# Backseat Geologist vs Protected Left

The clearest difference is price: Backseat Geologist at Free against Protected Left's $2.99. Protected Left's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 7) and update cadence (weekly vs fortnightly). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Backseat Geologist is free to download; Protected Left costs $2.99 up front. Backseat Geologist sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Protected Left asks for nothing beyond the download.

Backseat Geologist ships an update fortnightly, Protected Left weekly. Both last shipped on November 5, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Backseat Geologist | Protected Left |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $2.99 |
| Rating | **[4.8 (85 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backseat-geologist/id6746209605/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **85** | — |
| Positive reviews | 92.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Best chart rank | — | **#55** |
| Size | 49 MB | 30 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Blake Morgan](https://appshunter.io/developer/1815745960) | [Zachary Griset](https://appshunter.io/developer/1189415283) |

## What reviewers say

### Backseat Geologist

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backseat-geologist/id6746209605)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Monthly | $1.99 | per month |
| Max Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Premium Annual | $17.99 | per year |
| Max Annual | $39.99 | per year |
| Colorado I-70 Route Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Seward Highway | $4.99 | one-time |
| Moab Utah Route Pack | $9.99 | one-time |


### Protected Left

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/protected-left/id6761083658)

**Currently charting:** #55 Top Paid · Navigation (US App Store)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Backseat Geologist free?

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

### Is Protected Left free?

Protected Left costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Backseat Geologist or Protected Left have ads?

Neither Backseat Geologist nor Protected Left shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Backseat Geologist or Protected Left?

Backseat Geologist ships an update fortnightly, and Protected Left weekly. Most recently, Backseat Geologist was updated on November 5, 2026 and Protected Left on November 5, 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.*