Comparison

Prospector's Helper vs Rockhounding.org

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

Head to head
About

Prospector's Helper

This app helps gold prospectors track their finds and locations. Log test pan results, mining sessions, and add photos to remember productive spots. View BLM mining claims and historical mine data to discover new areas.

Highlights
  • Log test pan results with color count
  • Record mining sessions with gold weight
  • Calculate gold per hour efficiency
  • View BLM mining claims on map
  • Offline-friendly map downloads
  • Attach photos to locations
  • Export data to CSV
Features
Read full description

Prospector's Helper is the ultimate field companion for gold prospectors. Track your prospecting locations and results, track your mining results, view BLM mining claims, and never lose a productive spot again - no registration required.. TRACK YOUR PROSPECTING • Log test pan results with color count and pan size • Record mining sessions with gold weight, time worked, material processed and equipment used • Calculate gold per hour efficiency ratings • Add notes and observations for each location • Add photos so you can back get back to the exact spot OFFLINE-FRIENDLY DESIGN It is your option whether to securely sync your data to the cloud as a backup in case your phone is lost or broken. All your data is stored locally first, then syncs to the cloud when you're back online if you turn cloud sync on. Map and layer downloads (premium) means you can go to remote locations and take your maps, active claims overlay and more with you. BLM MINING CLAIMS LAYER View BLM mining claims directly on the map. See claim names, types, acreage, and filing dates. Use the active claim overlay to show you where you are not allowed to prospect. Use closed claim locations (premium) to look for spots that might still be productive that you could claim for yourself. HISTORICAL MINES DATA Discover over 80,000 historical mine locations from USGS data (premium). Filter by commodity (gold, silver, platinum, copper) to find promising areas near proven deposits. POWERFUL ANALYTICS • Total gold recovered and hours worked • Gold per hour efficiency ratings • Show test pan markers color coded by color count for easy visualization • Highlight the spot on the map with the best test pan result • Top panning results ranked by color count • Top mining results ranked by gold per hour PHOTO DOCUMENTATION Attach photos to any marker directly from your camera or photo library. Document your finds, equipment setup, or terrain features. SHARE WITH FRIENDS • Add friends via email search, phone contacts or QR code scan • Share markers with friends • See shared markers on your map DATA Export Export markers and data to CSV files to load into spreadsheets and other apps or just as a data backup. PREMIUM FEATURES • Download specific map areas for off grid use • Live gold spot prices with value estimates for your finds • Drop a pin anywhere on map (not just current location) • Full resolution photo storage • Marker and data import • Advanced analytics • Export analytics to PDF • Ad-free experience • Support future development PRIVACY FOCUSED Your prospecting locations are private by default. Cloud sync is optional - you control whether your data leaves your device. Share only what you choose. Download Prospector's Helper and start documenting your gold prospecting adventures today!

About

Rockhounding.org

Discover over 52,000 rock collecting sites across North America with an interactive map. Log your finds, connect with other collectors, and access detailed land information. Offline maps ensure you can explore even without a signal.

Highlights
  • 52,000+ collecting sites
  • Interactive map
  • Offline map functionality
  • Site details and filters
  • Logbook and collection builder
  • Community forum and marketplace
Features
Read full description

Every place people collect rocks, minerals, gems and fossils in the United States and Canada, on one map you can carry into the field. Rockhounding.org is the largest free rockhounding map there is, and this is it as an app. Find a site. Open the map and see what is near you, or search by name, county, state or mineral. Every site has what is found there, how to get in, what to bring, the land it sits on and what other collectors have logged. Filter to verified sites, fossils, paid digs, mineral occurrences or community submissions. Know the ground you are standing on. Members see BLM, Forest Service, state and tribal land under the map, active mining claims with the holder's name, and Canadian protected areas where collecting is prohibited. Long-press anywhere to drop a private pin. Take it offline. Save an area and its sites once, then use the map with no signal. Field sites rarely have coverage. Keep a logbook. Record visits and finds with photos, build your collection and see it on the map. Share a find with the community, or keep it private. Talk to other collectors. Photo gallery, forum, club directory and a calendar of shows, digs and meetings. Buy and sell specimens and gear in the marketplace. The app is free with ads. Supporter ($14.99 per year) removes ads and adds the trip planner. Pro ($59.99 per year) adds satellite, topo and LiDAR layers, land status, mining claims and offline areas. A rockhounding.org membership bought on the website works in the app, and one bought in the app works on the website. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Terms of Service: https://rockhounding.org/terms Privacy Policy: https://rockhounding.org/privacy

Screenshots

Prospector's Helper4 screens
Rockhounding.org4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Prospector's Helper at every 4 days against Rockhounding.org's every 11 days. On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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. Prospector's Helper sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month and Rockhounding.org sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Prospector's Helper against 5.0 for Rockhounding.org. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 4 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Prospector's Helper ships an update every 4 days, Rockhounding.org every 11 days. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Prospector's Helper versus Rockhounding.org: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterProspector's HelperRockhounding.org
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings)5.0 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings24 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 days — betterEvery 11 days
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.115.1
Further details — not scored
Size89 MB77 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSolixar DigitalRockhounding Inc

Customer experience

Prospector's Helper

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Rockhounding.org

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Prospector's Helper

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Premium Subscription$5.991 Month
  • Annual Premium Subscription$34.991 Year
2 purchases

Rockhounding.org

Subscriptions2
  • Supporter$14.991 Year
  • Pro$59.991 Year

Questions

Is Prospector's Helper free?
Prospector's Helper is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Rockhounding.org free?
Rockhounding.org is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Prospector's Helper or Rockhounding.org?
Prospector's Helper and Rockhounding.org are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 4 ratings respectively.
Do Prospector's Helper or Rockhounding.org have ads?
Both Prospector's Helper and Rockhounding.org show ads.
Which is updated more often, Prospector's Helper or Rockhounding.org?
Prospector's Helper ships an update every 4 days, and Rockhounding.org every 11 days. Most recently, Prospector's Helper was updated on October 31, 2026 and Rockhounding.org on October 31, 2026.

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