screens
Backseat Geologist4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Backseat Geologist at free with in-app purchases against Detector Maps's subscription. Backseat Geologist also leads on ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (92% vs 73%). Detector Maps's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs fortnightly) and chart position (#91 vs unranked). 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. Detector Maps sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and Backseat Geologist sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 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 — 4.7 for Detector Maps against 4.7 for Backseat Geologist. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 263 and 81 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 73% of Detector Maps's written reviews are positive against 92% of Backseat Geologist's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Detector Maps ships an update every 6 days, Backseat Geologist fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Detector Maps versus Backseat Geologist: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDetector MapsBackseat Geologist
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (263 ratings)4.7 (81 ratings) — better
Positive reviews73.0% of reviews92.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings263 — better81
Update frequencyEvery 6 days — betterFortnightly
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#91 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.1 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size115 MB48 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGOLD DISCOVERY SOLUTIONS PTY LTDBlake Morgan

Customer experience

Detector Maps

All ratings254 ratings
Positive92.9%
Neutral1.6%
Negative5.5%
Written reviews74 reviews
Positive73.0%
Neutral2.7%
Negative24.3%

Backseat Geologist

All ratings81 ratings
Positive93.8%
Neutral3.7%
Negative2.5%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive92.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative7.7%

Bugs and requests

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

Backseat Geologist

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Detector Maps

Subscriptions4
  • Monthly Explorer Plan$7.991 Month
  • Monthly Plan$11.991 Month
  • Yearly Explorer Plan7 Days trial$59.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Yearly Plan7 Days trial$99.991 Year
6 purchases

Backseat Geologist

Subscriptions4
  • Premium Monthly1 Month trial$1.991 Month
  • Max Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Premium Annual$17.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Max Annual$39.991 Year
One-time2
  • Seward Highway$4.99
  • Moab Utah Route Pack$9.99

Questions

Is Detector Maps free?
Detector Maps is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Backseat Geologist free?
Backseat Geologist is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Detector Maps or Backseat Geologist?
Backseat Geologist is rated higher. Detector Maps averages 4.7 out of 5 from 263 ratings, while Backseat Geologist averages 4.7 from 81 ratings.
Do Detector Maps or Backseat Geologist have ads?
Detector Maps shows ads; Backseat Geologist does not.
Which is updated more often, Detector Maps or Backseat Geologist?
Detector Maps ships an update every 6 days, and Backseat Geologist fortnightly. Most recently, Detector Maps was updated on October 24, 2026 and Backseat Geologist on October 24, 2026.

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