# Detector Maps vs Prospector's Helper

The clearest difference is monetization model: Prospector's Helper at free with in-app purchases against Detector Maps's subscription. Prospector's Helper also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.7). Detector Maps's advantage is ratings volume (254 vs 1) and chart position (#85 vs unranked). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Detector Maps sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and Prospector's Helper sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Prospector's Helper holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Detector Maps has 254 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Detector Maps ships an update every 6 days, Prospector's Helper every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Detector Maps | Prospector's Helper |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (254 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/detector-maps/id6741421159/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/prospectors-helper/id6758110620/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **254** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 73.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 6 days | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | **#85** | — |
| Size | 115 MB | 89 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [GOLD DISCOVERY SOLUTIONS PTY LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1788016705) | [Solixar Digital](https://appshunter.io/developer/1870957637) |

## What reviewers say

### Detector Maps

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/detector-maps/id6741421159)

**Currently charting:** #85 Top Grossing · Navigation (US App Store)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Explorer Plan | $7.99 | per month |
| Monthly Plan | $11.99 | per month |
| Yearly Explorer Plan | $59.99 | per year |
| Yearly Plan | $99.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- Issues with subscription and login
- LiDAR not working in certain areas

**Requested features**

- Expand coverage to more areas
- Improve data accuracy and consistency


### Prospector's Helper

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/prospectors-helper/id6758110620)

This app helps gold prospectors track their finds and locations. Log test pan results, mining sessions, and add photos to remember productive spots. View BLM mining claims and historical mine data to discover new areas.

**Highlights:** Log test pan results with color count, Record mining sessions with gold weight, Calculate gold per hour efficiency, View BLM mining claims on map, Offline-friendly map downloads, Attach photos to locations, Export data to CSV

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Premium Subscription | $5.99 | per month |
| Annual Premium Subscription | $34.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Detector Maps free?

Detector Maps is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Prospector's Helper free?

Prospector's Helper is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Detector Maps or Prospector's Helper?

Prospector's Helper is rated higher. Detector Maps averages 4.7 out of 5 from 254 ratings, while Prospector's Helper averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Detector Maps or Prospector's Helper have ads?

Both Detector Maps and Prospector's Helper show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Detector Maps or Prospector's Helper?

Detector Maps ships an update every 6 days, and Prospector's Helper every 4 days. Most recently, Detector Maps was updated on October 16, 2026 and Prospector's Helper on September 22, 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.*