Comparison

Stud + Metal Scanner vs Beam

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

Head to head
About

Stud + Metal Scanner

Instantly locate studs, screws, and nails behind walls, or measure magnetic fields (EMF) using your iPhone's built-in sensor. This dual-mode utility is perfect for DIY projects, home improvement, and scientific exploration.

Highlights
  • Stud finder mode
  • Magnetometer (EMF) mode
  • Detect studs, screws, nails, and metal
  • Measure magnetic fields in real-time
  • Graph view for field changes
  • Pause scans for precision readings
  • Re-zero sensor for accuracy
Read full description

Detect studs, screws, nails, and measure magnetic fields (EMF) instantly with your iPhone. Two powerful modes in one app: Stud Finder & Magnetometer — works entirely on your iPhone. Perfect for DIY enthusiasts, home improvement projects, tech experiments, educational purposes, contractors, engineers, and anyone curious about magnetic fields or hidden metal. Stud Finder Mode Locate wall studs, screws, nails, metal pipes, and hidden metal objects behind drywall, plaster, and panel walls. Accurate readings using your iPhone's built-in magnetic sensor. Pro Tip: Hold the bottom third of the back near the wall — that's where the sensor is. Pause scans to note field values. Re-zero the sensor anytime for accurate readings. Ideal for hanging shelves, picture frames, cabinets, mirrors, or TVs without guesswork. Magnetometer Mode (EMF Detection) Measure magnetic fields in real time with a live graph. Detect EMF levels, metal objects, and magnetic anomalies. Perfect for students, engineers, hobbyists, STEM labs, and science fairs. Level Finder Mode (New in 2.1) Turn your iPhone into a precision spirit level — no extra hardware needed. Place your phone flat on a surface or hold it upright against a wall edge to measure tilt in real time. Locks with haptic feedback and a gentle audio tone the instant you hit perfect horizontal. Rotate to landscape for a full-screen gauge with a large degree readout. Ideal for hanging shelves, mirrors, TVs, tile work, carpentry, and furniture assembly. Three-in-One Functionality Find studs, detect magnetic fields (EMF), and level surfaces — all from one app. Perfect for home DIY, construction, school labs, STEM experiments, or curiosity-driven exploration. Provides actionable, real-time feedback for home improvement and tech applications. Why Users Love Stud + Metal Scanner Clean interface for scanning walls or visualizing magnetic fields. Real-time feedback ensures you never miss studs, screws, nails, or metal objects. Graph mode provides instant visual confirmation of field changes. Safe and reliable for home improvement, DIY, and tech explorations. Lightweight and fast Perfect for casual users, contractors, and technical professionals. Ideal for detecting hidden studs, metal objects, or performing STEM experiments. Pro Tips Move your iPhone slowly along walls for optimal detection. Re-zero the sensor whenever needed for accurate readings. Combine Stud Finder and Magnetometer modes to validate readings. Bottom third of iPhone back is optimal for scanning. Use Cases & Applications Hang shelves, TVs, picture frames, cabinets, mirrors, or artwork safely. Detect metal studs, screws, nails, wall anchors, and metal pipes. Explore magnetic fields in classrooms, labs, science fairs, or DIY tech projects. Measure EMF levels for STEM projects, experiments, or educational purposes. Identify hidden metal objects, magnetic anomalies, or ferrous materials. Track magnetic field trends visually with the graph for experiments or demonstrations. Perfect for homeowners, contractors, engineers, students, hobbyists, and interior designers and renovation professionals Curious minds exploring EMF or magnetic fields, STEM classrooms, educational labs, or science fairs Why Download Dual functionality: Stud Finder + Magnetometer Visual feedback: Graph shows field changes in real time Reliable: Perfect for home, school, or lab use Sensor guidance: Bottom third of iPhone back is optimal for scanning Versatile: DIY projects, home improvement, STEM experiments, and tech enthusiasts Download Stud + Metal Scanner now to make your next project easier, safer, and more accurate. Detect studs, screws, nails, metal objects, or explore magnetic fields (EMF) - all from your iPhone! Start scanning today and experience the most versatile Stud Finder & Magnetometer utility app on the App Store!

About

Beam

Features
Read full description

Your iPhone has a magnetometer. Beam turns it into an honest stud finder: hold the phone flat on the wall, sweep slowly, and watch the gauge climb as you approach the screws that hold your drywall to the studs. When you're right over one, Beam flips green — mark it and hang with confidence. HONEST BY DESIGN Beam finds metal fasteners and infers stud lines. It will never pretend to see wood, wires, pipes or depth — no phone can. The gauge shows one real number, the magnetic field above your room's baseline, and the built-in guide teaches you to read it like a pro. FIND ONE. KNOW THEM ALL. The Stud-Line Assistant is the feature hardware finders don't have: confirm one stud with two marks, and Beam projects the standard 16-inch or 24-inch framing rhythm across your wall map. Sweep the projected lines to confirm, then drill once, right. FEEL THE SIGNAL Haptic ticks quicken as you close in — like a Geiger counter in your hand — and land with a solid thump on the hit. Adjustable sensitivity, a peak-hold Precision mode, and a bubble level for mounting. BUILT FOR THE JOB Blueprint looks, gaffer-tape labels, measurements in real units. Save your walls per room and your marks are waiting next time. Everything runs on your device — no account, no tracking, no ads. ONE-TIME $6.99. NO WEEKLY SUBSCRIPTION. The scanner is free forever. One small purchase unlocks the Stud-Line Assistant, saved walls, Precision mode and the level — less than half a hardware stud finder, yours for life. Beam is a magnetic fastener locator, not a substitute for professional detection tools. Never use any phone app to rule out electrical wiring or pipes. Terms of Use (EULA): https://arytec.ch/beam/terms Privacy Policy: https://arytec.ch/beam/privacy

Screenshots

Stud + Metal Scanner4 screens
Beam4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Stud + Metal Scanner at none against Beam's 1. Stud + Metal Scanner also leads on iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). On price, ads and device support 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. Beam sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Stud + Metal Scanner asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Stud + Metal Scanner versus Beam: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStud + Metal ScannerBeam
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 9 months—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.6 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPRADEEP CHENDURAN BALASUNDARAMLiridon Tahiraj

In-app purchases

None

Stud + Metal Scanner

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Beam

One-time1
  • Beam Pro$6.99

Questions

Is Stud + Metal Scanner free?
Stud + Metal Scanner is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Beam free?
Beam is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Stud + Metal Scanner or Beam have ads?
Neither Stud + Metal Scanner nor Beam shows ads.

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