# Silica vs Source Browser for Research

Silica and Source Browser for Research are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

Both are free to download. Silica sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Source Browser for Research sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Silica ships an update every 2 days, Source Browser for Research every 3 days. Both last shipped on October 29, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Silica | Source Browser for Research |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 days** | Every 3 days |
| Size | 26 MB | 6 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 17.2 |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Taketo Fujimaki](https://appshunter.io/developer/6795041723) | [YUKIYA SHIMODA](https://appshunter.io/developer/6804373908) |

## What reviewers say

### Silica

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/silica-location-history/id6795041286)

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Silica Pro Monthly | $1.99 | per month |
| Silica Pro Annual | $17.99 | per year |
| Silica Pro Lifetime | $29.99 | one-time |


### Source Browser for Research

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/source-browser-for-research/id6806154744)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| TEXT MAP | $1.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Silica free?

Silica is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Source Browser for Research free?

Source Browser for Research is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Silica or Source Browser for Research have ads?

Neither Silica nor Source Browser for Research shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Silica or Source Browser for Research?

Silica ships an update every 2 days, and Source Browser for Research every 3 days. Most recently, Silica was updated on October 29, 2026 and Source Browser for Research on October 29, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*