Comparison

Bone Zone vs Mineralia

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

Head to head
About

Bone Zone

Features
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Discover the prehistoric world hiding beneath your feet with Bone Zone โ€” interactive geological maps that turn every hike into a journey through deep time. EXPLORE THE GEOLOGY AROUND YOU โ€ข Detailed geological maps for all 48 continental states โ€ข Formations colored by geologic age using international standard colors โ€ข GPS centers the map on your location and your state โ€ข Tap any formation to learn what it is, how it formed, and how old it is COULD YOU FIND A FOSSIL HERE? โ€ข Every formation gets a plain-language fossil verdict โ€” from "Hot Spot" to "Wrong Rock" โ€” based on its rock type and geological age โ€ข See documented fossil finds near the exact spot you tapped, from the Paleobiology Database's scientific records โ€ข Fossil pins show real discoveries: species, age, and taxonomy โ€ข Browse actual museum specimen photos and records from collections across the country (iDigBio) LEARN AS YOU EXPLORE โ€ข Interactive learning center covering rocks, ages, and fossil types โ€ข A geological timeline from the first life to the ice ages โ€ข Field safety guidelines and collecting ethics โ€ข Clear guidance on laws and land access โ€” know before you dig BUILT FOR REAL ADVENTURES โ€ข State data downloads on demand and stays on your device โ€ข Perfect for rockhounds, students, educators, scout troops, and anyone curious about what's underfoot โ€ข Promotes responsible exploration and Leave No Trace principles FREE WITH ADS โ€” REMOVE THEM FOREVER Bone Zone is free to use, supported by small banner ads that never cover the map. An optional one-time purchase removes all ads permanently. No subscriptions, no accounts. From shark teeth on beaches to ancient coral reefs in your local hills, start your journey through deep time today. Privacy: https://bone-zone.app/privacy-policy.html Terms: https://bone-zone.app/terms-of-service.html

About

Mineralia

Features
Read full description

Mineralia is a comprehensive reference encyclopedia dedicated to minerals and gemstones, designed for geology enthusiasts, collectors, and the naturally curious. Explore 190 minerals through detailed, richly illustrated entries โ€” from quartz to diamond, from amethyst to turquoise. What you'll find in Mineralia: Each mineral is presented with its physical properties (Mohs hardness scale, luster, color, crystal system, density), an accessible scientific description, its geological formation process, its main localities around the world, and its practical uses. Instantly search for any mineral by its French or English name. The built-in search bar filters results in real time, bringing you to the information you need in seconds. A clean, uncluttered interface designed for comfortable reading on iPhone and iPad. No internet connection required โ€” all data is bundled within the app. All photos are sourced from royalty-free libraries (Wikimedia Commons) with full author attribution.

Screenshots

Bone Zone4 screens
Mineralia4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Mineralia at none against Bone Zone's 1. Mineralia also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 10 months). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. Bone Zone sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $9.99 per year. Mineralia asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Bone Zone ships an update every 10 months, Mineralia every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences ยท 3 level
Bone Zone versus Mineralia: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBone ZoneMineralia
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 10 monthsEvery 3 weeks โ€” better
AdsYesNo โ€” better
In-app purchasesYesNo โ€” better
DevicesiPhone, iPad โ€” betteriPhone
Requires iOS18.218.0 โ€” better
Further details โ€” not scored
Size8 MB30 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBrandon TateArnaud DALBIN

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Bone Zone

Subscriptions1
  • Bone Zone Premium3 Days trial$9.991 Year
None

Mineralia

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Bone Zone free?
Bone Zone is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Mineralia free?
Mineralia is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Bone Zone or Mineralia have ads?
Bone Zone shows ads; Mineralia does not.
Which is updated more often, Bone Zone or Mineralia?
Bone Zone ships an update every 10 months, and Mineralia every 3 weeks. Most recently, Bone Zone was updated on October 28, 2026 and Mineralia on October 25, 2026.

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