CrowdMag vs Emlid Flow
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
CrowdMag
This app allows users to measure and contribute to scientific research on Earth's magnetic field using their smartphone. It offers features for recording magnetic data during various activities, including flights, and provides tools for data visualization and analysis.
- Measure magnetic field data
- Contribute to scientific research
- Record data during flights
- Visualize data on maps and graphs
- Magnetic calculator with WMM2020
- Live magnetic compass
- Export data via email/Google Drive
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Introducing CrowdMag's newest feature: Flight Mode, which lets you contribute to scientific research by measuring the magnetic field as you fly around the world. To get started, simply provide your itinerary on the CrowdMag app, and you'll be able to turn your flight into a scientific expedition. Check out this step-by-step tutorial for measuring data while flying: https://geomag.colorado.edu/crowdmag-flight-mode-tutorial . CrowdMag is an app that lets you measure the local magnetic field using your smartphone. You can view the data as a graph or a map in nanotesla units. CrowdMag measures the Z (downward component), H (horizontal intensity), and F (total intensity) magnetic field components. You can use CrowdMag for measuring magnetic data during outdoor activities, while flying, or to conduct your own experiments. You can also share it with NOAA to help scientists better understand Earth's magnetic field. If you're going for a walk, run, or other outdoor activities, you can use CrowdMag to measure the magnetic data along your path and save it as a "magtivity." And, if you get a new phone, don't worry! You can export a backup of your CrowdMag data and save it on your computer. This way, if you have to reset your phone or switch to a new one, you can import your backup and continue using CrowdMag without losing your data or progress. CrowdMag also has a magnetic calculator that provides magvar (declination), the magnetic field's dip angle, total magnetic field, and other magnetic field components based on the latest World Magnetic Model (WMM2020). Some of the other features of CrowdMag include creating your own magtivities, customizing recording frequency and location accuracy, exporting your data via email or Google Drive, and seeing generalized crowdsourced magnetic data from other users. And, before we forget, CrowdMag also features a compass that distinctly shows both true and magnetic north. As an added feature, the compass also has a 3D display with an optional audio output - check it out! CrowdMag features: * Create your own magnetic activity (called a "magtivity") * Measure data while flying * Customize recording frequency and location accuracy to your preferences * View your magnetic data on an interactive Google Map * Graph your data as a time series line chart * Check the quality of your data by comparing it with the World Magnetic Model (WMM) * Export your data as a CSV file * Clear stored data on your phone when you want to start fresh * Choose to share your data with NOAA (optional) * See generalized crowdsourced magnetic data from other users * Use the live magnetic compass for 2D and 3D rendering * View information about the current solar magnetic disturbance * Use the most up-to-date magnetic field model (WMM2020) * Export your data via email, Google Drive, or other options * Export a CrowdMag backup to save your contributions' status and data * Import your CrowdMag backup (works across different phone platforms) Visit https://geomag.colorado.edu/crowdmag to see crowdsourced magnetic data .
Emlid Flow
Manage Emlid Reach receivers and perform positioning tasks like data collection and mapping. Offers free and pro plans for various survey workflows, with cloud sync and team collaboration features.
- Receiver management (base/rover setup)
- RTK/PPK configuration
- Point collection and stakeout
- Import/export various file formats
- Coordinate system library
- Cloud sync with Emlid Flow 360
- Team collaboration
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Emlid Flow is a companion app for Emlid Reach receivers, designed to manage devices and handle all your positioning tasks in one place. The app has Free and Pro plans for a wide range of applications, from ground control point collection to topographic mapping and earthworks. What you get with the free version: - Full control of your receivers: set up base and rover, update, configure RTK and PPK. - Point collection and stakeout. - Import/Export CSV, DXF, KML, or Shapefile files. - Built-in coordinate system library with over 1000 systems. - Ability to create custom coordinate systems. - Base shift. - Cloud sync with Emlid Flow 360. - Team collaboration with up to 10 members. Emlid Flow 360 is the web platform where you can access all data from the app and vice versa! Sync works instantly, allowing you to prepare, manage, and export projects in the office without manual file transfers and even with the receiver at hand. For more advanced survey workflows, Emlid Flow offers Pro Plan: - Collect and stakeout lines and polygons. - Stakeout reports and collect rules for accuracy control. - Survey codes to better differentiate data. - DTM support. - Auto collection tool to free your hands. - Inverse & Traverse for geometry calculations. - Team collaboration with an unlimited number of members. And much more with continuous updates! Try Pro Plan with a 30-day trial available on all platforms. Terms of use: https://emlid.com/legal/#apps-terms Privacy Policy: https://emlid.com/legal/#privacy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: CrowdMag at none against Emlid Flow's 1. CrowdMag also leads on rating (4.3 vs 3.9). Emlid Flow's advantage is update cadence (every 10 days vs every 2 months). On price, review sentiment, 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
Both are free to download. Emlid Flow sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $24.99 per month. CrowdMag asks for nothing beyond the download.
CrowdMag holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 24 and 35 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 53% of CrowdMag's written reviews are positive against 55% of Emlid Flow's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
CrowdMag ships an update every 2 months, Emlid Flow every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | CrowdMag | Emlid Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.3 (24 ratings) — better | 3.9 (35 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 52.9% of reviews | 55.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 24 | 35 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 10 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 18 MB | 205 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | University of Colorado Boulder | Emlid Tech Kft. |
Customer experience
CrowdMag
Emlid Flow
In-app purchases
CrowdMag
No in-app purchases
Emlid Flow
- Pro Plan Individual Monthly1 Month trial$24.991 Month









