# Detector Maps vs RockHoundR

The clearest difference is monetization model: RockHoundR at freemium against Detector Maps's subscription. RockHoundR also leads on ads (none vs shown). Detector Maps's advantage is review sentiment (73% vs 42%). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Detector Maps sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and RockHoundR sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Detector Maps against 4.7 for RockHoundR. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 267 and 151 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 73% of Detector Maps's written reviews are positive against 42% of RockHoundR's.

Detector Maps ships an update every 6 days, RockHoundR every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Detector Maps | RockHoundR |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (267 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/detector-maps/id6741421159/reviews) | **[4.7 (151 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rockhoundr-rockhounding-map/id6761459822/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **267** | 151 |
| Positive reviews | **73.0% of reviews** | 41.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 days** | Every 9 days |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Freemium** |
| Best chart rank | **#76** | #98 |
| Size | 115 MB | 179 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 16.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [GOLD DISCOVERY SOLUTIONS PTY LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1788016705) | [Ruby Glint Technologies Co., Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1764085782) |

## What reviewers say

### Detector Maps

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

**Currently charting:** #76 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


### RockHoundR

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rockhoundr-rockhounding-map/id6761459822)

**Currently charting:** #98 Top Grossing · Navigation, #136 Top Free · Navigation (US App Store)

Discover thousands of rockhounding, prospecting, and fossil collecting sites with detailed information on legal digging areas and expected conditions. Plan your trips with weather forecasts and nearby amenities, and keep a private log of your finds and routes. The app works offline, ensuring you can access crucial data even without cell service.

**Highlights:** Thousands of collecting sites, Legal digging area overlays, Detailed site information, Trip planning tools, Private find log, Custom route drawing, Offline map functionality

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro \| Monthly | $6.99 | per month |
| Pro \| Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Pro \| Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Pro \| Yearly | $49.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Detector Maps free?

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

### Is RockHoundR free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Detector Maps or RockHoundR?

RockHoundR is rated higher. Detector Maps averages 4.7 out of 5 from 267 ratings, while RockHoundR averages 4.7 from 151 ratings.

### Do Detector Maps or RockHoundR have ads?

Detector Maps shows ads; RockHoundR does not.

### Which is updated more often, Detector Maps or RockHoundR?

Detector Maps ships an update every 6 days, and RockHoundR every 9 days. Most recently, Detector Maps was updated on November 4, 2026 and RockHoundR on November 5, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Detector Maps or RockHoundR?

Detector Maps currently peaks at #76 in the App Store charts, and RockHoundR at #98. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*