Comparison

Stud Finder Pro vs Stud Finder

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

Head to head
About

Stud Finder Pro

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Measure twice. Drill once. Stud Finder Pro turns your iPhone's built-in magnetometer into a precision wall scanner, the same sensor that powers your compass, calibrated to find the nails and screws inside drywall, plaster, and lath. Take the case off. Hold the top of your phone flat to the wall. Slide slowly. The signal climbs as you cross a screw, peaks dead-center, and drops on the other side. Mark the peak. That is your stud. Built for the moment between picking up the drill and committing to the hole. WHAT'S INSIDE A real-time magnetic-field readout in microteslas. A clean amber arc gauge that sweeps from idle to peak as you cross metal. Audio feedback that climbs with the signal so you can scan without watching the screen. Haptic confirmation at peak. A two-second auto-calibration that zeros out the room before you start. THE WAY IT WORKS Your iPhone has a magnetometer near the top edge, the same sensor your compass app uses. Stud Finder Pro reads it forty times a second, watches for spikes against your calibrated baseline, and shows you exactly where the metal is. Wood studs themselves are not magnetic, but the screws and nails that fasten drywall to them are. Find the screw. The stud is centered around it. HOW TO GET ACCURATE READINGS Remove your phone case. Magnetic accessories, metal-rich cases, and watches all skew the magnetometer. Hold the top edge of your phone flat against the wall. Slide slowly and steadily. Calibrate first by holding still for two seconds in an open area away from metal. WORKS ON Drywall, plaster, lath, and most painted wall surfaces. Concrete walls with rebar register strong signals everywhere, which is not what the app is for. DOES NOT DETECT Wood directly. Plastic pipes. Live electrical current. Non-magnetic metals like copper or aluminum. This is a ferromagnetic detector, not an X-ray. OFFLINE-FIRST PRIVACY No accounts. No advertising trackers. The magnetometer data never leaves your device. Anonymous usage analytics through TelemetryDeck only, no personal identifiers, no cross-app tracking. PRO TOOLKIT Pro unlocks unlimited scans, calibration memory, and the full-precision experience without any session limits. One payment, yours forever. Terms of Use: https://cmlapps.github.io/studfinder/terms.html Privacy Policy: https://cmlapps.github.io/studfinder/privacy.html Support: https://cmlapps.github.io/studfinder/support.html

About

Stud Finder

This tool transforms your iPhone into a stud finder using its built-in magnetometer. Detect metal fasteners behind walls for secure installations. Offers real-time feedback and calibration for accurate results on various surfaces.

Highlights
  • Real-time magnetic field detection
  • Visual strength meter with haptic/sound feedback
  • Calibration mode for accuracy
  • Works on drywall and plaster
  • Distraction-free interface
Features
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Hang it right the first time. Stud Finder turns your phone into a precise stud detector. Whether you're mounting a TV, hanging a heavy mirror, or building floating shelves, knowing exactly where the studs are means a clean, secure install — no patching mistakes, no wasted anchors, no second-guessing. HOW IT WORKS Stud Finder uses your iPhone's built-in magnetometer — the same sensor that powers the compass — to detect the metal screws and nails that fasten drywall to the studs behind it. Slowly slide your phone across the wall and watch the strength meter spike when you cross a stud. Same physics professionals rely on, now in your pocket. WHAT YOU GET • Real-time magnetic field detection • Visual strength meter with haptic and sound feedback • Calibration mode for accurate readings on any wall • Clean, distraction-free interface built for one-handed use • Works on drywall, plaster, and most interior surfaces • No ads, no clutter — just the tool you need WHY IT WORKS Modern construction uses metal fasteners every 16-24 inches to attach drywall to wood or metal studs. The magnetic signature these create is small but consistent — and your iPhone already has the sensor to read it. Stud Finder amplifies that signal and translates it into clear visual and tactile cues you can trust. FREE VS PREMIUM The free version lets you try basic detection. Premium unlocks full detection power, advanced sensitivity, and unlimited scans for serious DIY work and professional use. PERFECT FOR • DIY home renovation • Mounting TVs and heavy artwork • Installing shelves and cabinets • Childproofing furniture • Quick checks before drilling TIPS FOR BEST RESULTS • Remove your phone case for maximum sensitivity • Calibrate before each session for an accurate baseline • Move slowly and consistently across the wall • Cross-check by scanning both vertically and horizontally We built Stud Finder to be the simplest, most reliable wall scanner on the App Store. When you're standing on a ladder with a drill in your hand, you don't need a complicated app you need an answer. Privacy Policy https://appdoro.com/privacy Terms of Use (EULA) https://appdoro.com/terms

Screenshots

Stud Finder Pro4 screens
Stud Finder3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Stud Finder Pro at none against Stud Finder's 2. Stud Finder's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, ads, device support 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. Stud Finder sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 7 days. Stud Finder Pro asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Stud Finder Pro ships an update every 2 months, Stud Finder every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Stud Finder Pro versus Stud Finder: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStud Finder ProStud Finder
PriceFreeFree
Rating—3.9 (7 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—7 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Freemium
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS17.0 — better18
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB24 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCloud Motion Lab LLCAppdoro LLC

In-app purchases

None

Stud Finder Pro

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Stud Finder

Subscriptions2
  • Weekly Access$5.997 Days
  • Weekly Access With Trial3 Days trial$5.997 Days

Questions

Is Stud Finder Pro free?
Stud Finder Pro is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Stud Finder free?
Stud Finder is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Stud Finder Pro or Stud Finder have ads?
Both Stud Finder Pro and Stud Finder show ads.
Which is updated more often, Stud Finder Pro or Stud Finder?
Stud Finder Pro ships an update every 2 months, and Stud Finder every 3 weeks. Most recently, Stud Finder Pro was updated on September 29, 2026 and Stud Finder on October 7, 2026.

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