Comparison

Detector Maps vs SGS MinFinder

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

SGS MinFinder

Features
Read full description

SGS MinFinder puts British Columbia's entire MINFILE mineral inventory in your pocket - and keeps it working when the cell signal doesn't. 16,000+ OCCURRENCES, FULLY OFFLINE Every MINFILE occurrence is bundled in the app in a local database. Browse, search, and filter the whole province with no data connection. Pre-download topographic map tiles for the area you're heading to and the basemap works offline too. BUILT FOR THE FIELD - Map every occurrence across BC, clustered so the big picture is instantly clear. - Filter by status - Producer, Past Producer, Developed Prospect, Prospect, Showing, Anomaly - each colour-coded on the map. - Search by name or MINFILE number and fly straight to any site. - Topographic basemap built for the backcountry: shaded relief, 20 m contours, BC resource roads, parks, and bedrock geology. - Switch to satellite view for aerial imagery, with contours, roads, and labels still drawn on top. THE FULL GEOLOGICAL RECORD Tap any occurrence for the official details: status, host rock, deposit class, elevation, latitude/longitude (decimal and DMS), and UTM coordinates in both NAD27 and NAD83. One tap opens the official BC MINFILE record online. NAVIGATE TO THE SITE (Premium) A live compass dial with real-time bearing and distance guides you to the exact occurrence - no trail required. DOWNLOAD YOUR REGION BEFORE YOU GO Draw a box around any area and cache its topographic tiles for offline use. Manage, reopen, or clear your downloaded regions any time. Satellite imagery streams online only and is not included in downloads. PREMIUM A one-time or subscription purchase unlocks compass navigation and the full expanded occurrence details. The map, search, filtering, satellite view, and offline region downloads are free. DATA SOURCES Mineral data: BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation (MINFILE), https://minfile.gov.bc.ca/. Basemap: © OpenStreetMap contributors, © OpenMapTiles; elevation from MRDEM-30 (Natural Resources Canada) and modified Copernicus DEM data; contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada and the Open Government Licence – British Columbia. Satellite view imagery: Esri, Vantor, Earthstar Geographics, and the GIS User Community. SGS MinFinder is an independent, third-party app. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the Government of British Columbia or any government agency. Use as a reference only. Always verify mine status, land access, and safety information before visiting any site.

Screenshots

Detector Maps4 screens
SGS MinFinder4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: SGS MinFinder at none against Detector Maps's shown. Detector Maps's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs monthly) and chart position (#49 vs unranked). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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 SGS MinFinder sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Detector Maps ships an update every 6 days, SGS MinFinder monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
Detector Maps versus SGS MinFinder: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDetector MapsSGS MinFinder
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (261 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews73.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings261 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 days — betterMonthly
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscription—
Best chart rank#49 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.1 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size115 MB79 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGOLD DISCOVERY SOLUTIONS PTY LTDSimple Geospatial Solutions Inc.

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

SGS MinFinder

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
3 purchases

SGS MinFinder

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly7 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Yearly7 Days trial$14.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime$29.99

Questions

Is Detector Maps free?
Detector Maps is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SGS MinFinder free?
SGS MinFinder is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Detector Maps or SGS MinFinder have ads?
Detector Maps shows ads; SGS MinFinder does not.
Which is updated more often, Detector Maps or SGS MinFinder?
Detector Maps ships an update every 6 days, and SGS MinFinder monthly. Most recently, Detector Maps was updated on October 21, 2026 and SGS MinFinder on October 16, 2026.

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