Comparison

RockSpin vs Hutton App

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

Head to head
About

RockSpin

Features
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RockSpin brings the polarizing microscope to your fingertips. Designed for geology students, researchers, and educators, this app lets you explore petrographic thin sections with full 360-degree rotation. Compare PPL and XPL views, inspect mineral markers, explore 3D crystal structures, browse a curated rock image catalog, and save favorites across your account. Every thin section is available at 300px at no charge. Pro ($4.99/month or $49.99/year) unlocks 500px and 700px viewing. Subscriptions auto-renew and can be cancelled in Apple ID settings. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://rockspin.app/privacy

About

Hutton App

Explore Earth's geologic wonders with this comprehensive field guide. Identify rocks and minerals using AI or manual methods, access professional geologic maps, and discover over 32,000 rockhounding sites. Document your expeditions with GPS-tagged notes and photos, and connect with a global community of geology enthusiasts.

Highlights
  • Professional geologic maps
  • Real-time data updates
  • AI rock and mineral identification
  • Manual identification mode
  • 32,000+ rockhounding sites
  • GPS-tagged trip documentation
  • Integrated geology dictionary
Features
Read full description

Unlock Earth’s geologic wonders with Hutton. Whether you are a seasoned geologist, a student, or a weekend rockhound, Hutton turns your smartphone into an easy-to-use, comprehensive geology field guide. Named after the father of modern geology, James Hutton, our app bridges the gap between deep scientific data and the joy of outdoor discovery. Explore professional geologic maps Powered by Macrostrat integration, Hutton provides a deep look at the ground beneath you. • Real-Time Data: View interpretative geologic maps that update as you hike, climb, or drive. • Formation Insights: Explore geologic units to learn about the surrounding rock’s age, lithology (rock type), formation, and stratigraphic name. • Offline Access: Headed off-grid? Download maps and take the world’s geology with you, even without cell service. Identify rocks and minerals Never leave a mystery stone behind. Hutton offers a dual-approach to identification: • Instant AI ID: Snap a photo for high-speed identification trained on thousands of verified mineral specimens. • The "Scientific Method" Mode: If you want to be certain, Hutton guides you through a manual testing prompt. Answer questions about Hardness (Mohs Scale), Luster, Streak, and Cleavage to arrive at a professional-grade identification. It’s not just an ID—it’s a geology lesson. Discover the ultimate rockhounding companion Find your next treasure with our database of 32,000+ rockhounding sites. • Know Before You Go: Get detailed info on what minerals are found at each site (Agates, Geodes, Quartz, and more). • Site Insights: Each rockhounding location includes AI-generated identification tips, collector notes, and geological summaries to help you know what to look for. Document your journey • Document your expeditions with our "Trips" feature. Save photos of outcrops and write field notes directly to your GPS-tagged path. • At the end of your journey, Hutton generates a beautiful, organized report summarizing your discoveries and the geologic formations you traversed. Who is Hutton for? Outdoor Enthusiasts: Add a new layer of depth to your adventures. It’s like having a professional geologist at your side. Students & Educators: A powerful companion for geology field camps. Turn every hike into a laboratory. Hobbyist Rockhounds: Use our site guides and ID tools to build a world-class collection. Professional Geologists: A quick-reference tool for stratigraphic units and a digital backup for field observations. A global geology community Virtual Collection: Catalog your finds in a beautiful digital gallery and photo album. Geology Dictionary: Master the terminology of Earth Science with an integrated glossary of thousands of terms. Community Hub: Share your trip reports, ask questions, and connect with a community that shares your passion for the Earth. Frequently asked questions • Does it work in remote areas? Yes! Our offline mapping and trip tracking are designed for remote field work. • How accurate is the identification? Our AI is constantly learning, but our "Physical Test" mode ensures you have the tools to verify every find personally. • Is my data private? Your field notes and trip locations are yours alone. You only share what you choose to post to the Community Tab. Download Hutton today and uncover the stories written in stone. Terms of Use: https://node-js-template-geokidzinfo.replit.app/terms Privacy Policy: https://node-js-template-geokidzinfo.replit.app/privacy

Screenshots

RockSpin4 screens
Hutton App4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: RockSpin at none against Hutton App's shown. Hutton App's advantage is device support (3 vs 1). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases 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. RockSpin sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and Hutton App sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RockSpin ships an update fortnightly, Hutton App every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on September 17, 2026 and June 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
RockSpin versus Hutton App: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRockSpinHutton App
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—2 — better
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 9 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size80 MB61 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperWOOHYUN JEONGeoKidz LLC

In-app purchases

3 purchases

RockSpin

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Pro Yearly$99.991 Year
One-time1
  • 1,000 Credits$14.99
3 purchases

Hutton App

Subscriptions3
  • Hutton Premium Monthly3 Days trial$5.991 Month
  • Hutton Premium Six month3 Days trial$29.996 Months
  • Hutton Yearly Monthly3 Days trial$47.991 Year

Questions

Is RockSpin free?
RockSpin is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Hutton App free?
Hutton App is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do RockSpin or Hutton App have ads?
Hutton App shows ads; RockSpin does not.
Which is updated more often, RockSpin or Hutton App?
RockSpin ships an update fortnightly, and Hutton App every 9 days. Most recently, RockSpin was updated on September 17, 2026 and Hutton App on June 10, 2026.

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